She ignored Illie's outstretched hand and waved them toward two well-padded armchairs before sitting down herself.
Her gaze was assessing, almost critical.
"I was under the impression your partner was a woman,"
she said.
The back of Gabriel's neck began to itch. The director's manner wasn't what he'd expected from a woman whose company had just suffered a major robbery. No concern, no tension, just an odd sort of watchfulness.
He met her cool, gray gaze. "Then your informant was wrong. Tell us about the break in."
The director leaned back in her chair, a slight frown marring her almost perfect features. "One of our research labs was breached last night at around two. We don't believe anything was taken, but the filing system had been broken into."
"Then you don't use computer filing?" Illie said, almost in disbelief.
The director's smile edged towards condescending. "No.
Computers can be hacked too easily. Most of our top projects are paper only. This is a high security center. Until last night, we'd thought it perfectly safe."
No building or security system was impervious. There was always a weak spot somewhere. All you had to do was find it.
"What eventually raised the alarm?"
"We had a photosensitive alarm installed in the lab. It's a prototype we've been testing. It picks up any abnormal shifts in light reading, no matter how subtle. Whoever was in the lab last night was taking photos."
"Of what?"
She hesitated. "The lab is involved in the development of a matter transmitter for the military."
"Then why call us in? Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to call in the military?"
"We did. But whoever broke into the lab managed first to get past five security stations and three laser alarms, and they were never picked up by the cameras. That is more SIU territory than military."
Not if what they'd learned about Hopeworth over the last month was true. "Who recommended you call me?"
Illie gave him a sharp glance. Obviously he hadn't known they'd been requested.
"General Frank Lloyd. Said he'd had some dealings with your partner." She hesitated, her gaze shifting to Illie. "I'm sure he said your partner was female."
"Does it really matter what sex my partner is?" Gabriel said, unable to keep the slight edge of annoyance from his tone. This was looking more and more like a setup. But why?
The director raised an eyebrow. "No, I suppose it doesn't.
Do you wish to see the lab?"
"If you wish us to actually solve this crime, then yes, that would be a good idea."
A small smile stretched her too-perfect lips, but there was little amusement in her cold gray eyes. She reached to her left and pressed a button on the intercom. "Security will escort you there. Please feel free to come back if you have any further questions."
Gabriel rose. "We will need to see the security tapes from last night."
"Of course. They'll be available by the time you finish in the lab."
"And we will need to question the guards who were on last night."
She nodded. "They're off duty, but a list of names and addresses will be provided."
This whole situation just wasn't sitting right. This was a top-secret facility—one with severe military links. No matter how badly they wanted the crime solved, the director was being entirely too helpful.