With a tough new resolve, I quietly left the bathroom. I could see Mason in the living room, his back to me, watching the television. I had to go back in there and make things right. I had to smooth things over.
But first…
I quickly entered his bedroom, turning on the lamp by his bed. Tigger lifted his head from where he was sleeping in the middle of Mason’s pillow.
I scratched behind his ear, smiling when he started to purr.
I noticed that Mason’s briefcase was in the same spot it had been before. The man really had no sense of security, which was a little annoying. I wanted him to be smarter.
I don’t want deceiving him to be so damn easy.
With one ear listening for Mason’s footsteps, I opened it, shuffling through the case files until I found mine.
I hurried to the door and looked out, relieved that Mason was still in the living room. I had to act fast.
Opening it, I scanned the contents. Most of it was background information on my exploits.
I noted with satisfaction that their IP tracing had been unsuccessful, just as I had known it would be. Apparently Mason and his partner had been going through the thousands of botnets trying to find me. I covered my mouth with my hand to stifle my laughter.
Idiots.
I flipped through the paper, reading about each and every dead end with a growing relief.
I let out a deep breath, sagging against the wall.
They weren’t any closer.
I had been worried for nothing.
Then I saw a printed list that caught my attention.
I recognized the IRC chat room names.
And in particular one that was highlighted and circled.
**bike for sale**
My blood ran cold.
There were time stamps of live chats. All for the **bike for sale** chat room.
How in the hell had he found it?
I had grossly underestimated his abilities. I had thought him a far inferior foe.
I had been wrong.
There were notes scribbled in the margins, along with dates.
Ryan Law.
Smacktown.
Stanford Pharmaceuticals.
Mason was zeroing in on my time line. He had found our hidden chat.
He hadn’t decoded the encryption, but he had his eyes on us.
