The next morning, Kerrigan sat fuming in her office, thinking about Kelan and his audacity. How could he just propose like that? It was worse than the last time when she was just 18. At least then she thought it was all a big joke and even the Prima had shot it down as bad timing. Kerrigan wondered what the Prima thought of all of this. For years he had talked as if he would marry Kerrigan himself, a thought that made he want to gouge her own eyes out.
Her desk vibrated, and she quickly looked around to see if anyone was in her office. Natalie had slipped out to get them both some apple cider from the breakroom, so she unlocked a hidden drawer in her desk. Inside was a phone that was silently vibrating. She slid it open to reveal a keyboard and screen.
Text:(Available tonight, 11pm. Will text a safe spot after confirmation.)
Kerrigan sighed. Her informant had agreed to meet at least. She really needed to meet in person and see if she could get him to take a risk and start digging into Kelan's personal life and not just the business. It might take him time to find the right information, but Kerrigan felt it was worth the risk. The trouble was Kerrigan needed some way to go unnoticed for this meeting. If she used a company car or any of her personal cars, people would know it was her no matter where she went. If she went out at night, she was sure to be followed by at least one person with a camera. She would have to borrow a car from one of the staff here at the office. Natalie would likely ask too many questions and was almost as high profile as she was.
Kerrigan stood and slipped to her door, she peeked out at the secretary's desk and saw a puffy-eyed Katie. Kerrigan felt bad for the poor girl. She came out and slipped an arm around her, squeezing her in a hug from behind. "I am sorry about Kelan."
"I. Well, I will be ok. He sent me flowers last night. And well, you can see he did again today. He explained it was a business meeting and I understand. You are both CEO's."
Kerrigan pulled back a bit startled. "What exactly did he tell you, Katie?"
"He told me you to talked about the future and about possible cooperation between Benedict group and Dragon Corporation. I know it's none of my business, but I think it could be really good for the company."
Kerrigan was taken about by Katie's excited demeanor and enthusiasm for the so-called merger. She seemed to have transformed from a puffy eyed girl pining over a lost love to a star struck fangirl.
"Well, at any rate, Kelan promised to make it up to me. He said you threatened him if he didn't treat me nice, so thank you for that."
"I didn't. I told him not to hurt you."
"Yes, well thank you." Katie leaned close, "If its ok, I am going to be out of town this weekend. Can we let security know that my car is likely to be in the company garage all weekend? I don't want them towing it, if possible. It will be safer here."
Kerrigan grabbed onto this thread and said, "Sure, are you planning to leave right after work? If you leave your keys with me, I will make sure security gets them, and knows I approved it."
"Really? Thanks Miss Lokir!" Katie hugged Kerrigan tight before blushing, and backing away, apparently realizing she had just hugged the CEO. "Sorry."
"No, you are fine. I hope you have a great weekend, wherever you are going," Kerrigan said, taking Katie's keys.
"I am so excited! I finally get a chance to visit the hot springs! I have been saving since I started working here!" Katie said as she turned back to her work.
Kerrigan smiled at the girlish enthusiasm. If that was all it took to excite Katie, and even someone with her salary had to save for such a trip, perhaps Kerrigan could offer more of her staff bonuses in the form of weekend passes to the hot springs for completed projects. She vowed to discuss it with the finance department later.
**
That evening, as the staff began to leave, Kerrigan bade Natalie a good night and wished her a restful weekend. She texted Breanna that she would be working late and would text her later. After the last of the regular staff left, Kerrigan began looking for Katie's car, occasionally clicking the alarm. She finally found it in the back corner of the parking garage.
Kerrigan hurried over to the older model light blue car and tried the handle. The key stuck in the lock and the handle wouldn't budge until she yanked hard. It flew open, clipping her shin.
"Shit! Damn, Abraxas, when this is over, remind me to get her a new car. Hell, even one of my old cars is better than this!" Kerrigan slid onto the cracked, cold leather seat and tried to start the car. the engine turned over several times before finally roaring to life. "How has she been driving this? Surely I pay her enough to afford more than this! If this is what she is driving, Kelan could have bribed her with a new car and gotten the whole companies financials!"
She backed out of the garage and drove down the snowy roads to a dark alley. After parking, she texted her contact. (I am available. Where to meet?)
A minute later the reply came, (5 streets down, there is an empty parking lot. Far left corner.)
She parked in the spot indicated and a minute later another car circled and stopped beside her. A man stepped out and slid into the passage seat of her car. "Hello, Miss. It has been a while."
"Dagdon," Kerrigan acknowledged.
The man sighed, "Still using that name for me, eh? Fine, well I suppose we need to keep this short. What do you need to know that couldn't wait for normal delivery?"
"What is Kelan planning?"
"What? Just like that? What's the mastermind's big plan, Dagdon? Seriously, my lady. I am good but I am not that good."
Kerrigan cracked a grin. "If not, then what am I paying you for?"
"You get a ready supply of trade secrets every quarter. You know I am worth my weight in gold. but seriously, what is this all about?"
"Kelan is here, in Velyki."
"Shit! And you called me out for a meeting? Damn you are bad at this spy business. Ok so the big man is here. Fuck!" Dagdon slammed his hands on the dash.
"You didn't know?" Kerrigan frowned.
"I knew he was planning to meet with the Prima, but I didn't realize he planned to winter here."
"So, what is he trying to do?"
"Well, he wants Dragon Corporation, but you know that. You have known that for three years. What is it you really want to know?"
Kerrigan sat back hard in the seat and sighed, "There are rumors that Kelan Benedict is not only cruel to women but that they tend to disappear after he is done with them. I want to know the truth of these rumors and where the skeletons are."
"Like the actual skeletons or just the files on the girls and the evidence if there is any?" Dagdon asked morbidly.
Kerrigan lifted one eyebrow, "There is serious cash in it if you can find actual skeletons, but I will settle for hard evidence."
"What's this all about? You seriously considering accepting an offer from him or something?"
Kerrigan smacked his arm, "Don't make me gag. No, but that bastard is circling my staff. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt and I would rather it be him than Katie."
"It will take time, and money. Give me a week. Maybe I can stir up something juicy for you by then."
"You find a body and I will make sure you have hard silver, or even gold if you like. Deal?"
"Deal. Ok, I have to go. Don't be seen. Oh, by the way, nice ride."
"Shut up and get out," Kerrigan jeered. "Oh, one more thing, find anything you can about Bayan Rail line and connections to Benedict."
Dagdon chuckled and slid out. Before he shut the door, he poked his head back in, "You never ask for easy things. Be safe, my lady. Abraxas guard and protect you and may Celia's wisdom guide you."
"Thank you, Dagdon. Abraxas's blessing upon you. Be safe."