The Insider

Chapter 12

"Shit!" The man uttered under his breath, bumping into the mail room guy as he turned a corner.

"Sorry, Sir," the young man said.

"It's alright," the man said, forcing a smile. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

The man continued to walk, ducking his head, and trying to avoid other people in the halls. It was a little past 5 o'clock and more and more employees are flooding in, trying their to be the first to board the elevator.

The man reached the access door to the emergency fire exit. He opened it and let himself out. He then dug out his pocket, searching for a cigarette. He lit one, sucking the smoke in hard.

As he blew the smoke out, he then reached for his phone and dialed the number of his contact from EMC.

"Lawrence got away," the man announced immediately once the other person picked up.

"How?" The other person demanded.

"I don't know, somebody might have tipped him," the man blew another puff of smoke. "He got his laptop with him."

"So? What are we going to do? We've lost our only chance at unlocking this fucking program data!" The other guy shouted at the other line.

"No shit, Sherlock," the man said calmly, pressing the end call button.

* * *

"Lawrence, thank god you're OK," Karen said. "Where are you?"

"Better not to tell, Karen," Lawrence said, walking over the the stool by the kitchen island. He glanced over to see that Miranda has followed him. He sat himself down and placed his elbows on the marble counter. He slumped his shoulders and laid his forehead on one of his palms. "Please tell me they don't believe that lying piece of shit."

"Actually they kinda do, Renz." Karen was gentle as she speaks. "I think they're trying to put the blame on someone and this incident offered them a convenient option."

"But what have I to gain with that? I mean, I didn't do it Karen. You know I didn't.

"I worked my entire life to develop Pheobe, why would I sell it to some stranger. I love Lindbergh. I gave my entire life to them, Karen. You know I did...and they give me this?

"God, this is unbelievable!" Lawrence shouted, hitting his fist on the counter top.

Miranda's eyes widened in shock. She stared as she watched her boss' apparent frustration. She stared as he pursed his lips, trying to steel himself. He then grabbed his hair and turned away from her when he noticed her staring. Lawrence then walked a few steps away, placing his free hand at his back pocket.

"Just stay low for the moment," Karen said "at least until all this is sorted out," she continued, trying to calm him down.

"What's their action? Please tell me, Karen."

"They've called the police, they're out looking for you. They're trying to tie you down for corporate espionage. Also, they're looking into putting the blame on you for raising EMC's stock sales, set you up for insider trading."

"Fuck them," Lawrence said, shaking his head. His eyes are full of anger, but his voice and stance sounds and looks defeated.

He sighed. "Thanks for tipping me Karen. If it wasn't for you, I'd be behind bars by now."

"It's nothing kiddo. We're in this together," Karen replied. "I just wish you'll be able to fix this."

"I do hope so, too," Lawrence replied.

"Just call me when you need me, I'll do anything to help you, son," Karen said.

Lawrence smiled bitter-sweetly. She's never called him son before, but despite all Karen's flaws, she really has been a mother figure in Lawrence life.

"Yeah, about that Karen..." Lawrence's voice trailed. "Can you kindly check a CCTV footage for me please."

"Yeah, why?"

"There's a breach in one of our office workstations," Lawrence began. "It happened at around 12:15 AM of January 31.

"Can you kindly look who's responsible for it. I think it's connected to all this scandal that we're facing"

"Yeah, sure," Karen said. "I'll get back to you later."
Miranda watched as Lawrence ended the call. He then walked over and sat himself at the stool opposite her.

"Was Pheobe stolen?" She asked.

Lawrence was amazed at her acumen. She's heard so little and yet she already pieced out what happened. There's no point hiding it now, he thought. He then nodded, confirming her hypothesis.

"And you're suspected of doing it?" She asked again.

"Yes."

"So what am I to do with it? Why am I being accused of stealing, too?" She asked, puzzled as to why she's being dragged into this conundrum.

Racking her mind, it all hit her. She made an audible gasp. "Oh my god!"

"Are you trying to pass the blame on me?" She asked Lawrence, pointing a finger at him.

"Right now, I am not Miranda," Lawrence said calmly.

He studied her, trying to figure her out. Her reaction is not of someone who did something bad. She seems genuinely offended when he accused her of stealing files from the office. Lawrence mind was working overtime, but he decided to hold his judgement, at least until Karen confirms who actually stole the files.

"You are being accused of a totally different act, the specifics of which I'm not entirely sure of at the moment. But trust me, I'm going to find out" Lawrence spoke again, glancing at her.

Miranda stared at him, "I told you over and over, I did not do anything." She maintained eye contact, her face intent on proving him wrong. Lawrence stared back at her, not showing any sign of letting go as well.

The two of them almost jumped out when Miranda's phone suddenly rang.

She looked down on it and saw the name of her landlord on the screen.

"Who's that?" Lawrence asked.

"It's my landlord," she said, looking back at Lawrence.

"Don't pick it up," he commanded.

"Why?"

"No one should know where you are," he answered. "Let your voicemail pick it up."

After a few seconds, the phone stopped ringing and Miranda then opened her voicemail.

"Miranda," the landlord said. "There are police here at the front desk. They have a warrant for your arrest!

"Where are you girl, and what have you done? They're now in your apartment, searching it out. I couldn't stop them. Oh my God!" he sounded exasperated. "Surrender yourself to the police at once!" He finished, ending his call.

Miranda's hands flew to either side of her head.

"Oh my fucking god! What have I done?"