The specialist explained that the documents had been transferred using an external storage device.
“A flash drive?” Daniel asked.
“Yes.”
“Can we identify it?”
“Serial number, yes.”
Gavin moved backward slightly.
The movement was so small that someone else might have overlooked it.
But I noticed.
So did Eleanor.
Daniel turned toward him.
“Mr. Mercer.”
Gavin stopped.
“Do you own any external drives?”
“So does everyone in this building.”
Daniel nodded.
“Certainly.”
Then he addressed the IT manager.
“Could you check Mr. Mercer’s office?”
Gavin’s voice rose.
“You cannot search my office.”
Eleanor looked at him.
“Halston still has active due-diligence authority under the acquisition agreement you signed.”
“That doesn’t give you the right—”
Before he could finish, the office door opened.
The IT manager emerged carrying a small black flash drive.
Gavin’s expression changed immediately.
“I’ve never seen that.”
The IT manager looked uncomfortable.
