After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 344

Shirley’s eyes went wide and she could barely breathe, the shock hitting her all over again. She remembered exactly what she’d done, but it never crossed her mind that the fire would end up involving Amy.

“The university said I set the fire,” Amy said quietly, “but the truth is, Shirley started it. She just wanted to get rid of the evidence after she stole the USB drive.”

The courtroom buzzed with noise, people murmuring and shifting in their seats. Amy’s words didn’t just clear herself of any connection to Resonance AI, they also exposed Shirley’s desperate attempt to cover her tracks.

If taking the USB drive had been her first mistake, then setting the fire was the proof of her intentions. She wanted that drive for herself, and she was willing to risk everything to keep it.

That’s when Catherine spoke up from the other side of the room. “Amy, I actually have a video of the fire.”

The screen flickered to life, and suddenly everyone was looking at grainy footage from the lab, six years ago. The clock on the bottom showed it was about thirty minutes later when Shirley appeared again.

A figure moved quickly into the lab, glancing around nervously. Shirley was wearing the exact same clothes as before, a small black bag in her hand.

Shirley’s mind went blank for a second. How did Catherine have this video? She was sure the lab’s cameras only stored footage for three years. This was from six years ago. How could it still exist?

Everyone in the courtroom stared at the screen, watching Shirley walk into the lab and pull out a little bottle. She poured something onto the electrical socket, and sparks flew. She tossed a piece of paper over it and waited. As soon as smoke started curling up, she ran out.

The video sped up, and a few minutes later, flames burst through the lab. Smoke filled the room, the alarm started blaring, and finally the screen went black.

She’d thought Amy was here to help her. Instead, Amy had just twisted the knife.

Amy didn’t back down. “I’m not done, Shirley. Everyone here wants to know if the USB drive you took had the original code for Resonance AI. You told me it did, remember?”

Shirley shot up from her seat, pointing at Amy. “That’s a lie! I never said that. You and Catherine are just trying to set me up. You’re working together!”

In the back, Waldo closed his eyes, the muscle in his jaw tightening. He never imagined this was how Shirley had come by Resonance AI.

Had she really stolen Catherine’s work?