Alicia

To say I was puzzled by Sandy's text would be an understatement. I expected myself to be one of the last people Sandy would ask for help. Which made me wonder if it had something to do with CyberSecure. Either way, I responded that I would help if I could. We ended up agreeing to meet at a coffee shop not far from CyberSecure. It was the same one Colin and I went to together but I tried not to let the location bother me.

Arriving a few minutes early, Sandy was already there, sitting in the same booth I shared with Colin. So much for not letting it bother me. Ignoring the ache in my chest, I slid in to sit across from her. "Hey, this is a surprise."

When Sandy looked up from her coffee, I almost gasped at her appearance. Gone was the elaborate hairstyle, instead her hair hung at her shoulders. Bags sat under her eyes and her face looked gaunt, like she hadn't eaten for days. "Sandy, are you alright?"

She shook her head slowly, her eyes misting over. "It's awful Alicia. I'm sure you've heard but Mr. Evans thinks that I was the one who broke into his office."

"What? But why would he think that?"

Sandy blinked at me in surprise. "Have you not talked to Mr. Evans recently? Or anyone at the office?"

I shook my head. "Colin dropped by my office the other day to...give me a check for my services. He said they caught the person responsible but he didn't say who."

"I was the only one who had access to his office. Apparently that was all the evidence they needed." Reaching over, she grabbed my hand. "I didn't do it Alicia. I need this job. I didn't know who else to turn to."

"I'm not sure how I can help," I said. Any weight that I carried with Colin would be gone now. I doubt he would even talk to me, but I might be able to try, for Sandy's sake. "Do you want me to speak to Colin on your behalf?"

Sandy looked resigned. "You know Mr. Evans would never go back on a decision he'd made."

There was some truth to her words. Once Colin made up his mind, especially when it came to his company, it would be difficult to change it. "But if you're innocent Sandy, then surely he'll want to know. What if the real culprit is still at CyberSecure?"

"I think I know who the real insider is. I think it's Amir."

Amir? "That sounds like a pretty big leap. What would he have to gain from breaking into Colin's office?"

Sandy shrugged. "I'm not sure. But didn't you find it odd how concerned he was over Casey? I think he was doing it to pin the blame on her. But when she had an alibi, he had to find another scapegoat. I guess that turned out to be me."

I would admit, it made some sense. Amir had been very interested in Casey's behavior. I just thought it was an infatuation at the time. "Okay, so what do you want to do about it?"

Sandy went quiet, almost too quiet. "I need you to help me gather some evidence."

"What sort of evidence?"

"Anything that will prove it's Amir and not me. I don't think Mr. Evans will believe anything I have to say unless I have some proof to support it."

She was right on that point. "I still don't see where I'm supposed to come in. Sandy, I don't even work in the building anymore. My contract is finished."

Sandy pressed her lips into a thin line that they disappeared altogether. "I want you to come into the office with me after hours and search Amir's desk. You seem to know him better than anybody there. I can't do this alone Alicia."

I found myself at a loss for words. Sandy asked a great deal. It was too much. I couldn't go behind Colin's back, not after everything we had just been through. "Sandy, I'm sorry, but I can't. It wouldn't be right."

"Colin would understand. Once we caught Amir, he'll be thankful we intervened."

Out loud, Sandy's words made sense, but there was a nagging in my spirit that was telling me this was very wrong. "Sandy, I understand you wanting to clear your name and getting your job back, but there has to be a better way. Sneaking around after hours is just going to make matters worse. What if you're caught? What then?"

The desperation in Sandy's eyes was almost palpable. "It's a risk I have to take."

"No, it's not." How could I make Sandy see that by choosing to do it under her own strength, she'd fail. It was a tough lesson I learned the hard way. "Think of your family. You should be thankful Colin didn't have you arrested. But if you're caught this time Sandy..." I paused to let my meaning sink in.

Sandy's face began to crumble in on itself as she started to sob. Burying her face in her hands, it was hard to hear her over her cries. "I don't know what else to do."

I reached over the table and rubbed her arm. "We'll figure it out. I know Colin can come across as harsh for a boss but really he's a softie under that crusty exterior." My mind flashed to all the times we laughed together, like at the overzealous Keurig machine. I pushed the memory aside. Now was not the time.

Grabbing some napkins, Sandy wiped her nose. "Thanks Alicia, you've always been a good friend." The words seemed to make Sandy cry harder.

I closed my eyes and began to pray. Over Sandy and her situation. I prayed that God would provide for all of her needs. When I opened my eyes, Sandy was staring out the window, her eyes hollow. This was someone who was without hope. It was a scary picture. "Sandy, let me talk to Colin. At least get him to hear you out."

Sandy shook her head. "Not yet. You were one of the few who actually got close to him. But for me, I feel like he hardly gave me a second glance"

"I understand." And I really did. Colin always kept people at arms length. I know now it's because of all the times he had been hurt. But I hoped now he would be beginning to see how it affected the people around him.

I rose from my seat. "I have to get back to work. Will you reach out if there's anything else I can do?"

Sandy nodded without looking at me. I could tell she was disappointed but I had to stand by my convictions.

+++

Colin

"Sir, we lost her."

I banged my hand on the coffee table. I had been pacing around my apartment all evening, waiting to hear how the drop off went. I had practically begged Rowan to let me come along, but he said I would only get in the way. When the call came through, I expected to hear that the blackmailer had been caught, but I didn't expect things to go this awry.

"How could you have lost her?" It took every bit of self-control to keep the reproof out of my voice. I could understand the thief running off, but how did Sandy escape as well?

"It must have all been pre-planned. We were trying to keep our distance, to risk tipping the guy off. Mrs. Lee walked into the crowded food court and then disappeared when a large group walked by." I caught the faint words of Rowan cursing under his breath. "He timed it just right. We searched everywhere. She must have escaped through a back exit."

"If it even is a he," I mumbled under my breath. This was not how it was supposed to go down. "He must have been onto us. Or figured out that the plans were fake. Do you think Mrs. Lee could have double-crossed us?"

"It's quite possible," Rowan said. "Either way, she's missing and we're back to square one."

I expelled a hard breath of air through my nose, trying to keep my temper in check. It would do no good losing my head. "So what do we do now?"

"He must still be after your software. If he bailed, why have Mrs. Lee disappear? I don't think this is the last of him Mr. Evans."

Whoever this person was, male or female, it was obvious they knew what they were doing. My software may be worth a lot but I never thought someone would go to such lengths as this to acquire it.

"An arrest warrant has been put out for Mrs. Lee. We find her, we find him."

The thought brought little pleasure. What Sandy must be feeling right now. When I confronted her in my office, she looked so frail and afraid. And now she was on the run from the law. My chest tightened at what her family must be thinking. They're probably scared. Though not as scared as Sandy right now, I was sure.

"He's tenacious I'll give him that," I said, running my hands through my hair. "Have you doubled security on the satellite office?"

"Done. No one get's in or out of there without our knowledge."

None of this was making sense. What use was Sandy to the blackmailer now that we knew she was working for him? He had something planned and it was killing me that we didn't know what it was. "I hate that we have to sit and wait for him to spring whatever trap he has planned."

"That's basically all we can do. Unless you can think of anyone who had it out for you."

I laughed at the idea. "This is Toronto Rowan, not some Hollywood crime drama."

Rowan chuckled. "Believe it or not sir, but you are in a crime drama." Then he turned serious. "Except this one is very much real. And could have serious consequences."

He didn't have to tell me twice. I sacrificed everything to build this company. I wasn't going to let some crazed maniac take it away.

Sacrificed everything..."Be sure to contact me if there are any updates Rowan." After I hung up I stared at the back wall, my mind churning. Air, I needed air. I exit out onto the balcony, relishing the summer breeze. As nice as it felt, I couldn't escape the facts. I had sacrificed everything for my company and I ended up sacrificing Alicia for it.

I leaned over to place my arms on the railing and watched the city life below. Alicia's words were starting to make more sense to me. I had my million dollar company but no one to share it with. And it was very lonely.

What would happen if this criminal did steal my newest software? The question surprised me. Of course I didn't want them to steal it, just on principle alone, but CyberSecure would go on as it always had. Was it really worth losing Alicia over? Granted, I never had her, but at least I would still be in her life. We had become friends before I threw her under the bus.

I remembered the story of the prodigal son. His situation was slightly different in that he had nothing left that prompted him to return home. I still had everything.

I laughed out loud into the night air. I didn't have everything. I had my company but I was just as hungry as when the son wanted to eat the pigs slop. I was starving for relationship. To be around people.

The revelation did little to soothe my soul. The question was, what did I do about it? I got the tiniest nudge to pray, to ask God for help. I shook my head vigorously. After everything I had done, pushing God away again and again, there was no way He would want me.

A picture, clear as day, filled my mind. It was of the son returning and the father rushing down to meet him with open arms. The image brought me to my knees. God had always wanted me, even when I tried to run far away from him. Pressing my head against the railing, I cried the tears that I held back for the last ten years. And then I cried out to God.