“So, they’re no longer sticking to targeting girls from a single department,” I angrily say. “Or with no families.”
“Mahesh can’t be behind this. He wasn’t friends with either of them. I’ve been hanging out with the guy, so I’m sure.”
“So, we have no leads. It can be anyone in my company.”
“Or perhaps it’s an ex-employee.”
“The fact is that the case has escalated out of our control. If I don’t go to the police, it’ll make me appear suspicious. Every girl was an employee of mine.”
“It’s wise if you approach them. Give all the info that you have and let them investigate. As soon as the culprit hears about it, he is bound to panic and make a mistake. It’s our best bet to catch him.”
He’s right. If they’re becoming cocky in choosing girls with families, they will slip up, especially when they’re under scrutiny.
“I still need you to keep working here to guard Iris.” He nods. Curious, I quirk a brow. “No longer suspecting her?”
For the first time, mirth reflects in his dark eyes. “You seem to like her stalker tendencies just fine.”
“Stalker tendencies?” I act clueless.
I’m not fooling him, though. “The public parks and streets have cameras. Just saying.”
“How long have you known?”
“Longer than you have.”
That stuns me. “And you didn’t think to mention it to me?”
“I’ve seen the way you look at her. It’s the one I’ve seen on countless men. Once it’s there, the woman is it for them. There’s no swaying you, no matter how crazy her ass is. So, I didn’t bother wasting my energy.”
“Fair enough.”
Nothing more to discuss, he leaves.
I pick up my phone to make some calls and fix the mess before any more lives are in danger. Whether it’s the police that catches the man responsible or Zenith, justice will be served by me.
Chapter Thirty
Iris
My heart is lodged in my throat as I wait for Harshita in her office.
I think she’s purposely taking her time to increase my anxiety.
In her opinion, my relationship with Kian will compromise my ability to investigate the case. She’ll believe I’m biased when I claim that he’s innocent. My word won’t be enough unless I have concrete evidence. Nothing short of the name of the real culprit will be proof to make her believe me.
For all I know, she’s going to fire me today. However, she chose me for a reason. Plus, with the information she’s shared with me, she wouldn’t risk letting me go for the fear that I might join any rival company. But the NDA I’ve signed will prevent it.
A frustrated sigh rises inside my chest. I push it down, gulping in steady breaths.
Just when I think I can’t take the wait anymore, the door swings open behind me. Harshita’s heels click on the sleek floor as she passes me and rounds to sit behind her desk. Pushing her glasses up to her forehead, she fixes her impassive gazeon me. “Hello, Iris. How have you been? I’m sorry about your grandfather’s passing.”
“Thank you. I’m doing fine.”
Her quota of small talk filled, she gets straight to the point. Something I both hate and like about her. “One of the most important rules of going undercover: never get close to the target or the suspect, which could put everything in jeopardy. I thought you were smarter than that.”
I take the jab, expecting it. “Are you taking me off the case? I’d like to point out that the case is still intact. I haven’t said anything to Kian, who shouldn’t be a suspect because he’s innocent.”
“Says the woman who’s in love with him.”
