The Research Project

Chapter Seventeen

Byron, who had been listening to the opposing lawyer deliver his opening statement, had only just switched his phone back on during the court recess. He was used to getting bombarded with messages after having it off for an interval, but even this was a bit ridiculous. People were starting to look at him as his phone continued to beep. He checked the most recent message, which was from Penny.

Message: There has been an incident. Call as soon as you can.

Byron didn't usually panic, he was cool, calm and collected and that's why he was a top lawyer. But he didn't like the sound of this. Why hadn't Penny just told him what had happened in her message? He found a quiet corner and made the call.

"Penny, talk to me."

"Ms Evert was here. She was looking for Madison and Sarah."

Fuck. "Did she find them?"

"No, she only had a photo of the two of them when they were talking to Finley in the foyer yesterday. She didn't actually know their names so Eva on the front desk told her to take a hike."

"Fuck," Byron swore out loud this time. "How did she obtain the photo?"

"It's all over social media," Penny explained. "Some random person who was in the foyer took a photo of Finley yesterday afternoon and innocently posted it on their Facebook page. It's now gone viral."

"What about Lainey?" he asked, realising she could also be targeted.

He had hoped yesterday that he was only over reacting to the situation, that no one had seen Finley with Lainey. But if Sarah and Madison had been photographed, Lainey might have been, too. Finley was too well known and shit seemed to follow him wherever he went.

"She didn't ask after Lainey and there doesn't seem to be any photographs in circulation."

Byron breathed again. "Get Aiden or Luke on the phone," Byron instructed. He waited while Penny transferred him through.

"Boss," came Aiden's rough voice down the phone.

"I need you to scan our CCTV footage in the foyer and find out who took the photo, see if there's anything we should be concerned about or if it was just a random posting. Get someone to keep a close eye on Sarah and Madison and I need you to get Lainey out of the building and back to my house. Tell her I'll call her in two hours."

"Copy," Aiden said and hung up.

Byron liked Aiden, he was no nonsense, just like him. He had to get back into the courtroom, he was presenting. He just hoped everything would be alright. Byron looked about, court was back in session and he was still standing out here. Fuck.

"Mr. Vidler, please approach the bench," said the judge when he slipped inside.

Byron moved toward the bench to speak with the magistrate, not really liking the look on her face.

"You're five minutes late," Justice East said.

She was a diminutive woman, with soft features, but her mind was razor sharp and her tongue matched. she reminded him of Judge Judy and Byron did not want to get on her bad side.

"My apologies, your Honour," Byron said.

"Care to explain why you've held up my court?" she asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Ah, there was a security threat at my firm."

"Is everyone alright?"

"Yes, I have my security team on it. Again, I apologise. I won't let it happen again."