Moonstone *One Direction* [Liam Payne]

Chapter 9

Song: "Say Something" by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera

Lexi's POV

Andy reluctantly strode toward the French doors, looking once over his shoulder before entering and concealing himself in the secure room.

"Okay, does anyone have any ideas as to why Andy would even consider stealing the software?" Sydney asked as she paced around the table where everyone sat.

The room was silent as people tried to concentrate and devise some sort of reason, but no one said anything.

"Anyone?"

Hayley shook her head and sadly stated, "I just can't see Andy stealing a software that belongs half to him. It doesn't make sense."

"Wait, what did you just say?" Liam asked her as if a light bulb went off in his head.

"It doesn't make sense. Why?"

"No," he shook his head with eagerness. "Before that."

"I can't see him stealing a software that partly belongs to him?"

"Yes! That! Partly belongs to him!"

"Good, Liam. You're starting to think like a member of MI6 intelligence," a smile was shot in Liam's direction from Sydney's still-pacing figure. "Continue on that thought." Her words and the way she maneuvered around the table made me think that this was like a class, and she was the professor. It made me think she already had a motive for each person, and had a feeling of who it was.

"Well, one motive would be that he didn't want to only have half the credit. Maybe he stole it for power. So that somehow he could gain full commission over the software," Liam suggested with a hopeful, yet sad spark in his eyes. I felt the same way he did, I was happy that he was able to delve into deeper thought and develop this theory, but I was sad at the possibility of this being true because that would mean Andy, the narcissistic yet welcoming friend we loved and cherished, was really a greedy and power-hungry liar who we wrongly trusted. That possibility stung my eyes with a small tear that I caught before it was able to spill down my cheek. "Maybe he thought that, we were too stupid to find out it was him since his computers are untraceable." I saw the sorrow in his face as he talked of the possible crime of one of his best friends, and in an act to comfort him, I clasped my hand around his and began to run soft circles into his smooth skin. He looked at me with a smile and nod to express his gratitude of my small gesture, I just hoped it would put him a little more at ease.

"Exactly," Caitlin added. "He could have used his own computer and a random person could have stolen Lou's, or he could have stolen Lou's and trashed it hoping someone would find it somewhere in a dumpster. Then people would be spending all their time trying to get the computer up and running to be unable to find who had it last, and Andy would never be suspected."

"And then," Grae spoke softly. "He could say he was able to find the computer who stole it or something and look like the hero for finding it and safely returning it to the MI6."

"And because he 'found it' he could demand a raise and for Louis' name to be taken off of it or just put on the side. Essentially giving Andy a lot of power," Harry agreed as he delved deeper into the underlying motive.

"Have we reached a conclusive motive?" Sydney asked the table, to which we all responded with a nod or a small "yes."

"Good, Louis and Hayley, please take Andy's place in the MI6 room."

Louis and Hayley laced their fingers before standing and walking over to the glass doors. Hayley opened the door and entered the room, never letting Louis' hand drop. Seconds later, Andy emerged from the room to fill his previously empty seat. "Andy your results were conclusive. We have a motive. You are still a heavy suspect of this crime."