“Hey, Larry, got aminute?”
Larry jumped. “Sure, c’monin.”
Crockett closed the door and remained standing so Larry wouldn’t spot Black. More importantly, it put him in a power position. This conversation mattered, so rather than rushing into anything, he suffered through a few minutes of small talk. When Crockett felt like he’d checked that box, he lost the pleasant smile and jovialtone.
“Larry, let’s get serious for amoment.”
“Okay.” Larryswallowed.
“How many Spy Flies does Ruth Lizzardhave?”
He steeled his spine. “What? How would I know? None, right?” he asked, his faceflushing.
“Things might be easier for you if you’dcooperate.”
After clearing his throat, Larry glanced at his screen. Crockett stepped forward, prepared to stop him if he tried deleting anything from hiscomputer.
“Are you telling me NML is buying our devices and passing them off as their own? That’s outrageous.” He stroked his moustache while his beady eyes darted around theroom.
“I would never authorize the competition purchasing our devices,” Crockettsaid.
“Right. Of coursenot.”
“I consider myself to be a reasonable man, wouldn’t you agree,Larry?”
“Sure.”
“Great. Let’s try this again. My code has been tampered with. Devices have failed at key times and the evidence points to you. What can you tell me aboutthat?”
Larry leapt out of his chair. “I wouldn’t dothat.”
“Sit down.” When he did, Crockett continued. “Larry, you’re digging yourself a hole you won’t be able to climb outof.”
Larry’s back slumped. “I wanted to help herout.”
“Who?”
“Ruth.” He broke eye contact. “RuthLizzard.”
He wanted Larry to spill his guts, so he softened his tone. “Why don’t you tell me aboutit?”
“She hated being passed over for the promotion. It’s all she talked about. After you fired her, we got close. When she started working at NML, she proposed a crazy plan, but I told her no.” Larry wiped the perspiration from his brow. “She told me she loved me. Said she’d bring me onboard as soon as NML was awarded the FBI business. I’m leaving my wife for her. I gave her a couple of Spy Flies for the demo and a few since then. She encouraged me to tamper with the equipment to get even for what you did toher.”
“So youdid?”
“Yeah.” Larry broke down. “She said we wereinvincible.”
“You had a good thinghere.”
The QA Director wiped his eyes. “Are you going to have mearrested?”
“What would you do in mysituation?”
“Fuck, I’mscrewed.”
Knock,knock.
After opening the door, Crockett addressed both agents. “Gentlemen, he’s allyours.”