Chapter Twelve

Hart twitched. 'It was ready, boss, I swear it was. Alistair did the test run, everything went smoothly... He showed me the results.'

'Well, Lucas,' his boss rasped, 'it's not working now, is it? And, unlike yourself, I've actually been down there and seen it, not just taken the word of Payton. Do try to remember that he's a con artist.'

'Why would he fake the results? He's got as much riding on this as I do.' Hart instantly regretted his harsh tone; disrespect didn't sit too well with his boss. 'I'm sorry, sir, I'm just a bit stressed at the moment.'

'You're not the only one, Hart,' his boss snapped. 'This is a massive project and I don't want to see it flop. I've invested everything into this machine. I've risked everything.'

All your eggs in one basket, Hart thought. 'I know, sir, and I'm sorry for letting you down. I'm going to go and have a look myself early tomorrow. I'll talk to Alvero and ask what's going on. I'll sort it all out.'

'Good,' his boss said. 'Once again, Lucas, I must remind you of the consequences of failure. I will not tolerate it.'

There was a click and Hart let out a shaky breath, placing his mobile down carefully on the bench. He looked around his kitchen and finally at the clock on the wall. It was late, much later than he'd anticipated, but he was too wound up to even consider turning in. Grabbing his coat, Hart left the house.

The pub was still open, though only a few stragglers remained inside and only a handful were conscious. Hart took a seat at the bar, not intending to stay long or even drink. He'd just needed to get out of the house and clear his head.

'Hi.' A pretty redhead had appeared beside him. She hopped up onto the stool to his left, an empty glass in her hand.

'Hi.'

The young woman ran a manicured nail around the rim of her glass, the rather vacant smile of someone who's had probably one too many drinks on her face. 'What're you doing here? So late I mean. You just came in, right?'

Hart nodded. 'My boss... He's giving me a hard time. I just needed to get out of the house for a little while.'

'I know what you mean. I broke it off with my boyfriend a couple of days ago and I just got fired.' She raised the glass and gave a lopsided smile. 'Drowning my sorrows, yada yada.'

Hart returned the smile and held out his hand. 'I'm Lucas.'

The woman put down her glass, took Hart's hand and shook it. 'I'm Laura.'