“If you aren’t able to access it, we have nothing anyway.” I look around at the guys. “We just need proof that ties them into what we know they’ve done.”
“It still doesn’t explain why now, little nympho.” Caden lifts his gaze to mine. “Why do they think you know something?”
“I don’t know.” It’s the truth. “Maybe it’s something to do with my dad’s motorcycle, but if it’s been there all this time, they’ve had plenty of time to access it.”
“The only thing that’s different this year is you, kitten.” Eli runs a hand through his thick brown hair. “Our access to you.”
“We’re not going to figure our fathers’ motives out tonight.” Luke rubs my shoulder. “We have a lot to look through and need to get busy.”
Jack
The surveillance footage at the house I divide between Caden and Luke. Nico’s already working his way through Sidney’s footage. Eli tackles the files Will Frank was able to unlock from William Foster’s computer.
“I don’t know how this will be helpful.” Harper leans her head back against my shoulder and looks up and back at me.
She’s on my lap at the table in front of her father’s equipment.
“If they think you’re the key to this, then maybe you know something and don’t know you know it.” It’s simple really. If this is the evidence they want, something Harper knows must be locked away. Something we open might give her a clue as to what that might be. “We’re going to go slowly, so we don’t trip over anything. If you think of anything, let me know.”
She’s skeptical, but she returns her gaze to where I have a spare laptop hooked up to Sean’s. I have a tablet with files for her to review if it takes too long.
“I really hope there are baby pictures on here.” I boot up my system and then work on seeing if the drive is even reachable. A chat prompt flashes up on the screen attached to Sean’s laptop.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a chat prompt.” I check to see what my computer says about the laptop, but it’s not able to access the drive. I type inhello.
The cursor blinks on the black screen, waiting for the processor to do what’s next in the sequence. At least that’s what I would think it would do. Unless it’s an actual chat with someone who no longer exists.
Who are you?flashes up on the screen.
Is it searching for user name?
Sean, I type.
Who are you?
“If I’m the key, try Harper.” Harper settles back against me.
“It’s possible that it’s actually a password of some sort. Like there’s a sequence to the questions and until you answer that question you can’t get to the next one.” I blow out a breath. “But it’s a good guess.”
Harper
Prove it
“How do I prove who I am to a computer program?” Harper rubs her finger over her lip.
What do you want to know?I type. How does this program work?
Mother’s favorite ring
“What is this, Jack?” Harper’s nose wrinkles.
“Honestly, I don’t know.” I check to see if I’m getting any Wi-Fi activity on my computer, but there’s nothing to indicate it’s enslaving my laptop to get to the internet. “What’s the answer?”
“Opal.”
I type it in. There’s a delay before the next prompt shows up.
