Technical Threat (Westin Force #4) - Julie Trettel Page 0,40

why me? You could have asked Susan to do this.”

I scowled and shook my head. “I don’t want to worry her. Not with this, okay?”

“Yeah okay.”

“One hour, Sage. Set an alarm on your phone just in case.”

“You’re kind of freaking me out, you know?”

I cringed. That was the last thing I wanted.

“It’s just a precaution, little one. It was supposed to be Nonna’s job, but she was tired and wanted to rest.”

“Ok. You promise it’s nothing serious?”

“It’s just business, Sage. I promise.”

I ensured my things were locked up tight, but grabbed my laptop and cable bag. Then I left Shay Vous and walked across the street.

I knocked twice on the front door before it swung open. An eccentric woman opened the door. She was wearing a brightly colored loose dress that hung to her feet, but while flowing, it was also form fitting, too. It was cut low showing heavy cleavage. Her hair was red and ran in a long braid down her back. I could tell but the tips at the end that it was naturally curly. One whiff and I knew she was a shifter.

I was relieved to find that. It meant she wasn’t likely Raglan.

“Hello,” she said coyly. “How can I help you, handsome?”

I pulled out a fake badge and flashed it too her. “Agent Tarron with the FBI ma’am, cybersecurity division. We’ve traced a breech to a top secret network at this location. You wouldn’t know anything about that, now would you?”

“Of course not. Do I look like some sort of enemy to the state?”

“The tracker was very specific. Do you have any computers or electronic devices in the house?”

She scoffed. “I live in the 21st century, of course I do.”

“Would you mind if I take a look around? It will only take a moment.”

“I have nothing to hide.”

“Are you the only resident of the home?” I asked, knowing she wasn’t.

“No, my daughters live here too.”

“Are they home at the moment?”

“No, sir,” she said in a sarcastic tone.

I looked around the living room, then the kitchen. It was all clean, but a little clinical. There were no pictures on the wall or anything truly personal. Still there was something homey about the place, comforting.

I didn’t see anything that looked like my likely culprit. First, I went to the master bedroom, there was nothing there.

“I personally don’t even own a computer,” Shay informed me.

“Not even for business?” I asked.

“There’s one in the office at the café, Shay Vous, across the street. I work from there if I am in need of one, everything else can be done from my phone. Magical little device really. Technology has come such a long way, don’t you think?”

I somehow knew she was lying about the computer, but I didn’t press her on it, not yet at least.

“The remaining three rooms are all bedrooms too?”

“Yes. My daughters’ rooms.”

I opened the first, it was obvious a teenager lived there. I found a laptop and confiscated it before moving to the next room. It was a bit over the top in white and pink furs. It looked more like a movie stars room than an average persons. I couldn’t really discern how old the child was because it was so over-the-top, but there was another laptop that I took from it as well.

“Spectacular isn’t it? Decorated it myself. Sapphire is my pride and joy. Her beauty is well known in these areas. She’s very special,” Shay gushed.

Sapphire? She had failed to mention that Shay was her mother or that she too lived here when I asked. There was no doubt that it was the woman. How could it not be? With her exotic looks she certainly met the description her mother portrayed, plus, how many Sapphire’s could there be in one small town?

On the inside I was reeling over such a rookie mistake. I should have done more research before talking to the girl. I should have known who I was asking questions to.

The final bedroom was almost entirely empty save for a computer. At first look it wasn’t much and was disconnected. There was something disturbingly familiar about the room that I couldn’t quite place too.

“May I?” I asked.

“Of course. Wretched girl moved out. Good riddance to her too. Take it for all I care.”

“I’d like to check it first,” I said. “This could be what we’re looking for in which case your daughter may be in a world of trouble.”

Shay laughed. “She doesn’t get in trouble and she isn’t smart enough for