Director Elias Cox had been silent throughout the presentation. He had sat in his elevated seat, leaning his back comfortably on his chair, looking down on Neville.
"Mr. Hope," Director Cox began, his tone set off every alarm in MJ's head. "I've reviewed your documentation thoroughly. Twice, in fact. Your technical proposals are... decent."
The word 'decent' landed like a slap across the face. Several people shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"However," Director Cox continued, leaning forward with the air of someone about to deliver a killing blow.
"I have concerns about your oversight of the data acquisition process. Specifically, the personnel involved." He paused, letting the implication hang in the air. "Can you confirm that all members of your team have been properly vetted and that no sensitive information has been compromised during Phase 1?"
