Chapter 989 - The cost of freedom (4)

About three hours later, in Jeff's office, after a lot of information sharing over a lunch which was delivered…

They confirmed that Benjamin was fired the previous day, and that Harriet's mother came to Los Angeles on Monday morning, and that she met with Benjamin after his work… and Harriet gave them information about the both hotels she booked when she was in Los Angeles the last time. Benjamin gave his phone to Sarah to check call and message history (not that she needs it, but it showed his good faith). Based on all this, they concluded that Harriet is not deceiving them.

"System analyst?", Sarah asked Benjamin. She paid attention to the point that he lost his job because of Harriet's parents. "Do you know scripting?"

Benjamin nodded. "JavaScript, PowerShell and I can manage in Python."

"I would like to see what you can do.", Sarah said. "I have a position in my team. Interested?" She is referring to a position that was opened when Alexander… vacated it.

Benjamin stared at Sarah not sure if she is serious or not.

Bridgette explained: "Sarah leads the hottest team in White corp. They are in charge of the security for the entire company. You should say yes."

Sarah saw Benjamin nod and gestured toward the door.

"Let's go to my office. We can talk in there, and I want to see your skills."

Sarah walked out and Benjamin followed.

When Benjamin and Sarah left, Bridgette sat next to Harriet while saying: "No matter what connections your parents have, they can't force Sarah to fire Benjamin. And White corp. is not a bad place to work in."

Harriet smiled. She is happy that Benjamin got a chance to get a job so quickly, and White corp. is an amazing place to work. Everyone knows that.

Steve, Jeff and JoAnna were going over the files that Harriet got on the memory card.

They printed them out and it was all scattered over Jeff's office desk.

"I don't understand what are they trying to do with this information." Jeff said.

"Everything is related to White corp. or its subsidiaries, but it seems random… and non-damaging.", Steve added.

"These three…", JoAnna took three papers and grouped them. "Accusations of inappropriate behavior by managers. But they are dismissed due to lack of evidence."

"These are about office misconduct. Dismissed also.", Steve created another group.

Jeff frowned. "What will Marcus do with this?"

"We should ask Sophia.", JoAnna suggested. "And let's make sure not to alert Marcus. Now that we know they are collecting things like these, Sarah can keep an eye out."

Jeff and Steve nodded in agreement.

Jeff and JoAnna went to the side room to discuss the current situation and what to do with Harriet. During that time, Steve was handling company matters and Bridgette was chatting with Harriet.

When Jeff and JoAnna returned, two of them sat on the sofa with Harriet.

Harriet observed Jeff and JoAnna since she arrived in Jeff's office. Two of them spoke seriously, jokingly, lovingly… like best friends. And now they are sitting in front of her. Jeff's hand is resting on JoAnna's waist, she leaned on him… and the way he looks at her, shows love. Jeff is nothing like an icy man from her memories. She confirmed that everyone can find their match.

"I hear that your current place is not safe.", Jeff told Harriet. "We will arrange for you to stay in a safe house until we get you a new identity. It will take few days, not more than a week."

Harriet understood that they will help her. "Thank you. That is absolutely perfect."

"If you have any preferences for a new name, you have until 5 PM to let me know." Jeff said as he stood up to go back to his desk.

"Penelope.", Harriet responded right away. "I don't care about the last name."

JoAnna looked at Harriet's background profile which Sarah compiled when they were checking validity of Harriet's story. "It says here that you were a curator in an art museum in Austin… and you have a master's degree in arts. Do you want to work? We have a friend who is opening an art gallery. I can introduce you if you are interested."

JoAnna knows that Isabella didn't neglect her artistic side in the last few months, and she mentioned that she will open a gallery in Los Angeles.

Harriet inhaled while trying not to burst form excitement. "That would be more than perfect."

Harriet watched JoAnna send a number of text messages and thought how these people can make all her problems go away in a matter of minutes. Really impressive. Now she understands why her father fears Jeffrey.

"Is Ben going to join you?"

JoAnna's question made Harriet freeze. She knows that Benjamin wants to help, but does he want to join her?

JoAnna saw based on Harriet's expression that she is not sure.

"I see… I don't know the depth of your commitment to each other, but this will introduce additional complexities. Think if you want him to join you, and if you do, then talk to him. Openly. If you two stay together, we can create ID for him as well. But that means cutting ties with everything. No more going to old places, no socializing with old friends… Make sure to tell him that when you talk. Also, if he is not joining… you will need to let him go. Your parents know about him, and if he keeps his identity and stays in touch with you, everything we are doing to keep you safe will be in vain."

Harriet nodded in understanding. She will talk to Benjamin… but she does not know if he wants to abandon everything in order to start this 'new life' with her. Can she even ask him to do that? Can he leave behind Becca? She never met his daughter, but she knows that Benjamin is attached to her. On the other side… can she let him go? He is the only source of happiness she has in her life, ever. Can she let him go?

"What size are you wearing?", JoAnna's question interrupted Harriet's thoughts.

"What?"

"Clothing. What size are you? We will get some sleepwear and change of clothes prepared for you at the safehouse.", JoAnna explained.

Harriet told JoAnna her size and drifted back into her thoughts.

…

Sarah and Benjamin returned to Jeff's office.

Benjamin beamed. Harriet guessed that the impromptu job interview went well.

"HR will get in touch with you to prepare everything, and after all paperwork is done, you can start.", Sarah explained. "Welcome to White corp."

Benjamin shook Sarah's hand. "Thank you, thank you!"

"Penny!", Benjamin rushed to Harriet and lifted her up. After few twirls he kept her down. "I've got the job. Sarah says that my skills are perfect for what she is looking for. I will start as a senior security software developer!"

"Congratulations.", she smiled.

Benjamin noticed sadness in Harriet's eyes which her smile was unable to cover up.

"What is wrong?", he looked at her and then at people in the room. "Did something happen?"

Harriet cupped his cheeks and made him look at her. "Nothing, nothing. It's just too much going on. I am happy for you, I really am."

JoAnna saw how they are protective of each other and she approached them. "Tonight, you two will go together to the safehouse. Try to rest and don't worry. No one can find you there. We will discuss about options available for you and let you know when we come up with something. Tomorrow I will visit you and we can talk more."

JoAnna gave Harriet a knowing look.

Harriet nodded gratefully. She understood that JoAnna will try to find options where she can stay with Benjamin and he does not need to give up on his daughter. Whatever decision they need to make, it will happen later. Tonight, the two of them can enjoy each other's company.

"Keep your phones off as well as any other devices you might have with a GPS.", Sarah told them. "Don't contact anyone from the safehouse. We don't know what technology and people they have available to track you. Until we figure out the next steps, you need to stay low."

Sarah gave them more instructions about safety and made a point that they should NOT go to the basement. She gave Benjamin one cell phone. "Keep this one handy. We will contact you here if necessary."

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