Read Online If Looks Could Kill by Elizabeth Cage - Free Book Online Page B

happening again.”
    â€œI can tell you that whoever hacked in was an expert,” Baldie explained, glaring at the computers. “They left no trail. No footprints. But our security programs are quite vicious. The culprits won’t be back anytime soon unless they have access to another machine with thesame power.” He grinned. “They got nuked in a big way. Their machines wouldn’t even be able to tell them the date and time.”
    Caylin smiled. They had to be talking about Theresa. She must be furious that they nuked her precious laptop!
    Suddenly Lucien got in the man’s face, pointing a threatening finger. “You listen to me, Max. If this happens again, I don’t just want their computers nuked. I want their location. Do you understand me? These security breaches stop immediately.”
    Max nodded his bald head. “I understand. But I need to upgrade the programming. The CIA has some new encryptions that will help. But it’ll take some cash. And some contacts.”
    â€œYou do whatever you have to do to make those files safe,” Lucien warned. “No one, but no one, must know of my plans. If they find out, we’re all out of business.”
    Lucien turned toward the curtain.
    Caylin sprinted back to the table. She hurdled a cushion and the three steps down to land right where she had been sitting before.
    Lucien walked out and took a moment to straighten his robes. Then he calmly strode back to his seat.
    Caylin smiled at him and sipped her tea. Her cheeks were red-hot, but in this light she didn’t think Lucien would notice.
    â€œNow, beautiful Caylin,” he said brightly. “Where were we?”
    Caylin grinned, primed for more info. “Franchises!”

SEVEN
    The morning light blasted through the tall windows of the flat. Jo emerged from her room fully dressed and ready to take on the world if need be.
    â€œYo, T.!” she called.
    â€œIn here,” Theresa replied.
    Jo found her in the computer room, pecking away on a new laptop. The machine was also hooked into a strange square black box. Theresa’s glasses had slid down her nose, and her hair was a snakelike mass. Her flannel pj’s and T-shirt were rumpled.
    â€œWhat’s with you?” Jo asked.
    Theresa didn’t look up from her work. “The computer got here about four in the morning. I couldn’t wait to hook it up.”
    Jo looked at her watch. “You’ve been sitting there for six hours ?”
    Theresa scratched her head. “I dunno. You tell me.”
    â€œOkay. You’ve been sitting there for six hours. Don’t you want to get out for a while?” Jo suggested.
    â€œNot a chance.” She furiously typed away. “I’ve got this sucker on the run. I can feel it.” She patted the black box next to her. “This little puppy can wreak more havoc than a Death Star run by Dennis the Menace.”
    Jo rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m not going to sit around all day watching you type. I’m heading out for a walk. Do you think maybe we can save the world or something tonight? If the rest of this adventure is all cyberstalking, I’m going home.”
    Theresa typed and typed. Her answer was distant, as if she didn’t even hear herself speaking. “Sure, okay.”
    Why do I bother? Jo wondered. She threw up her arms and left.
    Once on the street, Jo headed toward the market district they’d passed through on the rickshaw ride in. The city was bustling. People on bicycles darted in and out of slow-moving traffic. Tourists aimed their cameras and said “fromage.” And the whole place generally went about its business.
    The market district was about a twenty-minute walk. Once Jo got there, it was unmistakable. The smell of spiced noodles was overpowering. The temperature seemed to rise as the quarters suddenly got very close. Everyone was pushed together, shuffling between rickety tables and drab