LITMIR.BIZ

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in a configuration to be of use. Something else must be on his mind, Ian thought.

      “If you can do this, it’s going to be a wonder, Ian. Maybe we can’t prevent everything, but I’d give a lot to never read about another Lockerbie or lose another of the family to a bomb on a plane.”

      Ian knew he was referring to the death of Phil Cooper a few years ago. As it turned out Cooper hadn’t been the stellar citizen they’d thought, having died in the process of abandoning his wife and child, but that had all worked out for the best in a typical Redstone way, with new, happy beginnings for all.

      “You’re already giving a lot,” Ian pointed out. “You’re supporting this research.” And if he could just figure out what was wrong and fix it, so the material could line the cabins and holds of any aircraft as he intended, it would be worth everything Redstone was putting into it.

      “And I’m not the only one.”

      Ah-ha, Ian thought. Josh was on that horse again. “Josh, the only one even close on this is Trektech, and Baron’s stumped.”

      “He is?”

      “I was talking to a old prof of mine at Cal Tech. He said Baron’s called him three times in the last month, with wilder questions each time. He’s lost. I know there are others working on it, too, but I’ll get there first,” Ian promised.

      “I believe you. As long as you’re left alone to do it. And that isn’t what worries me.”

      “Oh?” Ian said, fairly sure now of where his boss was going with this. And the fact that Joshua Redstone, founder of the entire Redstone empire and veteran of innumerable corporate and personal battles, looked uncomfortable told Ian he was exactly right.

      “I got a call from a friend today,” Josh said. “He heard something interesting.”

      Ian knew Josh had an incredible network of people who, thanks to his penchant for lending a helping hand, were more than happy to repay him with bits of information.

      “Interesting?”

      “TriChem has had some inquiries about two of the chemical components you’re using.”

      “Two?”

      Josh smiled as Ian zeroed in on the crucial word. One might be coincidence, two was suspicious but not conclusive.

      As if he’d read his mind, Josh added, “One of them is the compound, Ian.”

      Well, that changed things, Ian thought. It wasn’t likely anyone else would need that particular combination at this exact moment in time.

      Josh’s voice was dangerously quiet. “I think we have to assume we have a leak.”

      Ian hated to agree with that summation, but he knew it was true. “You’re right,” he said reluctantly. “It’s such an odd combination.”

      “And unlikely someone else would have come up with it within a month of your breakthrough.”

      Ian grimaced. Why couldn’t he just get on with his work? He hated to think about things like this. About someone he knew, someone he worked with and trusted, betraying him.

      He glanced at his boss and saw something in his eyes that reminded him that this was a betrayal of Josh, as well. Josh, who’d earned the loyalty of everyone who worked for him. A generous, staunch ally who also made a dangerous, lethal enemy.

      “There’s more,” Josh added. “Personnel caught another one.”

      “Trying to get hired?”

      Josh nodded. “He had the perfect credentials. Would have been just what we were looking for.”

      “But?”

      “A little digging turned up a JetCal connection. Not a close one—a roommate’s brother or something—but it was there. Again.”

      This was the second time someone tied to JetCal had tried to get a job in Redstone Technologies’ research and development division. Ian knew Josh hadn’t thought much of Joe Santerelli’s business methods already, and this only confirmed he was right in his judgment.

      “I’m not sure we can make the lab any more secure than it already is, without limiting access entirely,” Ian said thoughtfully. Josh had already spared no expense in setting up safeguards for the R&D section, Ian’s work in particular, but if the leak was already on the inside, that might not be enough.

      “We may have to do that. But I’ll deal with the inside. Outside is where the real vulnerability is.”

      Ian frowned. “What do you mean?”

      “You, Ian.”

      Ian blinked. “Me?”

      “It’s not a secret that you do a lot of work at home. If they want this badly enough to try espionage from the inside at Redstone, they might try something there, too.”

      “I’ve made some security arrangements there,” Ian said. “The work will be safe.”

      Josh smiled, that gentle smile that warned Ian he’d somehow missed the point. “They might want it badly enough to come after you.”

      “That would be crazy,” Ian protested.

      Josh Redstone’s gaze never wavered. “Yes. But it’s a crazy world, my friend.”

      Nobody knew that better than Josh, Ian realized. But the idea that someone might come after him seemed too absurd to Ian to contemplate.

      “What good would I do them?” he protested. “It’s not as if I’d ever work for them.”

      “Voluntarily.” Josh’s voice was grim. “I want you to have protection, Ian, until this project is concluded one way or another.”

      Ian couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing. “Protection? You mean like a bodyguard? You’re not serious!”

      “I am, Ian. I don’t compromise when it comes to the safety of my people.”

      Ian had never seen quite that glint before in the steady gray eyes of the man who was Redstone. But he couldn’t give in to this. He liked his life as it was. He knew his own mental processes well enough to know that the kind of disruption Josh was talking about would rattle his thinking, and he’d likely never achieve a breakthrough on this project. He didn’t like change, anyway, he needed things in his personal life stable so he could free his mind to think about his work.

      “I appreciate your concern, but it’s out of the question.”

      “Ian—”

      “No,” he repeated.

      It was not, he supposed, wise to interrupt and argue with your boss, but if Josh had been the kind of man who took offense at such things, Ian knew he would have been fired long ago.

      “I mean it, Josh. Somebody around all the time, at my home and wherever I go? I can’t work or think that way.”

      Josh studied him for a moment. “And if I made it an order?”

      Ian let out a compressed breath. “Then, with great difficulty because of my tremendous respect and liking for you, I would disobey.”

      Josh’s mouth quirked upward. “I was afraid of that.”

      “Josh, I’m sorry, but—”

      Josh waved a hand at him. “Never mind. I had to ask.”

      “And I had to refuse.”

      “I understand.”

      Relieved, Ian stood up. Then he asked, “Was there anything else?”

      Josh shook his head. “Just tell your assistant to lighten up.”

      Ian chuckled. “I have. She’s a little hyper, so it hasn’t gotten through yet.”

      Josh

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