Chapter 5
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The deputy dean position had opened up, and he'd been schmoozing relentlessly for it.
The linchpin was securing investment from Horizon Enterprises.
Horizon's chairman, Victor Morgan, was notoriously lecherous.
Julian arranged a "business dinner" with him—ostensibly to discuss investment details, but everyone in his circle knew the real purpose.
And the woman he brought along? Iris Sullivan.
I discovered this by chance, overhearing two nurses gossiping in the hospital café.
"Dr. Winters must really favor Iris, bringing her to such an important meeting."
"Favoritism? Please. Everyone knows Victor Morgan is a total sleazebag."
"You don't think..." The nurse's eyes widened as she covered her mouth in shock.
Coffee in hand, I walked toward the parking lot when I spotted Julian's car. In the passenger seat sat Iris Sullivan, carefully dressed but visibly uncomfortable.
Just as they were about to pull away, a figure stepped in front of the car.
It was Lucas Reed.
He knocked on the window. Julian lowered it impatiently. "Dr. Reed, what do you want?"
"Dr. Winters," Lucas's expression was grave, "Iris is just an intern. She has no business at that kind of event. Ask her to step out of the car."
Julian smiled thinly and stepped out of the car.
He faced Lucas, his smile dripping with contempt. "Dr. Reed, are you presuming to tell me what to do? This is my personal business. Back off."
"This concerns the safety of a young woman, which makes it my business." Lucas didn't flinch.
"Get out of my way!"
"No."
The two men squared off in the parking lot, tension crackling between them.
Iris, fearing violence, scrambled out to mediate.
While they were distracted, I seized my chance. I slipped to the other side of the car, eased open the back door, and planted a button-sized recorder in Julian's suit jacket hanging over the back seat.
Then I melted away into the shadows.
