Chapter 14 - The Parking Garage
Lauren told me Delaney planned to meet a recruiter representing a rival advisory firm.
I did not go.
That surprised her.
“You don’t want your files back?”
“I want the police to handle stolen property.”
I gave the information to the detective already assigned to our reports.
Two hours later, Delaney was stopped in a downtown parking garage.
The folder was in his car.
So was the missing Pierce laptop.
That answered several questions.
Not all of them.
The forensic review later connected Delaney’s laptop to the spoofed domain, the anonymous threats, and the email containing our stolen competitor information.
He had tried to force Pierce’s selection by removing me from the meeting, discrediting me if necessary, and making the account dependent on Ethan.
Lauren had helped with the first part.
She had not known about the burglary.
That difference probably saved her from a criminal investigation.
It did not save her job.
Pierce Wealth suspended her while the firm reviewed the work-credit and retaliation allegations.
The next day, Lauren showed up at my restaurant before opening.
Tasha asked if I wanted security.
“No. Leave the door open.”
Lauren sat at the same table where she had spilled the wine.
No expensive smile this time.
No phone.
“I got fired,” she said.
I waited.
“Charles called this morning.”
I still said nothing.
“You’re happy.”
“No.”
She looked almost offended.
“You hated me.”
“I hated what you did to me.”
“What’s the difference?”
“A lot.”
Her eyes dropped to the table.
Then she whispered, “They found Nicole’s file.”
I knew what was coming before she said it.
“Delaney kept everything.”
May you like
She swallowed.
“And there were more people than Nicole.”
