Chapter 9: The Hook

"Wait! Hold up! What about my dad?"

Mitchell and his assistant sneak a worried glance at one another.

"Well nothing. It has nothing to do with this project, just a little mistake I made."

"Tell me! Or count your precious gadgets lost for good!" Tony's voice rose with anger as well as his temper.

"We are under strict orders not to. It was in the agreement we made when we considered you for this, but if you are willing to work something out, then I think we can come to terms. Find a few loopholes."

Mitchell takes a step forward. I stand my ground, puzzled about everything. Questions running through my mind. What could it be? What did they have that was so important? Better yet we're they bluffing? Then again, was it important enough for them to come after me in the first place? Maybe, just maybe, they need that tech just as much as I need answers. I look at the secretary. Her face is expressionless, just like Byron's. I look at Mitchell, he is smiling and holding out his hand ready to cut a deal. "It has to do with your past... Something you did not, and do not know." I stare at them both, playing it from their angle. "Do we have a deal?" he repeats again.