Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
She waves a hand, sacked out in one of my guest chairs, quietly drinking a soda with a straw. “I set up and manage the website for Hal’s Deli, and they pay me in food. It’s all good.” Per her usual arrangement, she looks adorable in a blue jumpsuit only women about five feet tall can get away with wearing. Her blond hair is back in a ponytail, and her smooth skin lacks makeup. Not that she needs it.
I nod at the bag holding the security disc of the Fairfax mansion that hopefully will show the day of the murder. “I need you to fix that.”
“I’ll do my best.”
While I know she’s brilliant and tough, she sometimes looks so fragile I’m not sure what to do. I feel a clock counting down for her, and part of that is her plan. “I’ve read through TimeGem’s formation documents, updated bylaws, employee handbooks, and tax returns that I don’t want to know how you acquired. I’ve also gone through your father’s last will line by line.”
Her shoulders slump. “Anything helpful?”
“No.” I owe her honesty—as well as free legal advice. “The will leaves everything to your stepmother.” Most folks don’t understand that anybody can disinherit their kids . . . but usually not their spouse, absent an agreement like a prenup. There was no prenup in this case, that I’ve found.
She sighs. “The will is a fake, but I can’t find the real one. I know, without question, that my father would not have left me out of the will. I think he granted me the corporation and left Sylveria with financial security.”
That sounds about right to me. “If there was another will, I’m sure she destroyed it,” I say thoughtfully. “But if we can find the attorney who drafted it, they’ll have a dated copy.”
She nods. “I know. I’ve hacked into most of the big law firms in Silicon Valley and am now spiraling outward to other big cities in California. It’s taking some time.”
“Hacking is also illegal.” I haven’t brushed up on the most recent criminal statutes and guess I should start.
“Please. They can’t catch me.”
I take a sip of my soda. “Says every convicted hacker ever.” I tilt my head. “If she had a falsified will created, why do you think she left you a trust in it?”
“Because it takes some suspicion off her. Everybody who knew my father wouldn’t have believed he left me with nothing. But the trust just took care of my schooling until I finished college. My stepmother isn’t stupid.” Ella sounds more thoughtful than angry, which is good.
I nod. “As I understand your plan, you’re trying to find a valid will. In the meantime, you’re hacking into the TimeGem Moments server. At least, you’re trying to do so.”
Now her eyes gleam. “Yep. Sylveria is actually pretty good at charging the diamonds that help power the servers, but our true connection is with citrines, and she can’t touch those. They’re mine. If I can get into the system, I might be able to attack the diamonds, leaving TimeGem completely vulnerable and in need of the citrines.”
As a plan, it’s good. And criminal. “They have to know you’re coming.”
She nods. “I know. But there’s hints of a fifth player making a move soon, and I’m covering my ass by adding to the rumors.”
My eyebrows rise. “So is there really a new social media company gaining traction?”
“Definitely. There are ghost rumbles across all four companies, meaning someone is conducting research, and we’ve all been hit with attacks and several viruses. So far, nobody has traced the accounts back to a source.”
Fascinating. “I’m worried about your safety.”
“I’ve moved my computer base several times, and very few people know where I live. Plus, any time I’m out with Alana, bodyguards are everywhere. Something tells me good ole Alexei isn’t too far from ordering guards on you.”
I roll my eyes. “Please. I’m his lawyer. He’s probably already moved on to another woman.” The thought shouldn’t hurt, yet my chest aches. I need to wake up and get a clue.
Ella stands. “When I finally find the real will, we’ll want to move fast with filing suit.”
“Of course. I have the documents ready to go, including the preliminary injunction to freeze TimeGem’s activities until a trial conclusion.”
Her sneakers are silent on my antique rug as she heads to the door.
“Ella?”
She turns.
“When you attack the servers, you’re not infecting the diamonds with a virus that’ll kill Sylveria, are you?” It’s a question a criminal defense attorney should never ask. But she’s my best friend.
Her delicate jaw hardens. “No. I want to win this one in the courtroom.” She winks. “Besides, I’ll only kill for you or Alana.”
A chill skates down my spine because I know she’s telling the truth. I take a deep breath. “Ditto.” So am I. Perhaps I can understand the family structure of the mafia.