Linda watched him closely. Evelyn did more than watch.
As Hammond reviewed the fake material, his questions became unusually specific. He did not ask the questions a scientist would normally ask first about validation, assumptions, error bounds, or reproducibility. He asked about transferability, scalability, and whether the model could be adapted outside the university’s normal computing environment.
Evelyn answered just enough to keep him interested. Each time Hammond pushed too directly, she offered a partial answer and moved the conversation sideways. Linda could see what Evelyn was doing: giving him the impression that he was clever enough to understand the project’s hidden value before they did.
By the time Hammond left, Linda felt cold.
“He took it,” she said.
“He took the idea,” Evelyn replied. “Now we see whether he takes the file.”
The tagged documents were monitored. Within days, a copy moved through an account associated with Hammond’s credentials. That alone was alarming, but the internal security team wanted proof of what happened next.
The investigation moved beyond the university. Federal authorities were quietly notified because the suspected transfer involved foreign contacts and protected research systems. Linda was warned not to confront Hammond.
A controlled observation was arranged around a reception connected to the consulate of a small oil-rich nation known for aggressively acquiring advanced technology. Linda was kept away from the event to reduce risk. Evelyn, however, agreed to assist as an observer because she could identify the exact marked folder and knew Hammond’s behavior from the staged meeting.
The decision frightened Linda. “You don’t have to do this.”
Evelyn gave her a tired smile. “A few weeks ago you thought I shouldn’t be at your board.”
“That isn’t what I mean.”
“I know,” Evelyn said. “That’s why I’ll be careful.”
From a concealed observation point above the reception floor, Evelyn watched guests move through the grand hall. Diplomats, academics, investors, and officials circulated beneath chandeliers while servers carried drinks through the crowd. Nothing about the scene looked dangerous.
Then Hammond entered.
He did not immediately approach anyone unusual. He spoke to two people near the entrance, accepted a drink, and spent several minutes behaving exactly like a professor attending a formal reception. Evelyn waited.
Eventually a foreign man in an elegant suit crossed the room. His demeanor was calm, almost forgettable, but Hammond’s posture changed the instant he noticed him.