Read Online No Test for the Wicked: A Lexi Carmichael Mystery, Book Five by Julie Moffett - Free Book Online Page A

peanut butter crackers are sometimes edible.”
    “By whose definition?”
    “I’ll treat you to a package and then you’ll see.”
    “You will not. We’re going to have to work on those taste buds of yours,
cara
.”
    “Thank goodness. I’ve been hoping you’d say that.”

Chapter Seven
    Slash and I spent several hours at the police station. While I sipped bitter coffee and ate stale crackers, police officers, the FBI and agents from the Department of Homeland Security questioned me. I didn’t have much further to say, as my encounter with Ansari Zogby was pretty short. But I was able to recite every bit of our conversation by heart and was required to do so several times for each different agency.
    Finally the police released Slash and me. By the time I got back to my apartment, it was five twenty in the morning. Slash walked me to the door and I keyed myself in.
    “Ugh. I can’t believe I have to go to work in a few hours.” I punched the code on my alarm. “I have a massive headache from all the talking and no sleep.”
    “I can speak to your boss if you want. I’ll tell him you were involved of matters of national security.”
    “He’s heard that one before.” I stood on tiptoe and kissed the tip of his nose. “I can handle Finn. But thanks anyway. Good night...or morning, Slash. It was a memorable first date. I’m going to hit the shower and get dressed for work. A nap at this stage will just make me groggy.”
    He seemed hesitant to leave, but he gave me a quick kiss. “Be careful,
cara
. I’ll check in with you later.”
    After he left, I showered and got dressed for work. I made a stop at Dunkin’ Donuts for an extra-large coffee and a couple of chocolate donuts. I needed the caffeine and sugar rush to keep me awake as I drove to work.
    No one was in the office yet, so I sat at my desk, listening to Christmas music while answering email and browsing the daily news on cybersecurity. Finn strolled into my office about seven forty-five.
    “Good morning, Lexi. You’re in early. I was surprised to get that email from you a half hour ago.”
    “Well, the early bird catches the worm or, in my case, the hacker. Did you have a chance to talk to Bonnie about our plan yet?”
    He took a seat in my visitor’s chair and stretched out his legs. “I did. She thought it a bit unorthodox—well, truthfully a
lot
unorthodox—but she likes you. Therefore, like all of us, she trusts you and your judgment. She agreed to it. You must have made a good impression.”
    “There’s a first time for everything.”
    “Very funny. Anyway, there are some ground rules for you posing as a student, but I’ll be drawing them up later. They will protect the school from any liability issues. It’s just legal mumbo jumbo and I’ve got it all taken care of.”
    “Did you really just say mumbo jumbo?”
    “Why? Is that not an appropriate American phrase?”
    “It’s fine, Mr. Irish. It’s just kind of cute how you slipped it into conversation so effortlessly. I think you’re becoming quite Americanized.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Anyway, the point is that I’ve got the bloody legal side handled. You just stop those kid hackers, okay?”
    “Ah, better.” My smile faded. “Look, Finn, before you go, I want to tell you what happened to me last night. I don’t want you to hear it from anyone else.”
    His expression became serious. “Hear what? What happened? Are you okay, Lexi?”
    “I’m fine.”
    I gave him a brief rundown and then sat back in my swivel chair. “I just wanted you to know in case anyone comes here looking for me. I don’t want this to reflect badly on X-Corp in any way.”
    “Reflect badly? You helped stop a group of potential terrorists. I don’t see how that could reflect badly on X-Corp.”
    “Well, unfortunately, they didn’t capture the people making the bombs, except for one. That one guy happens to know I work at X-Corp.”
    Finn frowned. “Are you worried for your