Julian changed it when I was already hatching my plan—and I made sure I was nearby when he did so.I didn’t stare at his laptop, of course.That would’ve been suspicious.Instead, I quietly filmed him with my smartphone while pretending to be checking my email.
Now if only I interpreted the recorded keystrokes correctly…
Holding my breath, I put in “NML_#042160” and hit “enter.”
The computer screen blinks… and I’m in.
My breath whooshes out in relief.Now all I need to do is find the email from Frank, open the attachment, log into my own email, and send the list to the same email address that Peter has been contacting me from.
Should be easy enough, especially if I can keep my dinner down.
“Nora?”A knock startles me so much that I almost drop the computer.My lungs seize with panic, and I freeze, staring at the door.
Julian knocks again.“Nora, baby, are you all right?”
He doesn’t know I have his computer.The realization causes me to start breathing again.
“Just using the bathroom,” I call out, hoping Julian doesn’t hear the adrenaline-induced shakiness in my voice.At the same time, I open Julian’s email program and begin searching for Frank’s name.“I’ll be out soon.”
“Of course, baby, take your time.”The words are accompanied by the fading sound of footsteps.
I let out a relieved breath.I have a few more minutes.
I begin scanning through the emails containing the word “Frank.”There are over a dozen from last week, but the one I want should have a little attachment icon next to it… Aha!There.Quickly, I open it.
It’s a spreadsheet containing names and addresses.Automatically, I glance through them.There are over a dozen rows, and the addresses run the gamut from cities in Europe to various towns in the United States.One in particular jumps out at me: Homer Glen, Illinois.
It’s a place near Oak Lawn, my hometown.Less than a forty-minute drive from my parents’ house.
Stunned, I read the name next to the address.
George Cobakis.
Thank God.It’s nobody I know.
“Nora?”Julian’s voice is back, and the tense note in it makes my heart jump into my throat.His next words confirm my fear.“Nora, do you have my computer?”
“What?Why?”I hope I don’t sound as guilty as I feel.Shit.Shit, shit, shit.Frantically, I save the list to the desktop and open a new browser.
“Because my laptop is missing.”His voice is tight with the beginnings of fury.“Are you in there with it?”
“What?No!”Even I can hear the lie in my voice.My hands are beginning to shake, but I get to the Gmail page and begin putting in my username and password.
The doorknob rattles.“Nora, open the door.Right now.”
I don’t respond.My hands are shaking so much that I mistype the password and have to put it in again.
“Nora!”Julian bangs on the door.“Open this fucking door before I break it down!”
I’m finally in my Gmail.My heart hammering in my chest, I search for the last email from Peter.
Bang.The door shakes from a hard kick.
My nausea intensifies, my pulse racing as I find the email.
Bang.Bang.More kicks against the door as I click “reply” and attach the list.
Bang.Bang.Bang.
