Page 56 of False Flag

She was still fuming as she left the house, which was fine because she could use that energy when confronting the techbros. Orca House was situated between Geoduck and Chinook and was a five-minute walk, which she’d usually enjoy, but in this moment, she didn’t notice the sunshine or fresh air.

She pounded on the front door and waited. And waited. After her third knock, she was about to leave when the door opened. The same guy she spoke with last time greeted her.

He grinned and hummed the Double D jingle, then said, “My favorite waitress is back. Sorry, babe, we didn’t order wings, but I’ll take some of that cheesecake.” His gaze raked her from head to toe.

When she waited tables, she was comfortable with being ogled. It was very much part of the job. But this job was so far removed from that it just added another layer to her anger. “Fuck off.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I assumed you wanted something from me?”

“Unlock the firewalls that prevent me from doing my job.”

“Show me your tits, and it’s done.” He smirked and took a step closer, leaning close enough she could smell the Fritos on his breath. “See, babe? I can say whatever I want, because I work for Osborne. You work for Campbell. There’s no work connection between us. Plus, my boss is a billionaire, and you signed an NDA about everything that happens on this island. So try to sue me. Osborne won’t let it get far. You know, you don’t have to show me your tits here and now. A photo will do. Upload it to the island network.”

“Why waste time, though? I need access now.” She reached for the hem of her shirt, then slammed her elbow upward. He stood so close, she nailed him in the chin, causing his head to snap back.

He stumbled backward.

“Oh! So sorry!” She moved forward, reaching out as if to stop his fall, but she planted her foot behind his and swept to the side. He landed on his ass.

“Oh! Oops. Wow. I’m just sooo clumsy.” She stepped forward again, kicking his inner thigh an inch from his balls. She paused, her foot positioned to strike, and grinned down at him. “An NDA won’t protect you from being castrated. Don’t fuck with me if you want to keep your balls.”

She moved out of his reach before adding, “You should know that we don’t need to work together for sexual extortion to be a crime.” She held up the small digital recorder she always had with her on the island. “You think after years of waiting tables serving assholes like you, I don’t know to be prepared? I turned this on the moment you started humming the Double D jingle. Thanks for the heads-up.”

He glared at her as he scooted backward toward the open door.

“Fix the firewalls. I need to be able to do my research.”

“You need to fill out the form every time you hit a wall and give justification for the site.”

“What form?”

“There’s a link. At the bottom of the screen.”

“I’ve never seen it.”

“It might be in a white font. Only visible on a dark screen.”

She rolled her eyes and muttered, “Such assholes.” She was tempted to kick him in the balls for real.

“I’ll fix the font.”

“Or maybe you can just unlock my access for everything? Like you do for Lloyd Burns?”

“We were instructed to review every site you visit.”

“By whom?”

He said nothing. It was probably Casper, but clearly, he didn’t want that information recorded.

“So would you have given me access if I’d flashed my tits?”

Again, he said nothing.

“Fix the font. Fix my access.” She turned and descended the front steps. “And stop being an asshole if you ever hope to actually see a woman’s breasts live and in person without paying for the privilege.”

She took a long walk, no longer hungry for lunch as she tried to get her emotions under control.

What was she even doing here?