Page 66 of The Five Year Lie

Who knew the shock value of a missing limb could actually be useful? “Yessir. It didn’t happen at the picnic.” Drew throws him a grin. “I won’t file for workers’ comp.”

“Sorry.” Ray chuckles nervously. “You just took me by surprise. I had no idea. Is that... You’re a vet, right?”

“Army. I got good at cornhole in the same country where I lost a leg. Win some, lose some.”

He blinks. “You need anything? Ice?”

“Nah, just needed a break. The kitchen was full of caterers, so I ended up in here. Sorry. Door was open.”

“It’s no problem,” he says quickly. “I could bring a folding chair outside for you.”

Drew shakes his head. “Probably time for me to head home and take a painkiller anyway. Unless you want a rematch?”

Ray snorts with laughter. “I’d better throw some practice shots first. But rest up, okay? I think we could set up the board in the office. Maybe between the design guys and the devo team.” He makes a show of cracking his knuckles. “I’ll get you yet.”

“Sure, sure. Don’t take the loss too hard. You could probably take me on the tennis court.” He pats his artificial limb.

“Likely story. You’re probably a ringer there, too.” Ray taps the doorjamb. “See you Monday, kid.”

“Later.” He watches Ray disappear. Then he closes his eyes for a moment and slows down his breathing.

Christ. So much for being the guy that nobody notices. He should never have come inside the house. Hell, he shouldn’t have come to this party at all.

Get it together, Marker. You used to be better at running a mission.

He stands gingerly. A glance out the window confirms that Edward is still seated outside at the makeshift bar, his post-surgical leg propped up on an overturned milk crate.

Drew’s knee gives a sympathetic throb. It may be the first time he’s ever felt any sympathy for that bastard. He knows how it feels to be the least mobile guy in the crowd. He’s been that guy.

And Edward’s wife is banging Ray?Jesus.He wonders if Ariel knows. Would she even want to? It’s hard to say.

Another moral quandary.Yay.But he’ll have to worry about that later. Right now, he needs to make like a rabbit and get the fuck out of here.

He reaches over and grasps the edge of the hulking desk for support, because his leg reallydoesache. As he levers Edward’s ostentatious chair back toward the desk, his hand brushes the cord of the computer mouse.

The screen blinks to life, revealing a spreadsheet. Not a lock screen.

Holy shit.The CEO doesn’t keep a password on his home computer?

Holy. Shit.

He drops back into the chair and reaches for the mouse. Another quick glance out the window shows him that Edward hasn’t moved. And Ray is heading across the yard, beer in hand, another smile on his face.

So he doesn’t waste time. He minimizes the spreadsheet and zeroes in on the boss man’s network connection, launching it onto the screen. Then he heads right over to the LiveMatch directory and double-clicks on the folder.

A menu he’s never seen before resolves on the screen.

Lowden Beta Programis the first thing on offer. He opens that menu and blinks as a lengthy list of camera feeds and usernames fills the page.

Reaching for the phone in his pocket, he unlocks it and starts snapping pictures of the screen.

22

ARIEL

“This is so exciting,” Tara says as she riffles through her closet. “Look at you going on a date!”

“It’snota date,” I insist. “Definitely not. Just a little excursion with my coworker.”