Dangerous Deception

The man visibly brightened. He’d always had a soft spot for James’s little sister. “I’ll do that, although your brother-in-law may not thank you if she starts putting in overtime to accomplish it.”

“I’ll let her manage Jones.” Although his sister’s husband was overprotective enough to meet with even her brothers’ approval, Ana had a gift for wrapping the toughest man around her little finger. James daily counted himself lucky that the lion’s share of responsibility for her could now be shared.

“What’s the latest on the arrangements for the Technology Expo?”

“I’ve turned over the final details to Tucker.” Tucker Rappaport, the man’s son, interned with their company during summers and college vacations. He had one semester left before earning his M.A. When he was finished, James hoped to hire him for good. It wasn’t only friendship and loyalty that had him making a place for the young man at his company. The kid was brilliant, with a mind for cryptography that was staggering in one his age.

“Have him coordinate with Jones. I’ve put him in charge of securing the physical grounds. Better yet, get a meeting set up for the three of us.” Regardless of the questions that the anonymous notes elicited, nothing would distract him from business. Projects could be delegated, but his stamp would be all over them, down to the last detail. When he’d picked up the reins of his father’s company, with the ink still fresh on his master’s degree from M.I.T., he’d also donned a heavy mantle of responsibility, vowing to stay true to his father’s vision for the business. In that way, at least, he hadn’t failed him.

But now it was the failure of a far different kind that haunted. If there was any truth to the last couple notes, he’d allowed three people’s deaths to go unchallenged. He’d let down his brothers. His sister. Not to mention the man standing next to him.

Truth wasn’t often delivered anonymously, he reminded himself, jaw tightening. The messages were the mark of a coward, one who wished to inflict pain while staying in the shadows. No one had ever been allowed to strike at the Tremaines without certain reprisal. The sender would learn that all too soon.

James checked his watch, shifting his thoughts firmly back to business. “What about the Micro Secure? Everything set to showcase it at the expo?”

Rappaport nodded. “Corley and Soulieu have been running it on mobile phones, PDAs and wireless equipment, and haven’t hit a glitch yet. I think it’s going to generate a lot of interest when we unveil it.”