Stay with Me

13. A difficult situation.

The atmosphere inside the meeting room was quiet as almost the same thoughts ran through their minds. The viral intrusion was known by a few and only they were in the meeting since it was better nobody knows. The tech display was a success but a problem lay ahead to be solved. 

Safiyya felt her palms get sweaty as she couldn't stop the unsettling feeling in her heart. Taking glances at Alfred, his countenance was icy cold and whoever ends up getting suspected would be in for it today. She had no idea why she was restless now. 

The only sound coming was from the man trailing the source of the virus and they all waited. 

"I found it," he announced and eyes focused more on him. Peter turned to the CEO and explained, "The virus got into the gadget from a chip which in a normal case should be fine with no effects but probably during its transport, the virus was sent into it. All parts needed for the project were sent some time ago and the virus only manifested for three days which means that the chip was inserted about a week back," 

"I ordered a new chip as the other one had incompatibility," the fourth gadget engineer, Felix spoke immediately. 

"Which means new batches were brought?" Irene stated, sending a side glance at Safiyya. 

She scrolled to somewhere in her MacBook which had opened since the explanation started and spoke, "He did send this request. Another project needed similar chips, so we sent it to them rather than purchasing new ones and used the fund to get new chips for him after it was tested. The first one was brought on the 11th," she paused as the other words fumbled in her brain but others weren't aware of these thoughts and didn't care, unfortunately. 

"How was it received?" It was Alfred's cold voice that came this time. 

Safiyya felt her finger tremble but she still answered, "The delivery office took it and…sent it to the filing office for registration,"  She bit her lips as she prayed that nothing went wrong there. 

Alfred barely nodded and asked Peter to check the records and security cameras. The delivery box was taken but it didn't go to the delivery office first but directly to the filing office. Things small like this usually happen as it is just recorded and given to the delivery office to send it upstairs but at the moment, it became suspicious. The delivery man entered the office and came out empty-handed. The clip was fast forwarded and one of the workers was seen taking the small box to the other office. 

"Where is the purchase point and delivery?" Alfred asked again. Safiyya quickly told them and the man was asked to check the record. Different department's records were protected but this was the peak security check, so it was easy to check. The records were checked and it was void. No record of such was there on the said date. 

How comes? Safiyya shuddered inwardly. There was no way that they didn't record it unless…

"It seems we have a hidden agenda here," Irene scowled from her seat. 

Alfred was stoic with folded arms. "Peter, check the security cameras inside the filing office," he instructed. 

Peter nodded and checked it but his brows furrowed. "I can't find it, sir," he said. 

"It got deleted?" Alfred raised an eyebrow. No one deletes security files in the company and that itself was a crime. 

"I think so," Peter muttered while checking further. "It's not in the main source too. I can't find any trace but definitely, the time was taken out. It must be someone professional," 

"The filing office is suspicious sir," Felix protested urgently. 

"Contact the filing office manager," Alfred said to Peter but was suddenly stopped.