Page 66 of Deadly Forever

“Bachelor and bachelorette parties,” Mandy answered. She wasn’t looking in James’ direction so she missed the furtive look on his face. It wasn’t lost on Maverick, though, and the computer genius narrowed his eyes as he surveyed his boss. “We’re splitting up for the evening.”

“That sounds fun,” Maverick said, choosing his words carefully. “Can I come?”

“Absolutely not,” James answered automatically. “You’re not even old enough to drink.”

“That shows what you know,” Maverick scoffed. “I’m twenty-one.”

“Since when?”

“It’s been almost a month.”

“Well, that’s neither here nor there,” James said after a beat. “You’re too young for what we have planned.” In truth, he switched up the original plan. He just hadn’t told his wife about it yet and he had no intention of doing it until he could surprise her later in the evening. Maverick’s attendance would throw a wrench in that plan. “You’re not invited.”

“You suck,” Maverick muttered, shaking his head. “I have no idea why I hang around with you guys and take your abuse. You’re mean.”

“Oh, don’t be mean, James,” Mandy said. “You can go to the bachelor party, Maverick. It will be fine.”

Maverick noticeably brightened as James scowled. “Thank you. You’ve always been my favorite. I hope you know that,” Maverick said.

“Oh, you’re sweet.” Mandy preened under the compliment.

“The sister has the better boobs and the model is the hottest woman on the planet, but you’re my favorite because you have a filthy mind and don’t always wear underwear,” Maverick added.

Mandy’s smile slipped. “I can revoke my invitation.”

“What? That was a compliment!”

James stepped between his wife and Maverick to head off a potential fight. “What do you have?”

“So far all I know is that whoever tried to hack into the computer did it from a proxy server location that I’ve managed to track back to Macomb Township,” Maverick replied. “I’m getting close to narrowing down that location, though.”

“Macomb Township?” James rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s where the school is. That’s where Kaspar was before he ran. I didn’t see anything in his file to indicate he was a computer genius, though. Whoever attempted to do it had to be good with computers, right?”

“Yes and no,” Maverick replied. “I think whoever did this had some formal computer training … like a class or something. Most computer hackers learn by experience and they come up with their own system. Whoever tried this followed a set plan, which is why it was so easy to detect the infiltration.”

“So … what are you saying?” James was confused.

“That whoever did this had computer knowledge but no practical application in the real world,” Maverick said. “If I had to guess, whoever did it was young.”

James ran his tongue over his teeth as he shifted his attention to Mandy. “Like a teenager?”

Maverick nodded.

“The only teenagers who would have an interest in this are dead, though,” James said. “They died in the mall.”

“Then I don’t know what to tell you,” Maverick said. “I’m on it, though. You can count on me.”

“Okay.” James held up his hands in a placating manner. “Keep at it. We need answers as soon as you find them, though.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Maverick said. “I won’t let you down.”

TWO HOURSlater James sat in the lobby going through computer files with Finn, Grady, and Jake while Mandy sat in the chair across from her husband’s desk and watched Maverick work. She was fascinated with the process.

“How did you get involved with computers?” Mandy asked, genuinely curious.

“I always loved computers because I could hide behind them,” Maverick explained. “I don’t do well in social situations – which you’ve probably figured out yourself – so I wanted a way to interact with other people without having to do it in person.”

“That sounds like a sad existence.”