Read [Contributor 02] - Infiltrator (2013) for Free Online

product as well, so that she could compare the two.
    After her first week, she’d given up on expecting to leave headquarters at the appointed end of her shift. Sometimes Andersen allowed her to finish her work at home, but he generally preferred her to stay until she had completed everything he had assigned her. She knew without question that he would not allow her to complete the presentation at home, so she braced herself for a late evening.
    He shut himself in his office when he returned from his meeting, ostensibly to handle the series of conference calls that were scheduled in his calendar. Dara’s eyes were burning and her head pounding by the time she finished the presentation. She sent Andersen a short message letting him know she’d finished, and she checked it one last time as she waited for his reply.
    Ten minutes later she was in his office, standing in front of his desk with her hands folded while she waited for him to review her work. He took his sweet time, and she tried not to sway on her feet from a combination of fatigue and hunger.
    “It will do,” he pronounced at long last, and she forced herself to smile as if he’d bestowed the highest of praise upon her.
    “I’ll arrive an hour before my shift tomorrow, in case you would like me to make additional changes.”
    “See that you do.”
    “Is there any other way I may contribute before I leave?”
    “That’s all.”
    “Good night, sir.”
    He didn’t bother replying, and she made as quick an exit as she could, pressing the back of her hand against her mouth to conceal a yawn. Shift change had taken place hours ago, and the thoroughfares were deserted.
    Her father was waiting for her at home. “Let me get you something to eat. You look ready to keel over,” he said, frowning in concern.
    “Thanks.” She sank down on the couch, grateful to rest her head against its back as she kicked off her shoes and flexed her pinched toes. The relief was so pleasurable she couldn’t hold back a low groan, and she closed her eyes and let herself doze until her father woke her.
    “So what was it tonight?” he asked, sitting across the table from her. He pressed his lips together in a firm line.
    “Don’t worry, Dad. Andersen hasn’t killed me—yet,” she said, the joke coming out as humorless as she’d feared. With a tired sigh, she shook her head and dug into her dinner, speaking between bites. “He has a presentation first thing tomorrow morning about that project of his.”
    “The infamous project.” Joshua’s contempt was plain, and he folded his arms over his chest.
    Dara pushed food around her plate, debating. One of the worst things about having agreed to work with the Free Thinkers was the heavy weight she felt whenever she spoke to her father. She and her parents had often talked around the dinner table, sharing stories about what had happened that day, but what had once seemed like idle gossip and chatter had taken on a far greater significance. She didn’t feel right about taking to Mal any information she’d gathered from her father. It smacked too much of dragging him into her decision.
    Reading her mind, Joshua said, “I know what you’ll need to do with any information you gain, and it’s okay with me.”
    “Are you sure?” She met his gaze, seeing the steely determination in his eyes.
    “Yes. I want you to make sure you get it to the right people.”
    “Dad, if anyone—”
    “I know what the penalty is, and I don’t care. If I can prevent someone else from having to go through what I did after your mother was injured…” His voice trailed off as his jaw worked, and he turned his head away, but Dara saw the gleam of tears.
    “All right. But if you change your mind, tell me.”
    Joshua nodded, swallowed, and looked back at her. “Andersen’s project is expensive. Too expensive, some people are saying.”
    “I thought as much.” She told him about the split-second glance she’d had at the accounting report on