— I haven’t handed them over yet, — she said quickly. — Honestly. I only sent one email with part of the information—the client list. That was the day before yesterday. I was supposed to give them the rest tomorrow evening. We arranged to meet at a café.
Oleg Myachin leaned towards Pavel and said quietly:
— If the meeting is set for tomorrow, we should arrange a controlled delivery. We’ll document the fact that representatives of ‘Status-Tech’ received the documents. It will strengthen our position for a lawsuit.
Pavel thought about it. The idea was sound but risky.
— Vera, is this legal? — he asked.
The lawyer nodded.
— Yes, if we are acting to protect the company’s interests. We can invite a police officer as a witness. The main thing is not to provoke a crime, but to document what was already planned.
— What if they cancel the meeting? — Kirill asked.
— Then we still have proof of intent, — Vera explained. — The correspondence, the phone calls, Svetlana Andreevna’s testimony. That’s enough for a dismissal and a civil lawsuit.
Pavel looked at Svetlana. She sat hunched over, looking completely defeated.
— Are you willing to assist in documenting the transfer of the documents? — he asked.
She raised her head, and a flicker of fear appeared in her eyes.
— What do you mean? You want me to go to the meeting and…
— You go, hand over the prepared documents, and we will document the transfer, — Oleg explained. — This will prove that ‘Status-Tech’ knowingly accepted stolen information. We can sue them.
— And what will happen to me? — Svetlana’s voice trembled.
— You will be fired anyway, — Pavel said honestly. — But if you cooperate with the investigation, we might not sue you. We’ll limit it to a dismissal for cause.
— And if I refuse?
— Then, in addition to the dismissal, there will be a lawsuit for 12 million, — Gennady reminded her. — And possibly a criminal case. The choice is yours.
Svetlana covered her face with her hands. Several long seconds passed.
— Okay, — she said. — I’ll help. But only if you promise not to sue me.
Pavel looked at Vera. She nodded: such a condition could be documented in writing.
— It’s a deal, — Pavel said. — Vera will prepare an agreement. You assist in documenting the transfer, we don’t file a civil suit. But the dismissal stands.
— When is the meeting scheduled? — Oleg asked.
— Tomorrow evening, — Svetlana replied. — At the ‘Metropol’ café downtown. I’m supposed to bring a flash drive with the rest of the documents.
— Good, — Oleg nodded. — We’ll prepare an operational team. Cameras, microphones, witnesses. Everything will be recorded.
Pavel stood up.
— That’s all for today. Svetlana Andreevna, you are suspended from your position effective tomorrow. Access to work systems will be blocked. Be here tomorrow at six p.m. to receive instructions. The rest of you, prepare the documents. Gennady Lvovich, calculate the actual damages. Vera, prepare all the legal paperwork. Oleg, handle the organization of the operation. We’ll meet tomorrow at five p.m. to discuss the details.
Everyone nodded and began to gather their things. Svetlana rose, swaying, and walked towards the door. At the threshold, she turned around.
— Pavel Igorevich, — she said quietly, — I didn’t want to harm the company. I just wanted a better life.
— Everyone wants a better life, — Pavel replied. — But not everyone betrays those who trusted them to get it.
She nodded and left. The door closed behind her with a soft click.
Pavel walked to the window and looked out at the night city. Somewhere out there, in one of the offices, people from ‘Status-Tech’ were waiting for information that could give them an advantage. But tomorrow, they would get an unpleasant surprise instead.
— Do you think she won’t run? — Kirill asked, approaching him.
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