Page 125 of Overtake
“This was nice.” Maiken takes Reece’s extended hand and rises gracefully. “We should do it again in Vegas.”
“And watch Graham spontaneously combust when he sees us all getting along,” Reece adds.
As they cross the dining room, Petra murmurs, “Those two have an interesting dynamic.” She means Wyn and Zara, who remain huddled over her laptop, heads bent close. “He could use someone unimpressed by his track record. Restore a little humility to the wanker.”
“Ten quid says she’ll kill him and hide his body in the stairwell,” Jacintha says and Petra laughs.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Back in myhotel room after dinner, I’m setting my morning alarms on my phone when a text from Kelley pops up.
Darling, saw the dreadful coverage today. Spent the afternoon and evening recording interviews with ESPN, Entertainment Tonight, and Good Morning America for tomorrow. Finally set the record straight! You don’t need to thank me - just a mother protecting her daughter! Call when you can. xx
My blood runs cold. Multiple interviews? About the data breach investigation?
I hit the FaceTime button before I can talk myself out of it.
Kelley’s face fills the screen, perfectly made up despite it being past twenty-two hundred her time in New York. Behind her is the familiar backdrop of the Manhattan penthouse Richard bought for her. Floor-to-ceiling windows show the glittering city lights, a million dollars’ worth of art on the walls. She’s in her element for her media blitz.
“Petrina! Darling, you look tired.”
“Kelley.” I clench the phone tighter. “Tell me you didn’t actually record multiple interviews about the investigation.”
“Of course I did! That dreadfulPaddock Access Dailywoman was spreading lies about you. I couldn’t let that stand.” She looks genuinely proud of herself. “I spent the entire afternoon and evening setting the record straight.ESPNwas particularly interested in your technical expertise.”
“What. Did. You. Say?”
“That you’re far too brilliant to need stolen data, naturally! I explained how you’ve been working with technical systems since you were tiny.” Her smile widens. “I told them you used to play in your father’s garage and you’ve always made the most of your access to F1 technical information. It’s how you’ve got so far. I made it clear that understanding these systems is practically in your DNA.”
The hotel room tilts. “Jesus fucking Christ, Kelley!”
Her face freezes on screen. “Language, darling.”
“Language? LANGUAGE?” I’m shouting at my phone now. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done? They’re investigating data theft, and you just confirmed I’ve taken advantage of access to technical information my entire life!”
“But darling, I was defending you?—”
“You made me sound guilty!” I absolutely want to kill this woman. “You painted me as someone who grew up surrounded by F1 secrets, which makes Dad look terrible too!”
She seems genuinely confused. “I don’t understand. I told them how brilliant you are?—”
“What else did you say?” I demand.
“Well, I mentioned your relationship with Nico, of course.” She brightens again. “How you two have been sharing technical insights much longer than anyone realized. TheEntertainment Tonightsegment was particularly interested in that angle. I painted such a beautiful picture of your collaboration!”
I slump onto the bed. “You told them we’ve been secretly sharing data for years?”
“Notsecretly, darling. Professionally! Two brilliant minds working together, supporting each other’s technical development.” She gestures enthusiastically. “It’s romantic, really?—”
“It sounds like fucking espionage!” If I hold the phone any tighter, it’ll crack. “You just made our relationship look like a cover!”
Her perfectly made-up face crumples slightly. “But… I was trying to help...”
“By confirming every bloody suspicion they already had?” I stare at her. “Kelley, they’re not just questioning my integrity, and you’ve just given them a timeline, a motive, and a fucking conspiracy theory!”
The silence between us stretches across two time zones.
“Don’t.” I hold up my hand to the camera. “Don’t give another interview. Don’t clarify. Don’t tweet, don’t post, don’t even breathe in the direction of a journalist or social media.”
