Exploited
Page 41

Kyle and I returned to our lunch, eating in silence. I wished I could look at it like Kyle did. But I knew better. I had seen the virtual footprint left behind. I could tell that Chuck’s disgrace wasn’t the bottom line.
I knew there was another motive.
I had to be vigilant. Careful about what I did at work, about emails I sent. Even if they were from my encrypted account. No more IRC on company time.
I would watch the watcher and see what they were after.
If it really was me, then I’d be ready.
I put the remains of my lunch in my bag just as my phone dinged with an incoming message.
“Someone’s popular today,” Kyle teased as I pulled my phone out of my pocket.
“Every day, Kyle,” I joked back, glancing down at my screen.
I can’t wait until the weekend. Can I see you tonight?
My heart flipped over and tumbled dangerously.
I smiled. I couldn’t help it.
Biting on my lip, I quickly typed out a reply.
Time and place?
“Who was that?” Kyle tried to peer at my phone and I quickly shoved it back into my pocket before seeing Mason’s reply.
“Jeesh, you’re being nosy today,” I said with a laugh, reining in my annoyance.
“Is it a guy? Are you dating someone?” Kyle asked, turning back to his pudding. He wouldn’t quite look at me.
We had entered awkward territory. Kyle and I weren’t traditional friends who talked about personal lives. His asking me such an invasive question was out of character and more than a little off-putting.
I wanted to tell him to mind his own business. I didn’t want to share Mason. Not with anyone.
He’s mine…
“It’s cool if you are,” Kyle went on, scooping pudding up with his fingers and shoving it in his mouth. I felt ill watching him eat.
“Why does it matter?” I asked, mildly annoyed. My phone dinged in my pocket, but as eager as I was to see Mason’s response, I didn’t look. Not with Kyle being a little too interested.
Kyle wiped his hands on a napkin and balled it in his fist. “Because it’s nice to know things about your friends. We’re friends, right, Hannah?”
“Sure we are,” I placated. “Yes. It’s a man I’m dating.” It felt weird to admit something personal to Kyle. But what could it hurt?
“What’s he like?” Kyle asked, his voice off.
I peered at the younger guy and wondered what was bothering him. Was he jealous? I had never gotten the impression that he liked me…but maybe I was wrong.
“He’s an FBI agent, actually.” I grudgingly gave him some information. Why was I feeling so possessive?
“An FBI agent, huh?” Kyle muttered. Was he pouting?
“Yeah, pretty cool, right?”
Kyle seemed to get over whatever was bugging him. He relaxed and grinned. “Yeah, that is pretty cool. Just don’t let slip about your awesome friend Kyle and his work high jinks.”
I laughed, glad he was acting normal again. Kyle didn’t think of me like that. We were buddies. That was it.
“I think Mason’s got bigger things to worry about than an IT dude who likes to mess with his coworkers’ email.”
Kyle raised his eyebrows. “ ‘Mason,’ huh? That’s a very masculine name.”
“About as masculine as ‘Kyle.’ ”
Kyle puffed out his nonexistent chest. “That’s me, super macho.”
I snorted and shook my head. “Okay, well, I better get back to work.”
We both got to our feet and Kyle threw away his trash. “Don’t forget to keep me in the loop about our hacker friend,” he whispered as we made our way back into the building.
“Just don’t go around talking about it. It’s on the hush-hush.” I gave him a pointed look.
Kyle pretended to zip his lips and I wagged my finger at him in warning.
I quickly pulled out my phone to see Mason’s message. It had been burning a hole in my pocket.
My place. 8:00. We’ll order dinner. Then we can do it all over again this weekend.
Everything was going perfectly.
I was one step closer to being on the inside. To having the access I needed.
I thought about the hacker who was now trying to hack me.
About Charlotte.
About what she would do without me, if it ever came to that.
The thought made my blood run cold.
I tapped out my response.
Can’t wait. See you then.
I needed to stay on top of this.
There was too much at stake.
The most important thing being my freedom.
I returned to my desk after lunch, thinking about Mason. About how I was going to play this now that things were moving faster.
I sat down in my chair, reached for my mouse, and—
My hand hovered over an object that hadn’t been there when I had gone to lunch.
I picked it up, holding it carefully in my palm.
The small yellow smiley face pin was cool in my hand.
I turned to Carl and held out the pin. “Is this yours?” I asked him. Carl, looking startled at my talking to him, glanced down at the yellow button and shook his head.
“It’s not mine.” He sounded defensive. As if I was accusing him of something.
“Okay, no biggie,” I said, turning away from him, a bit bewildered.
I stared down at the smiley face for a little longer, wondering about it.
Then I shrugged and tossed it in the garbage.
Chapter 13

Hannah
Why was picking out a suitable outfit so difficult? Maybe because my clothing choices were woefully insufficient. I grumbled as I pawed through boring shirts and even more boring skirts. Nothing was right.
How did one dress when playing spy? Should I wear all black and a balaclava? I could tell Mason I was into role-playing.
I rolled my eyes and kept searching through my dismal outfits.
I was almost relieved when my phone rang. It gave me an excuse to stop obsessing about wardrobe options. But when I glanced at the screen I saw a number I didn’t recognize. I thought about ignoring it. I didn’t have time for phone calls. I had to get ready to go to Mason’s.
But curiosity had me answering it.
“Hello?”
A pause.
“Hi, Hannah.”
My stomach fell and I dropped the shirt I had been holding onto the floor.