“And then people started talking about Eva Luciano.”
Fuck. I try not to blink or breathe or give anything away. “Oh, yeah?”
“She’s known for being good with computers, she’s believed to be behind some past hacking scandals. No proof, but the rumors have circulated for years. I have no idea if she’d have the skill to pull this off, but it hasn’t stopped people from talking.”
“What are they saying?”Calm Hudson, stay fucking calm.
“Well, they think she has the connections to get dirt on these men—her family has been working here in DC for generations. She’s believed to have the coding skills to send untraceable file drops, even if I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but ever since her name was mentioned, the theory has really taken off, with hundreds of comments and posts pointing in her direction.”
Well, fucking hell.“Is hers the first name anyone has linked to TruthDrop?”
“This is the first theory I have seen stick longer than a day. Even the hacker groups seem to think she could be behind it.”
“Okay. Definitely interesting. Good job keeping an eye on this, Rios. I can take it to the Director from here. I’ll get in touch with the team running point on TruthDrop and see what they have so far. Send me the files you have when you can.”
“Will do, sir. One more thing… I mean, I know she’s a Luciano, but, if she is behind this—or even if people just think she is—she could be in danger. Anyone else afraid of being exposed wouldn’t hesitate to take her out if it saved their skin.”
“I’ll make sure we get eyes on her and see how Director Marsden wants to proceed.”
Rios confirms and returns to his desk.
I won’t be telling Marsden adamnedthing.
When Luna gets out of that room, we have a hell of a lot more to discuss than how to keep our group from splintering. Maybe everyone will put their egos aside to make sure Eva is safe.
A guy can fucking hope.
Thursday Night, Day 29
Luna and I have managed to convince everyone to meet tonight at the mansion. We assured them it was an emergency, which has everyone around the table eager to hear what is going on. The tension is palpable as fuck and not in a good way.
The energy radiating off Pippa is borderline manic, although she’s trying to hide it. She’s fidgeting, clearly uncomfortable and ready to bolt. Enzo is a shield, Jules is unreadable. Eva, Luna, and I eye each other wondering what the fuck to do about these three.
“I’m so sorry,” Luna begins, “this is my fault. I mean, it’s our fault.” She gestures at Jules and Pippa.
“No, Luna—” I interrupt.
“No, Hudson, just let me tell them. You all figured out pretty quickly we’ve been behind the TruthDrop files.”
Enzo, Eva, and I confirm.
“I’ve been really careful—there is absolutely no way to trace the files back toanyone.” She looks to Eva, then Enzo.
“What’s going on Luna?” Jules asks with concern.
“The public’s theory over the past several years is that it’s been angry women or victims who have been sending files to the media. From time to time, people have made assumptions that it’s someone on the inside. Someone in organized crime or trafficking who knows the ins and outs. Maybe family members of the predators even?—”
She’s rambling. I decide to step in. “What Luna is trying to say is that hackers and media alike have been grasping at straws because there is no real proof out there. Today, an analyst told me a group online is pointing fingers at Eva.” I look directly at her.
“Me?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Enzo says.
“Some chatter started a few days ago that whoever is behind this would need inside criminal knowledge and hacker-level computer skills. You’re a woman who fits the profile.”
“Fuck!” Enzo slams his fist on the table.
“Eva, I’m so sorry.”
