Page 70 of Pretty Vengeance

Killian and I are both pursuing computer engineering degrees, so we can get access to old network storage data, but we don’t have the clearance the two older guys who actually work for the IT department do.

GU is the place where tech billionaire Drew Ralston began his company and created the sophisticated encryption software used by financial institutions all over the world. Anyone with code that can be used to create a key that unlocks Ralston-encrypted data will have access to billions of dollars. It could lead to the ultimate digital heist.

Grabbing a glass of water, I add, “I’m going to do some reconnaissance on the living situations of the non-student IT guys, too. At least one of them was here when Ralston was.”

“I should do surveillance since I’m not on the hacking and I keep later hours.”

He’s right that Killian and I crash early these days because team training is ramping up. The closer we get to the season, the more intense the schedule will become.

I shrug. “I’ll have time on my hands while campus is running with a skeleton crew.”

“No one should gather intel on houses next week when random extra family members may be coming and going from people’s houses. You want an accurate picture? We should watch the IT guys during an ordinary week.”

“Sure, but next week, extra cars driving slowly through neighborhoods will go unnoticed, precisely because of the holiday visitors.”

“Yours wouldn’t. Porsche?”

“Fair.” I rest my hands on the counter, wondering why we’re having this conversation. War can’t really be that interested in the details of a low-risk surveillance operation.

“So,” he says casually. “No reason to be here. Pack up and come to Boston.”

“Nah, other plans.”

His dark eyes flick to my hands as they clear away loose plastic bags and other debris. War nods and rises, grabbing the mustache scissors from the countertop.

It’s the second time he’s suggested I go to Boston for Thanksgiving, which I’m sure means something, but I don’t know what.

For a time, he and I moved as a unit, working and playing hard in the off hours. While school and work haven’t changed, the house dynamic has. War and I didn’t have many hard boundaries until I started bringing Sawyer over. My moving to the downstairs bedroom with her was a clear message.I’m keeping this one to myself. And out of your way.

“Your mother’s coming to town? For the holiday?” I ask.

He makes a nonspecific grunt of affirmation without turning around as he walks back to his room.

There’s maybe a rift there. His mom’s a four-hour drive away, give or take, but he hasn’t gone to New York all year. When I went to Ireland right before starting uni, War flew to Eastern Europe, with the war waging, no less. He never said what he did during the trip, and I didn’t ask.

Honestly, I don’t give a toss what my friends get up to when it’s got nothing to do with me, and he’s the same. That’s men for you. Meanwhile, Cranberry Sauce and Ash keep me updated on all their life events, both great and small, and also how they feel about them. It’s a strange thing with girls. Not unwelcome, but odd.

I grab my laptop and walk to the couch. Speaking of hacking, there’s another thing I need to get on with before Sauce arrives and I get distracted. After I open my computer, I enter my password.

Granthorpe used the same class ring company for fifteen of the target years and hacking into their network was easy. Old purchase data, however, was merged and archived. It took some work to uncover files with useful information.

Now, I’ve got to review the catalogues to find design names and write some code to scour the massive files to get the purchaser information I need.

I get to work, and a couple of hours later, I run the executable I’ve written. It spits out a table that includes everyone who ordered the style of signet ring I’m looking for. I sort by university, checking logos and crests as necessary.

In the end, I’ve got a handful of names.

Among them is one I don’t expect.

Allendale.

30

SAWYER

After I’ve packed and submitted all the coursework that’s due, I feel so free. There’s one exam on Tuesday that I’ll study a bit more for, but otherwise I’m basically on break.

My head buzzes with all the cool things Jamie and I could do during the week. My phone rings and a picture of Ash sticking her tongue out pops up on the screen, making me smirk.