Page 34 of The Rough Ride (Sanctuary, Inc. #3)

L iz plopped her purse on the conveyor belt at the security entrance of her Homeland Security building.

Today was a day of celebration. If only a flash mob would pour out from the eight elevators to help her sing and dance a show tune in the austere marble lobby, and help her gift the ladies at the information desk with bunches of pink roses.

She’d spent yesterday with Nick and Ella. Her heart hadn’t been this light in, well, let’s see, maybe forever. There was nothing to hide anymore. Her precious little girl had a daddy, and someday Ella might even grow up in a family with two loving parents. What more could Liz possibly ask for?

She’d worn a red blouse today with a flamboyant floral scarf.

It complimented her dark hair and livened up her plain black suit.

Loud clothing was totally out of character for her, but this new lease on life demanded a colorful splash of fun.

She was over it . No more contemplating what she could’ve, should’ve, would’ve done differently in the situation.

And furthermore, she’d fought like a warrior to regain her life and personal balance.

She was damn proud of her accomplishments.

Liz raised her chin, smiled at the security guy, and whisked the cross body purse over her head. She looked inside. Yup, they were on a no liquid kick today. Her hand lotion and antibacterial gel were gone. But somebody loved her: they’d left her favorite yogurt in the clear lunch bag.

The elevator opened as soon as she pushed the button, and she smiled at the mirrored door. Boom. She had this. Whatever the day threw at her, she’d overcome. The big stuff in her life? It was already handled.

She bounded from the elevator and strode toward her office, greeting a few folks along the way. She’d barely hung her jacket and purse on the hook in her office when Carmen rushed in, her brows furrowed.

“Hey. I can’t see you on my system anymore. Is everything okay?”

“Oh yeah, don’t worry. They moved me to a different server. New project. No big deal. I’ve got two laptops to stay on top of all the projects in the bullpen. You’re here early.”

“Four-day weekend. I got a lot of extra sleep and went to the gym at five this morning. I figured I may as well get started.”

“Ready to catch some bad guys?” Liz fired up both computers and adjusted the window blind to reduce the glare, beaming a smile at her coworker.

“From your lips to God’s ears,” Carmen laughed. She leaned forward and whisked a finger through Liz’s scarf. “You’re mighty colorful today. It looks good on you. Happy.”

“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 as the suit for 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’s really try 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 a she from 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.”

The major leaned forward on the desk. “Look, Liz, I know this is a real bite in the ass. Your work is phenomenal in every sense of the word. Your world-building craft outshines people who’ve been here for ten years because you’re smart and talented and you insist on doing things right.

I wish I had a dozen of you. And your leadership in that bullpen is invaluable.

The brass sent some stuffed shirt down yesterday to fill in for you.

” She shook her head and smiled. “And your bullpen looked like a team of prize dogs without a musher, all mopey and noses to the ground.”

Liz chuckled. “You’re comparing my infamous bullpen to a pack of dogs?”

The major laughed. “You know me, Liz. I love my dogs. Hell, the dark web guys have an Eager Beagles sign on the wall in their den that they made themselves. Any comparison is a well-deserved compliment. Just don’t rat me out.

Last thing I need today is some tight-ass giving me a lesson on political correctness.

I know that each one of our people is invaluable and brilliant. ”

Liz stood and grabbed her coffee. “Your secret is safe with me.”

The major nodded. “You look revitalized today. You had a good day off?”

“Best day on or off I’ve had in a long time.” Liz smiled. “And you? Take any time?”

“No. I was here early again. I might take some extra days away in a week or two.”

Liz unlocked the office door and opened it a few inches. “Major?”

She looked up. “Yes?”

“Are you sure I’m not in any danger from this person? Those flowers creeped me out, and I’ve got a family to think about.”

The major stood, giving Liz a confident smile.

“I suppose our imaginations could run a bit, but there’s no evidence to suggest any danger.

It’s not part of the MO for these professional hackers.

They leech onto an information highway and ride as long as they can.

When Illusia discovers the intelligence has stopped, she’ll go away.

If DHS finds anything to suggest otherwise, you’ll be the first to know. ”

Liz rolled her shoulders. “Okay. I’ll relax once I get busy in the bullpen. See you later.”

She wasn’t halfway down the hallway when Erin fell in stride beside her.

“I really need to talk to you in private, Liz. It’ll only take a minute or two. Are you going to your office?”

Inwardly, Liz sighed. It would have been nice to have a moment to breathe and relax. But if she avoided Erin now, lunch would be mandatory and judging by the time on the hallway clock, her lunch break would most likely take place at her desk.

“Sure, Erin. I’ll meet you there in a minute. Let me nuke my coffee.”

“I’ll walk with you. Thanks for covering with the major. She’s in a rare mood today.”

“Perhaps Major Chan is dealing with a lot. She worked during the holiday weekend.”

Erin rolled her eyes. “That’s for sure. I came in yesterday morning and she’d stacked a week’s worth of work on my desk while I was off. I don’t know how she does it.”

Liz slid her mug into the microwave. She focused on Erin. Something was unusual about her. “You look different today. Did you change something over the weekend?”

Erin smiled. “You noticed. No goth makeup. You like it?”

Ohh. “Well, the black eyeliner and lipstick worked for you, but this is definitely more professional looking.”

“I’m so glad you noticed. My boyfriend asked me to get rid of the black for a week and see if I liked it. It’s day five, and I’m kinda loving it.”

Liz pulled her mug from the microwave and headed for the hallway. “I’m glad for you. It’s important that you like the change, too.” She unlocked her office door and waved Erin in. “We only have a few minutes.”

“Right.” Erin looked at the floor. “The major told me something last Friday, and I owe you an apology.”

“For what?” Liz set her mug down.

“I was really nasty to you a couple weeks ago about your shoes. It’s just that you’re so pretty, and I couldn’t figure out why you wore such plain shoes.

I mentioned it to the major in passing, and she informed me that you’re a decorated veteran and you’d lost a foot in Iraq. I had no idea. It isn’t obvious. ”

Liz nodded. “I’ve worked hard to find my new normal, and when I wear a skirt, I wear tights so you can’t tell.”

A soft mewl escaped Erin’s throat. “I’m so sorry. I really didn’t know and have the utmost respect for veterans, especially those who give more than they should have to. Please forgive me. It was insensitive.”

Well, what a surprise. “It’s okay. Thank you for the apology. I appreciate it.”

“I’d like to make it up to you somehow. Lunch is unpredictable around here, but maybe a happy hour drink after work sometime. Or a girl’s night this Friday?” She grinned.

“There’s no need for amends, Erin. It’s fine. We’re fine.” So much penitence, it was hard not to believe her.

“Please don’t say no. I’d really like to get to know you better, and we could invite some other work people. It’d be fun.”

Carmen stuck her head in the open door and grinned. “Did I just hear you two talking about a girl’s night this Friday? I’d kill for a happy hour after work. Say yes, Liz. For the sake of working women everywhere, say yes to the happy hour.”

Erin chimed, “Just the three of us or invite the others from your bullpen. Whatever you want.”

Liz crossed her arms. She could go if Nick or her mom didn’t mind covering for several hours. Maybe she’d put herself out there. Although, she’d never considered Erin a friend, more like a coworker to avoid. “I’ll think about it. It could be fun. Let me check with my babysitter.”

Carmen reached over and high-fived Erin. “Best idea you’ve had yet, goth girl. Oh wait, no goth today?”

“Back to work, ladies. Chat in the hallway on your way to your desks.” Liz shooed them out of her office. It had been years since she’d gone to a happy hour. The possibilities.

She sat and woke up the desktop and the laptops, checking the workload before heading into the bullpen. Something was different with the new laptop. The red camera light stayed engaged no matter what she did to turn it off.

She grabbed her landline, called IT, and ended up leaving a message for the department supervisor.

“Morning, Pat. I’ve got a problem with my new laptop.

The camera light stays on. There could be a short in it or it needs a tweak or something.

You guys would know better than I. When you get a minute, send somebody over to fix it, please. Thanks a bunch.”

Liz gathered the papers she’d printed and glanced at the new laptop as the camera light blinked off. Odd. She grabbed a piece of opaque tape to put over it but changed her mind. Maybe there were new security measures in her office she wasn’t aware of.

She locked her door and walked toward the bullpen. An eerie unease tiptoed across her neck like a damp chill. The same weirdness she’d felt in Major Chan’s office. She looked around, backtracked, and made sure her office door had latched.

Something was amiss, but damn if she could put her finger on it.