Daniel crouched down next to my desk so he was at eye level with me.
“Mr. Bennett. Do you lock your computer when you step away?”
“Usually.”
“Usually?”
“I went down to the lobby for coffee last night. Around eleven-forty. The machine on our floor was broken.”
“How long were you gone?”
“Five minutes. Maybe six.”
“That fits the transfer window exactly,” Priya said through the speaker.
Gavin folded his arms. “Well. There you go.”
I looked at him.
Something about the way he said it bothered me. Not fear. Not confusion.
Certainty.
“You knew I went for coffee,” I said slowly.
His face stiffened. “What?”
“You knew. You were standing right there. You said, ‘If you’re going downstairs, bring me one.'”
Gavin laughed. It came out wrong. Too high. “This is absurd.”
“Wait,” said Priya.
Everyone went quiet.
“The files didn’t come over the network. They were transferred from an external storage device. A USB flash drive, plugged directly into this laptop.”
“Can you identify the drive?” Daniel asked.
“Serial number, yes. Every device leaves one in the system log.”
Gavin took a step backward.
It was tiny. Almost nothing. Half a step.
But I saw it.
So did Eleanor.
So did Daniel.
“Mr. Mercer,” Daniel said pleasantly. “Do you own any flash drives?”
“Everyone in this building owns flash drives.”
“Of course.” Daniel turned to the agency’s IT manager, a nervous guy named Kevin who had been hovering by the copy machine. “Kevin, would you mind taking a look in Mr. Mercer’s office?”
Gavin’s voice cracked. “You cannot search my office!”
Eleanor didn’t even raise her voice.
“Halston still holds active due-diligence access rights under the letter of intent you signed in April, Mr. Mercer. Section seven. Full access to company systems and premises until formal termination. Which my attorneys will be delivering later this afternoon.”
“That doesn’t give you the right to…”
Behind us, Gavin’s office door opened.
Kevin walked out holding a small black flash drive between two fingers like it was a dead mouse.
“It was plugged into his desktop computer,” Kevin said. He looked like he wanted to disappear.
Gavin stared at it. “I’ve never seen that before in my life.”
Twenty minutes later, Priya confirmed it.
The serial numbers matched.
The drive that put Halston’s confidential files on my laptop at 11:42 the night before had been sitting in my boss’s computer the whole time.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
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Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.