Page 53 of The Rough Ride

“You’re right.”

“They had some suit from upstairs fill in for you yesterday.”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Really? Who was it?”

“The guy mumbled an introduction at the morning meeting. None of us caught his name, so we referred to him asthe suitfor the rest of the day. We never saw him again until quitting time.”

Liz leaned a hip against the desk and crossed her arms. “Huh. Did you guys get any work done?”

“Sure,” Carmen hesitated. “Lots of research, but no catches. We’re not used to having an absentee supervisor. We made the best of it.”

“Okay. Let’s change tactics today and see what we can find. I’m off to get coffee, check in with the major. I’ll join you guys in a few.” She let Carmen out first and locked her office door.

“Watch your step with the major. She’s in full uniform and breathing fire. She already yelled at two people this morning,” Carmen noted with a wink.

Liz poured coffee and hustled toward the major’s office. Something was up. Usually, Major Chan projected a calm demeanor. Liz rounded the corner and almost ran into Erin, the major’s administrator. Her arms were loaded with files. Her face held a worried expression.

“I’m so glad to see you here today. I need to talk to you, Liz. Really soon.”

Liz helped her balance the heavy files. “Okay. What’s up?”

Erin whispered, “Not now. Not here. Maybe we can take lunch together or something?”

“Um, okay. If not today, then tomorrow.” Liz placed the last slipping file on top, close to Erin’s chin.

“It can’t wait until tomorrow. Let’sreallytry for today, please?”

“Alright,” Liz offered her a reassuring smile. “I’ll do my best.”

The major’s voice boomed from her office. “Erin, are you chatting again? The colonel needs those files ASAP.”

Liz held an index finger to her lips. “My bad. I’m the one who slowed Erin down. She’s headed for the colonel’s office right now.”

Erin mouthed a thank you and hurried toward the elevator.

Liz approached the doorway. “Morning, Major. Just checking in before I visit the bullpen. Anything I need to know?”

The major looked up. “Intense morning around here. Come in and shut the door, lock it if you wouldn’t mind. The last thing I need is another numb-nut barging in and slowing me down. Have a seat.”

Liz sat on the green leather chair closest to the desk.

“We’ve got a ninety-two percent positive ID on the hacker messing with your online personas.”

Liz raised her eyebrows and waited.

“He or she, although, we believe it’s ashefrom the intelligence, is among the top twenty most wanted hackers in the world. Her screen name is Illusia. We’re still digging for the birth name identity of this hacker. What we haven’t figured out is why your files, why now?”

Liz swallowed hard at the information that just dropped a rock in her gut.Breathe.Hackers don’t physically reach out to harm people. Their currency is information.They attach and parasite themselves.

The major pensively tapped a pencil on the desk. “For some reason, this Illusia found your DHS profiles a good fit for their needs. They’re fishing for government info, I suppose.”

Unease trickled across Liz’s shoulders. “What about the flowers?”

“Yes. I’ll admit the flowers are a deviation from the norm for this hacker. We’ve got a team of profilers and shrinks in for a consult on this, but I won’t have their reports until tomorrow.”

The major continued. “Unfortunately, you’ll be starting from scratch again with your online work. The newer laptop on your desk contains state-of-the-art programs to build brand new personas. The software folks made sure there weren’t blind entry points or back doors in this updated version. It’s a slightly different platform, but you’ll adapt quickly, I’m sure.”

Liz rubbed her hands together in an effort to warm them. “Okay, I’ll get to work.”

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