Read Online Touching Darkness by Jaime Rush - Free Book Online Page A

hold over Darkwell’s head should anything suspicious happen to him.
    Sam saw Darkwell head down the hallway toward the winding stairs, then watched his superior pull away in his black Mercedes. He returned to the hall and tried Darkwell’s door. It was locked.
    Olivia, Darkwell’s assistant, stepped out of her office, startling him. “He’s gone for the day.”
    â€œI gave him a file earlier and realized it contained the wrong papers. You know how he gets when we make a mistake.”
    She nodded knowingly. “Hold on, I’ll get the key.” She returned a minute later and unlocked the door. “Go ahead.”
    He grabbed up the file he’d just given to Darkwell. “Let me get the other file. I’ll be right back.”
    Unfortunately, she was waiting near the door when he returned. He set the same file on the desk, reached around the doorknob, and made the appropriate motion. “I locked it. Thanks. You saved me a browbeating.”
    She smiled as she pulled the door closed. “No problem.”
    Sweet girl. She had no idea what her father was. She idolized him, always had, so it was no use warning her.
    Two hours later, he walked the long, paneled hallway to see who was around. One guard always wandered the interior in addition to the two patrolling the grounds. He doubted theinside guard knew he had no business in Darkwell’s office, but he couldn’t be sure enough to risk his life.
    His heart thudded as he turned the knob and slipped inside. The computer would be password protected. His only hope was to find something in the physical files. After checking several drawers, he found the notes on BLUE EYES, the original program.
    He turned on the copier and started with the first file. He was halfway through when he heard a noise. Adrenaline shot through him. If Darkwell found him, he’d be killed.
    He shut off the copier and cracked open the door. He heard the echo of conversation in the grand foyer, one man’s voice getting louder as he ascended the stairs. The office offered no place to hide. If he didn’t lock the door, and that was Darkwell, he’d be suspicious, especially with Sam loitering in the hallway. Reluctantly, he turned the lock, the file containing his copies tucked beneath his arm, and closed the door.
    He headed toward his office, fighting the urge to look back.
    â€œRobbins, what are you doing here so late?”
    Cringing, he turned to face Darkwell.
    â€œJust heading home.” He pressed the folder closer to his body as Darkwell’s gaze fell on it.
    â€œWhat are you working on?”
    The blood drained from Sam’s face. “Different ways to look at the statistical data.”
    â€œReally? Let me have a look.” He reached for the folder.
    Sam swallowed hard, trying to find some excuse to refuse. That would only pique his suspicions. His trembling hand dropped the folder, spilling the papers on the floor. He knelt and pulled the papers together. “They’re all out of order. I’d better get them sorted.”
    Another sound caught Darkwell’s attention. His eyes narrowed at Olivia and Nicholas Braden walking down the hallway in a serious discussion. “We’ll talk later.” Hewalked up to the two. “Olivia, can we speak in private, please?”
    Sam shoved the papers in the folder and headed down the stairs, afraid his wobbly legs would give out and send him tumbling.
    All he had to do was send Darkwell a copy of a couple papers and tell him he’d gotten everything. He would get them to his attorney. Then he would make arrangements to disappear. He’d always wanted to go to Croatia.

CHAPTER 7
    T hat evening, Nicholas set a cheese sandwich in a butter-coated pan. He didn’t like eating in the cavernous kitchen, and the dining room was even less welcoming. Most of the time, he ate in his room. His gaze went to the small table where he and Olivia had shared the cake