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Chapter 6 NDA

On his way out, made him sign an NDA

Yeah, I made him sign an NDA -Billie Eilish

Strolling into the building, he made a beeline for his office. Cal came in later than he wanted, but oversleeping wasn't something he planned. Sitting at his desk, he already felt exhausted. The sleep he did get wasn't very restful. That bloody dream felt so real. "Don't you want to feel me?" replaying the dream in his mind causing his blood to rush lower all over again. Get your mind out of the gutter, mate; this is a huge case, and I need to get my head on straight. and not think about a half-naked Gillian straddling my lap. He let out a frustrated groan before rubbing his eyes.

"Well, good morning, rough night?" Gillian walked in holding two cups of coffee and a stack of folders under her arm. She was wearing her emerald, form-fitting dress. looking as exquisite as usual. Leaning over his desk to hand him a cup of coffee, he could not help but gaze at her cleavage as she bent. "I saw you come in. It looked like you might need this."

"You are a Saint, darling," he said, accepting the cup greedily. Chugging half the cup in one gulp. "Had a hard time getting to sleep."

"You should have called. I could have helped you sleep," she said, causing him to choke on his coffee, letting a cough out. Does she know what I dreamed of? God she better not. She can read my face, but she's not a mind reader, is she? She looked at him puzzled before holding up the folders from under her arm.

"We received an email last night with a list of all Lavi's employees and associates. As well as the records of all of the embezzled funds from Zoe's office. It's quite a comprehensive list. Last night I was trying to prep for our meeting and read as much as I could. It definitely helped me sleep," she let out a soft laugh, "if I knew you couldn't sleep, I would have called. You would have passed out after the first page." Her infectious smile lit up her face, warming his soul. That smile of hers made every day worth coming into the office.

"No romance book you could read to me?" he teased.

"Another night, Cal," she flirted back.

Zoe entered the office unannounced. Glancing between the two and their closeness in proximity with a forced smile.

"Mr. Lavigne and his partner Elizabeth are waiting for you two in the meeting room."

"Did Heidi quit?" Gillian asked, looking at Cal, who let out a chuckle at her playfulness.

"Let's get this show on the road," he said, leaping out of his chair and grabbing the coffee from Gillians' hand and placing it on his desk. They made their way to the meeting room, Zoe in tow.

Entering the room, he saw Perry standing confidently in an impeccable maroon suit. Next to him stood a gorgeous tall slender blonde. Her platinum white hair was cut short to the jaw. Wearing high-waisted black trousers and a paisley purple shirt unbuttoned to the sternum tucked into the waist line. They looked like the epitome of what high fashion could offer.

"Doctor Lightman!" Perry smiled, reaching his hand out and shaking his hand. "Doctor Foster," the same mischievous grin spread on his face as he looked at Gillian taking her hand to his lips and kissing it. Not this shit again, Cal thought begrudgingly.

"This is my business partner Elizabeth," he said, directing his hand to his associate and introducing her.

"No last name, luv?" He studied her face, like granite not giving much of anything away.

"Just Elizabeth," she said firmly with a thin smile. Not inherently unfriendly but seemed far more serious than her acentric partner. No accent to her voice she seemed to be American to his best guess. Reaching her hand out to shake Cal's hand firmly. Turning to Gillian and letting out a coy smile.

"Doctor Foster, huh?" She hesitated before shaking Gillians hand but kept it in hers as she spoke, "You're the reason for that goofy ass smile on Perry's face all morning, I'll have you know." Teasing she turned to Perry. Gillian pulled her hand out of hers hesitantly, feeling awkward.

"What!? She is stunning," a Cheshire grin formed as she looked back at Gillian with appreciation and a hint of something else. Cal was curious if he saw that right or not. Returning her eyes to Perry. "And you haven't smiled like that in years."

"I hope you received the documents we requested to be sent last night," Deflection at its finest. Trying to put the conversation back on track, Perry asked looking between Cal and Gillian.

"Yes," the words broke slightly shaky from her voice as Gillian tried to regain her composure. "We received the list of employees, associates, and details in regards to the embezzlement."

"Right!" chiming in Cal, he spoke up. "I think it's best that we get things started with your partner here, Liz. This way!" walking out of the meeting room and heading to the cube. Everyone following closely behind.

"What is this place?" Perry questioned his eyes, which were roaming the cube with fascination.

"This is where we conduct our interviews. The cube is surrounded by cameras, as you can see. We are able to review interviews and see every microexpression someone has shown," describing with pride Gillian looked at the cube with appreciation.

"It helps them dissect interviews better," Zoe chirped in simplifying. "In a nut shell"

"Right this way, no last name Elizabeth," opened the door to the cube, signaling for Liz to take a seat.

Elizabeth locked eyes with Perry with apprehension then gazed back at Cal with a nod. Entering the cube and taking a seat. Closing the door behind her and remaining near the entrance, Cal eyed Gillian.

"Foster"

Excusing herself with a curt smile and a nod to Perry, Gillian walked over, meeting him at the closed door.

"Interesting pearing those two," he said, signaling his hand to Elizabeth and Perry.

"Notice how they were standing before we entered the room?" looking at her curiously. He had not noticed his mind had been elsewhere since he got to the office.

"Hips rotated into each other, almost touching…. They have been intimate before."

How did I miss that? Probably because you were still thinking of her straddling your lap half naked and grinding against your hips, you wanker.

"Smart and stunning, you are luv." Trying her best to conceal a smile but failing Cal opened the door to the cube. Taking the seat across from Elizabeth. She was sitting upright and proper compared to Cal's slumped figure.

"So we will start with the easy stuff. What's your last name, luv?" with his hand under his chin, looking intently at her face.

"No last name. I had my name legally changed," truth

"Why would you do such a thing like that?"

"I liked the sound of no last name," half truth, "sounds more fashion house, doesn't it? More compelling?" Her face was not showing much at all; very stoic.

"How long have you worked for Mr. Lavigne?"

"I don't work for Perry." deflection, annoyance, and contempt maybe for the question its self? Interesting

"I work "with" Perry." I'm his partner," truth and pride.

Perry was seated next to Zoe as he watched Cal question his partner. Watching the interview before him. Looking over to Gillian as stood by him.

"Is all of this really necessary? Me and Liz have been partners for going on two decades." He was curious why Cal brought his partner in to begin with.

"We have to be certain of all possibilities. I know it's not pleasant or comfortable to watch Mr. Lavigne, but we have to do our due diligence after all." Gillian assured him with a warm tone of comfort.

"Very well then... I'd prefer if you called me Perry, by the way," he said, smiling warmly.

"Perry, it is then," she returned his smile with one of her own.

Zoe glancing between the two as the she rolled her eyes in annoyance. Looking back, Cal was conducting the interview, trying to ignore Perry and Gillian.

"So tell me, Gillian... How long did you do ballet?" Looking at him in utter shock, she questioned him.

"How... how did you know I did ballet?"

"Educated guess… so how long?" He smiled lazily as he watched her.

"Educated guess?" Popping her hand on her hip, she looked back at him, studying him. "What gave it away?" her eyes squinted studying his face.

"Do you really want to know?" his accent seeping in heavy and smooth. Cooking an eyebrow, she nodded in response. "Posture was the first tell. Then, of course, legs." his eyes, trailing down her legs and back up, slowly resting on her back side. "..et le clu and ass."

"14 years" Gillian interrupts before he can add more. Blushing faintly.

"My mother wanted me to follow in her footsteps; she was a renown ballerina. It was never my passion. I wanted to play basketball funny enough, but I never had the height for it." They both laughed softly at that. "But I did it for her," she added.

He could not help but be hypnotized by her story. Looking at her, lovingly bewitched by her. _

Studying Elizabeth's face, his eyes caught the sight of Gillian out on the side of the cube next to Perry. Who was no longer looking interested in the questioning of his partner but was deep in conversation with Gillian. He could see a blush forming on her face. He watched as they laughed together.

What could they be talking about? He's spending this much money to find out who betrayed him, and he's more interested in flirting with Gillian? The anger rose within him.

"Work with, work for, basically the same thing, luv" he spoke bitterly."Would your partner agree with that statement, Doctor Lightman?" turning to look at Gillian and Perry, who are standing very close together, try to conceal a small smile on her face."When did you and Mr. Lavigne start sleeping together?" Her once present smile quickly replaced by an expression of pure outage."excuse me!?""You and Perry over there" pointing to the man in question, "when did you start having sex with one anotha?""That is hardly appropriate.""That's what we call a deflection, darling.""Does that questions have anything to do with our case, or are you just curious about Perry?" condescension was thick in her voice and annoyance on her face."both"With a huff, she started, "We slept with each other once. Almost 15 years ago now, if you must know. " Half truth. "It was a few years after we formed our partnership. The seven-year itch." truth"Just the once?""Perry is a remarkable man, clever, handsome… and not my type." Deflecting again. Maybe more than once?"Let me guess, you're into maybe the shorter type, brilliant, good-looking male doctors?" he flirted, giving her his best smoldering look."Yeah, that sounds spot on... Besides the male part," her eye brow arched watching him comprehend what she just told him."you're a…" I was right about what I saw earlier ,when she looked at Gillian she showed arousal. Bloody hell thats un expected."Like I said, your partner is stunning...Not that anything could happen, of course." Looking over again at Gillian and Perry, whispering "not with Perry marking his territory." Gillian and Perry where still talking, not hearing the words she just said thankfully.Marking his territory?! The anger bubbling up within him threatened to overtake his features. She was deflecting, doing everything she could to get around his questions. That did nothing to stop his hands from balling with anger at her words, however."oh! My apologies. Are you two? ...""Just partners and friends," he said firmly. Ya, keep telling yourself that mate, maybe you'll believe it."You and I both know you can be those things and more at the same time, Dr. Lightman. Two people working so closely for so many years, its bound to happen. Having sex was the best thing we could have done. No more wondering what could have been; we both had our answers as to what we are and where we stand""Why would you sleep with him if you're gay? So bad it turned you away from men's luv?" he attempted to divert the conversation."Yeah, that's how that works," she said, rolling her eyes. "I never said I was gay, just that he's not my type. I'm an equal opportunist. But I do tend to go for more women." truth, so bisexuality, huh?"We work so well together that we kept wondering if maybe our connection meant we would work well being even more. So years into our partnership, seven to be exact, we tried it out. After we knew it wasn't for us. We are perfect together, just not like that." Looking at her with almost disbelief but he could see what she was saying was the truth."You and your partner have worked together a very long time from what I gather. You can't tell me you guys never thought about it? Or haven't acted on it yet?" She asked curiously."Did you take the money?""Now who's deflecting doctor Lightman?"Thought about it? Constantly. Every single goddamn day. Acted on it? Only in my dreams… Do you want to know what I feel like, Cal? Stop that, mate; she's trying to get to you. And it's working because now you're thinking of your best friend in her underwear on your lap again.With a sharp arch of the brow, she continued shaking his thoughts back to the interview."No, I didn't take the money," the words coming out with spite and disgust showing. Truth? "Do you know who has taken the money?" He continued with the line of questioning."No," her firm, confident voice cut through the room. Truth? Her temper appeared to be subsiding. Her face returned to one of stone. All emotions were hidden safely away from his prying eyes. She was closing herself off and becoming very difficult to read. I am not going to get much more from her if I keep pushing."Alright then, I think we are done here, darling," breathing a sigh of relief before catching it when he added "for now."I'm going to have to watch that one. She seemed to be telling the truth, but maybe half truths? What could she be hiding?He opened the door to the cube and left, Elizabeth walked out after him. Perry rose from his seat next to Gillian. Grinning down at her before walking to his partner."What now, Doctor Lightman?""We need to start the process of interviewing your other employees. You said around 15 employees are in France? And the rest in New York, is that correct?""That's correct, I have spoken to our employees, letting them know that your team would be reaching out. Asking some questions about our company. I did not tell them any specifics. As far as we know, we are the only ones aware of the missing funds. We really don't want this to get out, Doctor Lightman". Liz answered soundly."This can not get out." Perry stated powerfully with a undercurrent of anger. Cal watched as his jaw clenched and his throat muscles tightened."The press would have a field day with this. So close to the show, they will try and destroy us." Perry begrudgingly stated, the mere idea of the story getting out caused deep fury to rise in him."Isn't all press good press, mate?""I have made it a point in my career to never let drama affect my art, Dr. Lightman. I have…." Looking at Liz, who gave him a understanding smile, he continued, "We have worked very hard to maintain that. No matter the cost. Personal or otherwise… If you have a weed, you have to remove it. Root and stem." Staring into Cals eyes seething with ferocity ."quite the visual there, Perry, here I thought I had trust issu..." Gillian interrupted him before he could piss off the designer more."We have worked for the FBI, Pentagon, DEA, and numerous private firms and clients." She walked up to him, watching as he took her words in. She approached him with a slight sense of trepidation. "We take pride in what we do, Perry. We would never release information to the press or any other sources for that matter. You have our word and our loyalty. I hope that we can gain your trust," she reassured, being sure to use his first name as he requested, and she gave him an encouraging smile. Calming him like a child, he released a breath that he did not notice he was holding. Inhaling deeply, he breathed in, letting her calm tone bring him back down."I hope for that as well, Gillian…." He returned her smile with a soft one of his own. Shaking off the warm comfort she just soothed him with, his face returned to one of determination. Backing away from Gillians calm aura and saddling next to his partner, "But trust is earned. Trust takes time to build.""My office can draft up some NDAs not allowing any persons at The Lightman Group to discuss matters of the case. How's that sound?" Zoe proposed."Brilliant love a piece of paper will certainly get him to trust us," he said, rolling his eyes. Perry chuckled."It's a start, Doctor Lightman, it's a start," Perry admitted.

"Is there anything we can do to help you better conduct your interview, Doctors Lightman and Foster?" Elizabeth asked as they finished signing the NDA that Zoe's office had drafted and sent over. Standing up from the table they had all gathered around Perry rose with his partner. Looking at Gillian directly as she and Cal got up from their chairs to join them. His playfully smiling returned as he asked."I can stay if you would like," he said, approaching Gillian with the most innocent look he could muster. "I can help translate our employees' interviews in France if you would like, Doctor Foster?" tilting his head to the side and cockily flirting."That is a very kind offer, but it won't be necessary; we will have this under control," she emboldened."It's a lot to take on; I don't mind…" moving even closer into her personal space.I bet you wouldn't mind, you bloody wanker."She's sure!" interrupting Perry, squeezing himself in between him and Gillian possessively. Jealousy got the best of him.Zoe looked at them, locking eyes with Cal, contempt showing on her face as she shook her head outraged at his actions. Always a popular one for her."I can take it," Gillian reassured both Cal and Perry with a confident nod of the head."Je… parie que tu peux"- I… bet you can a seductive tone to his voice as he raised an eye brow licking his lower lip.Gillians' checks were flushed and her mouth opened agape as she caught on to his innuendo.The fuck does that mean? I really need to study French; I'm getting sick and tired of not knowing what this joker is saying. Looking at a stunned GillianElizabeth joined his side, slapping him in the arm. "We have a show to prepare for. Tu pourras flirter avec le bon docteur plus tard." - You can flirt with the good doctor later. Elizabeth snapped at Perry. Turning to the group."We must get going; we have a lot going on before the show." Elizabeth voiced walking to the door with Perry in tow.

"Please don't be hesitant to let us know if you need anything at all." Perry addressed them as they made their way to the elevators.

"We will be having an all-employee gathering at my home in New York in two weeks. I would love for you all to join." He smiled proudly, adding, "Our employees from France will be attending as well, but just for the night. I would have offered to conduct the interviews with them then, but there won't be much time. They must return right away to finish the final pieces for the show, all fingers on deck."

He looked at the puzzled look on the group's face. "That doesn't sound right. "You Americans and your epigrams," he chuckled lightly. "Hopefully you can put a face behind the voices of the interviewees—some further questioning even. But please try and be considerate; I don't want the night to be clouded by all of this. The night will be a celebration of our work."

"Understood. We will handle with tact," Cal stated, short and to the point, loving more than anything for the man to leave all ready.

"Very good. I will be waiting patiently for your discoveries. I'm just a call away; please keep us posted. Thank you, Doctor Lightman," he said, shaking his hand before reaching for Gillians and placing a kiss on her knuckles. "Gillian"

"I'll follow you out. I need to get these to my office and check in on some cases," Zoe stated, holding up the signed NDAs. "I'll return to town in a few days; let you two get some work done," she said to Cal, kissing him on the side of the mouth. Joining Perry and Elizabeth in the elevator, the doors closing right after.

"Care to translate what he said to you, luv?" turning to Gillian and stepping into her personal space. "Quite the blush your still sporting," he said, waving his finger to her cheeks. She rolled her eyes at his antics.

"We need to get started on interviews; it's getting late in France." She turned and walked away from him, not bothering to answer his question.

"That's a deflection if I have ever heard one!" jogging up next to her.

"Doesn't mean it's any less true," she smiled brightly, "let's get started."