Gil didn’t answer but continued reading. “They’re claiming Tez is fine, and if you do this quickly, he’ll be left in a safe location and we can get him back.”
“I’ll do it.”
“There’s no guarantee they’ll spare Tez. You could lose the money, lose the ability to help thousands of people live better lives, and still not get Tez back.”
“I appreciate the risk, but if they want to ruin my business, they can. If they want the money, they can have it. Whatever they want. I can’t not try.” Ivy swiped at a rogue tear. She would not cry. “Tez is nine.” An image of nine-year-old Gil flashed through her mind. “You know he’s old enough that something like this will impact him for the rest of his life. We give them what they want and get him back tonight. When he’s home and safe, I’ll deal with the consequences. I can start over.”
Zane leaned toward her, both of his hands on the table. “Ivy, I appreciate what you’re willing to sacrifice—”
“What I’mgoingto do.” He gave her a look, and it crawled all over her. “Zane Thacker, don’t patronize me.”
“Ivy, I wouldn’t do that. But you need to understand that wedon’t have time to protect you completely. If you go to Hedera, you’re risking your own life.”
Before Ivy could respond, the conference room door opened and Sabrina entered. She was dressed to kill in a floor-length evening gown. She was followed by a petite Asian woman in similar attire. “Sorry it took us so long.”
“SABRINA. LEIGH?”
Leigh Weston Parker grinned at Gil. “I was with Sabrina when we got the call.” She said this as if that explained everything.
Sabrina didn’t even say hello. “Tessa, please send me the photograph of the child.”
“Sure thing.” Tessa grabbed her phone.
Sabrina took in the room, and her eyes narrowed when she hit the strangers in the back. “Who are they?”
Faith answered the question. “FBI colleagues.” At Sabrina’s quirked eyebrow, Faith continued. “They’re trustworthy.”
That must have satisfied her, because she didn’t ask any other questions as she pulled her laptop from her bag.
Gil caught Leigh’s eye. “I’m thrilled that you’re here, but how—”
“We were together when Sabrina got the call. Our husbands dropped us off here and are headed to check in with Raleigh PD to offer their services.”
“No time for lengthy explanations.” Sabrina pointed to Ivy as she took a seat in a chair along the wall. “You’re going to ignore FBI protocol and give these people what they want.”
The FBI agents sat straighter in their seats. Zane crossed his arms over his chest.
Sabrina barely spared Zane a glance before she continued. “To be more precise, we’re going to make them think you have. Gil hadthe idea days ago, and I can implement it from here. Although, if you can get me into the Hedera offices without too much drama, that would be better.”
“You cloned the system?” Ivy asked.
“I did. And assuming this is a ransomware issue and they’re going to ask for the money, I wrote code we can use to handle the money transfer.”
Of course she did.
“Are you Dr. Sabrina Fleming?” One of the FBI agents at the end of the table had his eyes narrowed on Sabrina.
She didn’t look up from whatever she was doing on the laptop. “Yes.”
He sat back in his seat and turned to the agent beside him. “Whatever she wants to do, I say do it.”
“Agreed.” No hesitation from the other FBI agent. Obviously Sabrina’s reputation was good enough for them.
Zane cleared his throat. “Sabrina, I’m thrilled you’re here and that you have a plan for protecting Ivy’s business and assets. Getting into Hedera isn’t going to be a problem.” He filled her in on the most recent request. “But we also have to figure out what’s going on with Preston—”
“I have that information as well.” She pulled a flash drive from her pocket and tossed it to Gil. “You’re even smarter than you are handsome.”
Leigh coughed out an embarrassed laugh. “I’m not sure that was an appropriate compliment.” She turned to Gil. “For what it’s worth, coming from Sabrina, that’s high praise.”
