“We met here, at the office,” Rebecca said, glancing at Nico nervously. “I was... I was his assistant while Gloria was out.”
“Gloria was out?” Leopold frowned. “Why? Was she sick?”
Beside her, Nico stiffened.
“I...” Rebecca began, not sure how to respond. Surely Leopold knew what Gloria’s situation had been. She knew Nico and his grandfather didn’t see eye-to-eye on everything, but this was a Vannevar Software concern.
Eva, who was seated on one of the plush chairs, across from Leopold, spoke up. “She was hit by a car, Mr. Vann. She took approximately four months of medical leave and just returned today.”
Leopold’s brow creased in confusion, but then his face cleared. “Right, right, her accident. I remember now. A drunk driver, as I recall.”
“That’s right,” Nico said, and Rebecca detected a faint hint of relief in his tone. “Rebecca was her temporary replacement, and she did a superb job.”