Read Online Wired by Francine Pascal - Free Book Online Page B

stumped.
    Jake’s forehead wrinkled in concern. “So you’re saying Gaia’s the subject?” That much was pretty clear. Why else would that information be of any interest to Oliver?
    â€œWell, we can’t be sure, but I should expect so.”
    â€œBut you don’t know who is after her?”
    â€œNo real leads, I’m afraid” Oliver said ruefully, clasping his hands on his knee. “But this e-mail exchange in and of itself only serves as confirmation of my suspicions. It can hardly be denied that someone is after her. We just need to determine who.”
    â€œDo you think the answers might be in her computer?”
    Oliver barked a short, quick laugh. “What were you thinking? That we’d just hack into her laptop? Dont you think she’d realize if you’d been at her private files?”
    Jake flushed. “You’re right, of course. I always forget who I’m dealing with” Of course Gaia would notice if Jake had somehow just run off with her computer. His delusions of Bond were getting the best of him.
    â€œIt’s easy enough to do so. We’ve all underestimated Gaia at one point or another.”
    â€œBut not you. You never did.”
    Oliver cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair. “You give me too much credit. I have, at times, underestimated her. But I learn from my mistakes” He gazed wistfully at the wall, momentarily lost in thought. It could have been Jake’s imagination, but was Oliver slightly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking?
    â€œNow, then,” Oliver said brusquely, snapping back to attention and hastily straightening a disorganized pile of papers that lay scattered next to the computer. “Your job should be simple enough, especially given your relationship with Gaia. I merely want you to keep an eye on your girlfriend—a closer watch than before, given this new piece of information.” He began to tap a pen against the desk rhythmically. “I imagine you wouldn’t mind that.”
    Jake laughed. “Nah, that shouldn’t be too painful. But are you sure there isn’t anything more—?”
    â€œYou were hoping for what? Espionage? Deep undercover? Disguises? Fancy toys? Not just yet, my friend. There’s no need for anything more than active surveillance. I want you to report back any suspicious behavior, anything odd or off—even something Gaia herself might say or do.”
    Jake thought back to Gaia’s panicked indictment of Oliver the night before, her uncharacteristically clingy behavior in school. That was definitely suspiciousbehavior—but he worried that he’d sound like a real jackass “reporting” that his girlfriend was too
into
him lately. No, he’d take a watch-and-wait approach before reporting that, for sure. He wanted something more concrete. Something that seemed less, well,
Jake-centric
. Something less easily dismissed as ego. “Do you think it’s someone at the boardinghouse?” he asked suddenly. Anything was possible, after all—he was learning this fast.
    â€œDoubtful The boardinghouse is run by top Agency officials.”
    â€œBut infiltration would be possible, right?”
    â€œPossible, yes. But unlikely. However, I see no reason why the boardinghouse shouldn’t fall under the scope of your surveillance. Just don’t concentrate too much of your effort there.”
    â€œWhat about the Droogs? That’s the new threat in town. Do you think IV could have anything to do with whoever’s after Gaia?”
    A flash of consternation flickered across Oliver’s face, but when he spoke, he was composed. “Absolutely not. Droogs are simply immature thrill seekers who’ve run out of ways to pass time. I can’t think of anything less likely to be connected to Gaia. Don’t waste our time with such trivialities, Jake.”
    Jake was instantly contrite.