Sam’s future still rested partly in the hands of this disappointed man. But there was nothing Emily could do except trust that Ian’s integrity was real. “I need to get back to the office,” he said at last. “Do you want a ride home or are you staying?” “Take me home,” Emily said. “I don’t want to sit here alone.”
At her building, Ian gave her a quick update and promised to stay on top of things. “If this works, Vince will be in jail within a week, and you can sit around waiting for your prince in peace,” he said with open irony. “Thank you, Ian,” Emily said. “Sam and I owe you more than we can say.” “You think I’m going to sabotage this?” he asked, reading her face. “Relax. I’m not that guy.”
His words calmed her somewhat. Ian did seem like a man with principles, and Emily prayed she wasn’t wrong. Earlier that morning, she had called Vince and told him she was making progress. That evening, she was supposed to check in again. By then, Richard would have fed false route information to his deputy. If Greg was the leak, Vince would know quickly.
“Mr. Vaughn, sorry to call so late,” Emily said sweetly when Vince answered. “I’m calling about Sam. Any movement?” “Thank God you called,” Vince said quickly. “I just heard the route changed. Do you know anything about that?” Panic was obvious in his voice.
“That’s the first I’m hearing of it,” Emily said, sounding genuinely surprised. “Don’t worry. I’ll meet with my contact tomorrow and get the details.” “I’ll be waiting,” Vince snapped, then hung up. Emily allowed herself a small smile. Ian had been right. Greg was talking, and Vince was rattled.
Then another thought hit her. If Greg was Vince’s source, why had Vince sent her to Greg in the first place? That made no sense. Emily decided not to overthink it and called Richard. He would understand the office politics better than she did. Maybe the leak was someone else after all.
“Hello? Sorry to bother you,” she said when he answered. “No bother,” Richard said. “Something wrong?” “I’ve been thinking,” Emily said. “Something doesn’t add up. Vince knows the route changed, but not the details. Was Greg given the full updated plan?” “Of course,” Richard said. “He drew it up himself.”
“Then think about it,” Emily said. “Greg knows everything. Vince only knows that something changed. How does that happen?” “That’s… a fair point,” Richard said slowly. “So maybe it isn’t Greg. But no one else knows about this except the two of us.” “Thanks for hearing me out,” Emily said. “Maybe ask Ian what he thinks.”
Richard called Ian immediately. It took the lawyer only a moment to see the problem. “Mr. Collins,” he asked, “when was the last time your office was swept for bugs?” “Never,” Richard said, startled. “Why would it be?” “Because that’s the only explanation,” Ian said. “Your office is almost certainly wired. That would explain why Vince knows a conversation happened but not what’s on paper.”
“Understood,” Richard said. “I’ll have someone check first thing in the morning.” Ian was right. The next day, a sophisticated listening device was found under Richard’s desk. He stepped outside to call Ian with the news. Ian told him not to remove it and not to let on that it had been discovered. That night, Emily called Vince again.
“I’ve got the updated route maps,” she said. “Excellent,” Vince replied. “When can you bring them?” “I’ll email scans tonight,” Emily improvised. “I’ll come in person in a few days. I want to visit my aunt first.” “Fine,” Vince said. “Send them.”
