"It's probably nothing. On their new employee roster they recently hired a man named Alex Taylor. He was a former employee of Kenmore Fisheries Inc. until about six months ago."
Such a thing wasn't really all that strange. The aquarium was interested in scientists who had prior experience, and certainly working at a fishery counted as experience. Still, Eric didn't feel entirely secure.
"I want a full background check on this Alex Taylor. I want to know exactly what he did at Kenmore, and what he was hired to do at the aquarium."
"Well, that's the bizarre part."
"Bizarre?" Bizarre wasn't good. Anything out of the ordinary was suspicious.
"The hiring papers don't mention what job he actually accepted."
"Well, find out. Isn't that your job?"
"Yes sir. Right away sir."
"Get back to me as soon as possible. I'm sure you can have it figured out by the end of the day?"
"Yes sir. Of course sir."
"Good. Now, is that all?"
"That was all I wanted to tell you sir."
"Then good-bye Robert."
"Good-bye sir."
The phone closed with an aggressive snap. Eric angrily tossed it back into his pocket. After finding out about Patrick, this new information was even more disconcerting.
Businesses kept careful records about all employees. Omitting something like a job title was almost unheard of, and deeply suspicious. Internally Eric seethed at the feeling of uncertainty that he was suddenly faced with. Every time he thought things were under control, his father's weakness would find another way to throw everything into disarray.
He should have closed the aquarium years ago. At the least he needed to have his men on the inside, monitoring activities. Letting his father's sentimental folly continue on unobserved was a mistake.
"Peter?" he said, tapping the intercom button.
"Yes sir?"
"Take us to the Fairchild Memorial Aquarium."