way anyone should have access to my system. Whatever was in that download package, it infiltrated my firewalls.
Dolos: Looking for info on Harold Coleman?
I hesitate to answer, rubbing my jaw. This whole thing feels hinky.
Dolos: Time’s ticking. Answer now.
When I don’t respond, they message again.
Dolos: Connor Alexander Bishop. Ridgeview, Colorado. Senior at Silver Lake High School. Varsity soccer captain. Son of city council chairwoman Vivian Bishop. Active social media presence. Girlfriend, Thea Kennedy. Oh, she lives next door. Cute. Should we keep going?
“Jesus.” I push back from the desk and scrub my face.
Within seconds they were able to doxx me and get a whole picture of my life. Not just mine. Thea’s, through her connection to me. This is a professional who knows what they’re doing.
If they’re on my system, they could get into my blackmail files or find the backdoor to Thea. Not happening. I drag myself back and release a ragged breath.
Connor: Enough, I get it. I’m here. Nice work on the search result embedding. You got me.
Dolos: Glad you’re paying attention.
Connor: You have details on Coleman?
Dolos: We do.
Connor: And??? Give it to me. I need it.
Dolos: That’s not how this works. First you need to do us a favor. If you’re successful, we’ll give you everything you’re searching for.
Connor: And if I refuse?
They can give it to me now or not at all. I don’t have time to play games. I’ll get it on my own.
Dolos: You can try. You’ll never find what you’re looking for. Coleman has friends in high places with deep pockets that helped him disappear the last time we had him pinned down. We’re the only ones with the info. It’s no longer public record.
Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose.
Connor: Who are you?
Dolos: Unimportant right now. Are you ready to make a deal?
Connor: Yes. Whatever gets me dirt on Coleman.
Dolos: Your task is retrieval. Locate Coleman’s house, get it back with proof, then we’ll be ready to do business.
An image attachment comes through the chat. It’s a necklace. A heart locket with the initials CT engraved on the front. After seeing those comments and the way Coleman’s creep factor turned up to eleven today, the sight of the locket makes an uneasiness settle in my gut.
Who the hell are these guys and how are they connected to Coleman?
Connor: Get the necklace and you’ll give me what I need?
Dolos: That’s the deal. Take too long and it expires.
Connor: Wait! I’ll need time. Coleman is evasive and good at covering his tracks.
Dolos: Fine. By the new year, or we’ll have to introduce ourselves to that pretty redhead.
I stand so fast to slam the desk, the whole thing almost overturns. A growl tears from me as I grab for the monitor to stabilize it. The desk left a dent in the wall. I type with all the force of the anger coursing through me.
Connor: Touch her and I’ll kill you.
Dolos: Better get to work then.
My screen goes black and non-responsive. When I do a hard reset to reboot the computer, the chat window is gone.
“Damn it!” My throat burns as I drag in air, breathing hard to regulate the fury.
Once I have myself under control, I collapse on the bed. The first thing I do is run a search for Dolos. My snort jerks my head when the results populate. It turns out Dolos is from greek mythology, a god of cunning trickery and deception. Fitting.
“Edgelords,” I mutter.
Next I text Devlin. I’m going to need help to pull this off. I doubt I can get Chief Landry to convince a judge to issue a warrant for Coleman with circumstantial evidence, even if I emptied my investment accounts for the bribe.
Connor: Feel up for some recon?
Devlin: Playing Batman again?
Connor: This is bigger than that. I’ll explain. I’m on my way over.
Devlin: Can you give me like an hour?
Connor: This is serious, man! You can get your dick sucked later.
Devlin: My parents just left town again sometime today, dude. You’re killing me [skull emoji]
Connor: You can last a few more hours. Bring her with us if you want, Blair might have more insight into what I need to plan.
Devlin: Which is?
Connor: Surveillance. Probably some B&E.
Devlin: [smirking devil emoji] That does sound like something she’ll know about.
Some of the tightness loosens in my chest. I knew my best friend would have my back. Grabbing my keys and wallet, I head out the door. On my way, I text Thea to check in on her.
Connor: How’s shopping? Find