Page 58 of Hacking His Code

“What did my son promise you?”

“If I solved the cold case, one million dollars.”

Ernestine laughs. “And if you don’t?”

“Nothing.”

“Then I’m afraid you’re about to go home empty-handed because I’m positive he made you sign an NDA, which would exclude you from profiting in any way.”

“Actually, I’m not so sure of that.”

Her brow lifts in surprise. “You found something?”

“No. I’m pretty sure the case will stay cold, but I’m not going home empty-handed.”

“Are you threatening blackmail?”

“No, not at all. If anything, I owe your son a great debt.”

“How so?”

“For one, he got my mother into treatment that she wouldn’t have received otherwise.”

Her eyes grow round with surprise. “That’s good. I’m glad.”

“But also, I have a lot of demons of my own when it comes to personal relationships. Hunter is…helping with that.”

“My sister was an introvert, so I understand.”

“Oh, it’s not just that. Sure, I’m an introvert, but that never really affected my relations with people. Recently, however, well, let’s just say I was hurt by someone.”

“I know betrayal.”

“Hunter is the only man I’ve trusted since, though admittedly, I barely know him.”

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say your trust is not misplaced.”

“What little good it does me now. I imagine he’ll send me home after he finds out you know why I’m at the estate.”

“Then let’s not tell him.”

I quirk a brow. “Seriously?”

“He needs to think he’s done everything in his power to solve my sister’s cold case, so when you come up empty-handed, maybe he can finally let it rest.”

“Like you said, I’m not a great actress.”

“Then, don’t act. Do everything you can to solve the case, but don’t let him know I’m aware of what you’re doing.”

“You make that sound so easy.”

“Just focus on the work. I promise you, though—you’re not going to find anything. Rand owns one of the biggest tech corporations in the entire world. Whatever computer skills you have aren’t going to best the teams of people he’s had scouring for any tidbit of information over the past twenty-plus years…legally or otherwise.”

“I figured.” I sigh heavily, my shoulders slumping. “So, is there anything you can tell me? Any clue that hasn’t made it into a file?”

“My sister is probably dead. If I had to guess, she was taken from some running trail by a pervert, and her body was never recovered. It’s horrible and grotesque, but the closest thing to the truth we’ll ever know.”

There’s no hint of skepticism in her voice. It’s clear that she’s come to that conclusion long ago.