Page 38 of The Tycoon

Cole steepled his fingers.“Was anyone missing?”

“Just Jerry Sykes, but he was on vacation.Though I was told he was supposed to be back the day the spill happened.”

“What is your position in the company?”asked Cole.

“I’m a subsea engineer.”Eric leaned forward and rested his arms on the conference table.

“That is the same position as Jerry Sykes, is that right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“How many subsea engineers are assigned to this platform?”

“There’s me, Jerry and Anne Adams.We were covering for Jerry while he was on vacation, so we were each pulling twelve-hour shifts for a few days.But that’s not what caused this spill.We did our jobs.”

“What is your job?”

“We designed and installed the underwater drilling equipment and then we monitor it from here.”

“Which is what you were doing when you saw the spill?”

“Yes, sir.”

Cole narrowed his eyes.

Regan wondered if he’d come to the same conclusion she had.

“Could the system have been sabotaged?Say on a timer, so to speak, in order for the guilty party to be gone when the spill actually happened?”

Eric thought for a bit, then he nodded.“Yes, it could have.Definitely could have.”

With one brow cocked, Cole looked over at Regan, then back at Eric.“Thank you for your time and the information.”

“Yes, sir.You’re welcome.Am I free to go or am I still being detained?”Eric frowned at Dave.

“You’re free to go.”

“In that case, consider this my resignation.”

“I’m sorry to hear that but under the circumstances, I understand.”Cole stood and leaned over the table before putting his hand out toward the man.

Eric also stood and leaned forward to take Cole’s hand.

Regan thought he looked like a deer caught in the headlights.Maybe he didn’t expect Cole to let him go.One corner of her mouth tipped up.That’s what happens when people underestimate Cole Kincaid.

Suddenly Eric spoke, his words coming out fast.“Perhaps I spoke too soon.It’s been a trying couple of days.”

Cole smiled and nodded.“I’m sure it has.Let’s assume you never resigned.”

“Thank you, Mr.Kincaid.Thank you.This is the best job I’ve ever had.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Eric left the room.

Regan cocked her head.“That was nice of you.”

“Not really.Subsea engineers are hard to come by.I would have hated to lose him over something said in haste.”