Page 2 of Fatal Conspiracy

“Yep,” Mina agreed with a nod. “He had originally said no, but they went to the bargaining table, and he finally agreed. Turns out he has a new app he wants to promote. Anyway, with him, as well as several other big-name tech gurus from your old stomping grounds, coming in for the conference, the convention decided they’d be spread too thin. They’d like us to come in and manage the tech equipment while Secure One manages the personal safety of the speakers and guests.”

“Easy enough. I can help you get everything prepped for that tomorrow.” Alayah paused, remembering information that had come across her desk about a tech conference inDuluth. “Wait. I thought that particular convention started on Thursday.”

“It does,” Mina said, biting her lower lip.

“As in two days from now Thursday?”

“Yep,” Mina agreed. “It’s extremely short notice, and I know we promise that you’ll get a few days off after a job like you just finished, but I need you on this, Alayah.”

“Who’s running point on it? I’ll get with them to see how I can help fill in holes.”

“Well, if you agree, that would be you.”

Mina wanted her to run point on a conference of this size? That was both flattering and anxiety-inducing, not to mention a lot to ask of one person in this kind of setting.

“Cal will have us covered for the security aspect, but I don’t have a full team to spare for this. We’re currently juggling too many other jobs. Cal plans to send Declan and Zac, who can pull double duty for Secure Watch and Secure One, but you’d be point for the cybersecurity aspect and equipment. You’re familiar with the tech moguls attending, so you’ll have insight into how best to approach the cybersecurity and the personal security situations. Cal’s team would appreciate any help you can give them with that as well. It’s a lot to ask, but I need you.”

Alayah nodded. “That’s not a problem, Mina. I’ll reset everything tomorrow morning and head back to Duluth with the team to prepare.”

Mina’s face contorted again, and Alayah suspected that what she was about to say wasn’t for the weak of heart. “They need you there in the morning.”

“You want us to gotonight?”

With a nod, Mina patted her arm. “I can tell you’re exhausted, so I hate asking. Had I known sooner, I would have had you stop in Duluth on your way here, but we just gotoff the planning call with them. The equipment is ready and the Secure One guys are loading everything. You don’t have to drive, either. We’ve got you booked into the hotel, but there is a mandatory meeting at eight a.m.”

She did some fast math in her head. They’d get to Duluth around 11:00 p.m., but if she slept on the way there and through the night, she’d be rested by morning. “Tomorrow is just a setup and meeting day?”

“Yes, so there will be plenty of downtime for you to rest before the convention begins.”

“Sounds fine then. If the guys can give me ten minutes to pack a new suitcase, I’m in.”

“Thank you,” Mina said with a sigh. “I’d go, but they need me here for two other jobs. You’re a lifesaver.”

“As long as I don’t have to drive, I’m up for it,” she promised. “Do you have the specs I need to know before the morning meeting?”

Mina held up her finger and pulled out her phone. She hit a button, and in seconds, Alayah’s phone beeped. “You own it. Take your time and read it over during the drive. Message me with any questions. You’re sure you’re okay with this?”

The short glimpse of the email told her that her sleeping time in the car had just evaporated, but she nodded anyway. They were a team at Secure Inc., so she would step up and do her part. Besides, she’d never had the opportunity to be the point person on a huge event such as this, which meant she’d earned her stripes at Secure Watch. She smiled, knowing that the little voice in her head that said she’d never be good enough was now silenced for good.

“Completely okay with it. If it’s important to you and Cal, it’s important to me.”

Alayah hugged Hannah Grace and waved as she left thecafeteria, the relief on her boss’s face telling her she’d made the right call. Mina didn’t need to tell her what a successful convention like this would mean for Secure Inc. It would likely garner them more work than they could ever handle without growing exponentially, which no one was averse to. First, though, she had to do her job and do it well, so she rolled her suitcase through the door of her room to repack. Home sweet home would have to wait just a little bit longer.

Chapter Two

Derek Benjamin was buzzing with excitement. His boss, Hugo Victor of Black Marlin Technologies, was scheduled to open the tech conference in less than an hour. Once he was onstage, Derek would be on his way to his cabin for a much-needed few days of rest and relaxation. Well, he’d get some relaxation time, but he’d also be working. There was no such thing as time off when you took the position as Hugo Victor’s assistant. However, it was still the first time he wouldn’t be connected to Hugo at the hip in over a year.

He glanced around the room, searching for the man he was told would meet him there, but the only other person in the room was a she. Her back was to him, but she had long, wavy brown hair curling at the tips that hung nearly to her waist. He did a doubletake when he realized she was a child, and she must be lost.

“Can I help you find someone?” he asked, worried she was looking for her mom or dad.

When she turned, he took a step back to see that she was a woman and not a child. “I’m not lost, are you?”

“Na—no,” he stuttered, waiting for his mouth to catch up with his brain. He noticed her name badge. “Alayah. That’s a pretty name.”

“Thanks,” she said, her smile bright as her blue eyessparkled. “You even pronounced it correctly, so points for that. And you are?”

“Derek Benjamin,” he said, stretching his hand out to her. “I’m Hugo Victor’s assistant. I was told to meet someone named Cal Newfellow here, so when you turned around, it caught me by surprise.”