Jose refused to look at Elaine. She glared at him waiting for an answer. He had betrayed her and he couldn’t even give her the courtesy of looking at her. She should have trusted her head and not her gut.

“Ms. Ramos please have a seat I don’t have all day.” Nick gestured again to the arm chair facing him. Elaine hesitated unsure of where to go. She would have to get past Jose to exit the way they came and Nick to get out the window. Elaine held her head high as she walked slowly to the arm chair and threw herself down. She sat perched at the edge ready to flee when she got the chance.

“Thank you.” Nick sat back placing his elbows on the arm rests and touching the tips of his fingers together as he contemplated Elaine. She held his gaze not wanting him to see her fear.

“Elaine, you have caused me a lot of problems. I am having a hard time trying to figure out what to do with you. For one you have a lot of information on me and I can’t have you around messing things up.”

“So why don’t you just get rid of me?”

Nick chuckled. “Oh that would be easy except that everyone knows about you and me and if you go missing…well…I will be the number one suspect. Now normally that wouldn’t be a big deal to me except I need you.”

Elaine’s eyes widened. “Me? What do you need me for?”

Nick’s smile widened. “You sure do an excellent job playing the innocent victim don’t you?”

Elaine furrowed her brow confused. Nick’s smile faltered; his cool demeanor vanishing, his voice low and dangerous.

“Where is it?”

“Where is what?”

“Don’t play coy with me you know what I’m talking about. Just give it to me and nothing will happen to you.”

Elaine shook her head, shrugging her shoulders. “Nick I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Nick jerked up and slammed his fist on the desk making Elaine jump.

“The flash drive! Where is it? He gave it to you I know he did!”

Elaine put her hands up defensively. “Who gave it to me? What are you talking about?”

Jose’s calm voice traveled across the room. “Maybe she really doesn’t know Nick.” Nick flashed his eyes toward Jose. “Look Nick I was there. She trusted me. She didn’t mention anything about this flash drive.” Elaine blushed at Jose’s words. Nick thought aloud.

“So, you don’t know about the flash drive. But I’m sure that he gave it to you.”

“Who?”

Nick broke from his thoughts seeming to notice Elaine for the first time. “Mr. Durnstram of course.” Elaine’s mouth fell open. “Oh my, maybe you really don’t know. I guess he did keep it a secret then. Oh he is very clever.”

“Are you sure that he gave it to her?”

Nick’s eyes never moved from Elaine’s face as he answered Jose. “I’m positive. He told Tony he gave it to her.”

Elaine sat back and closed her eyes. She gently touched her temples willing the oncoming headache to go away. Suddenly a thought occurred to her. She had forgotten about the manila envelope that Mr. Durnstram’s lawyer gave her at the station, the one that contained the check inside. She hadn’t searched the rest of the envelope. She had assumed it was only the check but could there have been more? Her eyes popped open to Nick’s cold eyes carefully watching her.

“Ah, you’ve figured out where it could be haven’t you?” Nick smiled as Elaine tightened her lips. “Jose! Take Ms. Ramos back to her apartment and help her look for the flash drive, then bring her along with the flash drive back to me.”

“Yes sir.” Jose reached over and grabbed Elaine forcefully by the arm. “Come on let’s go.”

Elaine’s heart fluttered. She couldn’t let Nick get that flash drive.

To Be Continued…