AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There was nothing I wanted more than to go straight to Thea after I left Coleman’s place. But first I have to know what the mysterious hackers have on him. Once I get all the concrete evidence, I’ll take every damning piece of it to her.
Damien didn’t even register as I blew through the kitchen and took the stairs two at a time to my room. Slamming down in the chair at my desk, I hook up the encrypted drive and my phone to input what I found at Coleman’s house. I pull out the locket and set it next to the computer as I work.
It occurs to me when I’m halfway through adding the new information on Coleman to the file in my app, I have no idea how to contact Dolos. No sooner does the thought cross my mind, a chat window pops up in the middle of the screen.
“Backdoor? Those douchebags.” I try to navigate away or close the window, but the only access I have is the chat window.
An irritated sound rumbles in my throat. This is pissing me off. My system isn’t easy to hack. I pride myself on the security measures I have in place to prevent compromises, but they’re able to slip past them with ease.
Dolos: Well? We know you infiltrated Coleman’s residence tonight.
Connor: The fuck? Were you watching me the whole time?
Dolos: Someone had to check you were doing as we said.
Connor: I thought you didn’t know where he lived?
Dolos: We didn’t. You found it, we traced your phone.
Connor: Whatever. Give me what you promised.
Dolos: Proof first. Take a picture.
Blowing out a breath, I lift the locket as my webcam connects. I peel off the electrical tape I cover the camera with and hold the locket close.
Dolos: Good.
A second later, a compressed file labeled HKC comes through, along with control of my computer again. I hold my breath as I double click to open it. Once it’s ready, air hisses from my lungs.
“Holy shit.”
It’s all there. Reports, police records, employment history. Between the stuff at his house and the files documenting his previous two employer records—both with complaints of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct with minors in his charge—I have more than enough to make a move.
I’m so focused on combing through the information in the unsealed files, I almost miss the new message blinking in the chat window.
Dolos: Now we start the next phase. Stay put.
“What? No.” My brows pinch as I type.
Connor: Fuck that. Wherever you are, you can suck it. He’s here and he’s a threat.
Dolos: You will do nothing.
I don’t answer to these assholes. I’m getting fed up with them telling me what to do. Screw waiting, it’s time to act.
Dolos: Don’t be an idiot when you still have that cute little neighbor to think of. We hate making threats against the innocent ones.
Fuck.
Connor: Fine. What’s the next phase?
They don’t answer. The window disappears and the screen goes black, flashing with a laughing skull being circled by another 8-bit crow.
“Assholes.” I reboot my computer once again, really hating their idea of goodbye.
Every part of me revolts at the thought of sitting on my hands. I’ve done enough of that. If I don’t do something, Coleman has more chances to hurt Thea.
Why should I sit around and wait for whoever the hell these guys are when they’re somewhere else and I’m here in town with a monster hyper-focused on my girl?
