1st Case - James Patterson Page 0,12
app’s administrator had over the content, or even the devices that people used to access it.
All we could do for now was work with what we had. So while Eve called Keats to catch him up, I printed everything out in hard copy and spread it across her dining room table. Then we started moving the pieces around, trying to guess at an order, make connections, and hopefully start to pull this whole puzzle together.
CHAPTER 12
Please tell me you don’t actually watch that crap.
It’s a good show.
Yeah—on MARS.
It’s a good show EVERYWHERE.
Goodbye.
Nice knowing you.
Very funny
—————
Do YOU think you’re pretty?
Honestly, I don’t know.
I know I’m not ugly but …
I bet you’re beautiful.
What about you?
Do you think you’re good looking?
Can I tell you the truth?
Of course.
Then yeah. I think I’m good looking.
Can I send you a pic?
—————
Is your name really Beth?
No … ☺ Is your name really Rob?
No. Do you want to know my real name?
Not yet
That’s ok. Besides, BETH IS WAY HOT.
Thanks, so is Rob.
Hope you don’t mind
It’s just good to be careful.
Your parents would be so proud.
Shut up.
I’m serious.
Keep shutting up.
☺
—————
Where were we?
You were asking me to unbutton my shirt.
Next question?
—————
Tell me something I don’t know about you.
That’s easy.
You don’t know anything about me.
I know you call yourself Beth.
I know your personality is f-ing hot.
I know you were adventurous enough to find me here.
I also make really good burritos.
Okay then.
That’s just about everything, isn’t it?
I’m also not wearing any underwear right now
I stand corrected.
—————
Hold on.
I better lock my door before we go any farther here.
Good idea
You don’t want your brothers walking in on this, haha.
??
How do you know I have brothers?
You told me.
I did?
—————
Did you get the pic?
Yeah, and …!!!!
Is that really you?
Your turn.
Show me something I haven’t seen before.
You are so GREEDY!
What’s your point?
Okay fine.
Nice!!
Do you even know how beautiful you are?
You can’t even see my face.
I don’t need to.
You’re sweet
You too
I really want to meet you sometime
—————
Go on. What else?
I’m going to take my time.
I’m going to make you wait.
I’m going to make you take your time, too.
Do you want me to touch myself now?
Yes.
Good, bc I already am.
—————
Do you think about me when you … you know?
By yourself?
Are you kidding? Every time.
Does this help?
Save it for later.
RU kidding??? NOT saving for later.
God, you’re so f-ing hot. No lie.
Can I see your face?
Pls????
First I want you to get hard.
And then?
Show me.
And then?
We’ll see.
—————
Me too! I love that stuff. Can’t get enough.
Now you’re just saying that.
I’m not. Swear.
Have you been looking at my Snapchat?
How could I see your Snapchat?
I don’t even know your name
Good point.
FWIW, I’m T.J.
Wow. Really?
For real.
Hi T.J. for real.
You don’t have to tell me yours if you don’t want.
It’s okay
I’m Gwen.
—————
I lay you down on your own bed
I ask you if I should keep going and you say yes
You feel me, grinding against your thigh as I kiss your neck
Wow
Don’t stop.
I won’t
This is only the beginning, Gwen
We have to meet
Sooner or later
Don’t you think?
—————
yes is a world
& in this world of
yes live
(skillfully curled)
all worlds
Did you just write that?
EE Cummings
Beautiful
Like you.
Say yes, Gwen.
Pls?
—————
I can’t.
Not tonight.
Please? Why not?
Parents here. So are my brothers.
I can be quiet.
Let me just come to your window.
One kiss and I’ll go
Swear.
You don’t even know where my window is
95 Geary Lane?
??????
It’s called the internet.
You are so bad!
Is that a yes?
I don’t know.
I’m coming over unless you say no
You still there?
Oh god
Are we really going to do this?
Ha. See you soon.
You won’t regret it
xo
CHAPTER 13
“I HAVE TWO pieces of advice,” Eve said as I was getting ready to leave. “When you’re back to the office, I want you to take the credit for finding this app.”
I shrugged on my jacket. “Won’t they take me more seriously if I say it came from you?” I asked.
“Maybe at first,” she said. “But it’s still a boys’ game at the Bureau, and it’s time for you to start playing. We have to watch out for each other.”
I was struck by the word we. Maybe I wasn’t Eve’s professional equal—not yet—but I was her colleague now. Which was amazing. It felt like just yesterday she had been walking little sixteen-year-old me through the very basics of robotics, and maybe five minutes ago she had been writing me a recommendation for grad school.
Now here I was working alongside her for the FBI. It hadn’t stopped being surreal yet.
Even so, the idea of taking credit for something I didn’t do sat on the wrong side of my gut. She was the one who discovered the app, not me.
“Isn’t that just lying?”