Chapter 8 - THE FIRE
Hale Systems headquarters was evacuated at 1:42 p.m.
Marcus watched from the hospital television as firefighters smashed windows in the executive records wing.
Avery swore under his breath.
"They're destroying evidence."
Marcus called security chief Owen Price.
Avery looked at him.
"Who has access to that floor?"
"Executives. Legal. Security."
"Who controls security?"
"Owen."
The fire was mostly contained by the time they arrived.
The records room was blackened.
Vivian's locker door hung open.
A fire investigator crouched near the wall.
"Accelerant."
"Owen!"
Inside, six monitors showed frozen camera feeds.
Owen was gone.
Avery opened it.
Inside were printed photographs of Marcus and Khloe.
Khloe's obstetric clinic.
The hospital.
A schedule listed every prenatal appointment for the past four months.
"Isabella had her watched."
Avery turned a page.
"No."
Surveillance services billed to Hale Systems Risk Management.
Marcus stared.
"I never approved that."
"What device?"
Avery looked around.
"Phone? Computer? Car?"
Ten minutes later he found remote-management software hidden under a system profile.
"Someone had access to messages, location, microphone permissions."
Marcus felt violated in a way he had never experienced.
Every private conversation with Khloe.
Avery asked, "Who set up your company phone?"
"Owen."
They searched Owen's office.
714.
Marcus stopped breathing.
Khloe's hospital room.
Avery turned the key over.
Isabella's voice came through first.
"If Khloe loses the baby, Marcus will fall apart."
Then Owen answered.
"And if she doesn't?"
May you like
Isabella paused.
"Then we make sure she does."
