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the Seattle Daily News.
Her dad s desk, barely visible under the combined weight of the computer, reference
volumes, periodicals, and correspondence, was the room s natural focal point.
A flat screen TV, tuned to an all news station, blared from the alcove directly in front of
him. She raised her voice in order to make herself heard over the news program.  Hi Dad.
He fumbled for a remote, grasped it, and then muted the news show.  Happy Birthday,
Little Girl.
 Thank you. I have a few questions, she said in her best interviewer voice, knowing it
would please him tremendously.
 Now you re sounding like a reporter. He beamed at her.  Go ahead, shoot.
 What made you start investigating the In Place?
Pushing away from his desk, he stood and crossed to the globe suspended in a stand that
allowed him to twirl it. She watched him disguise the tremors that made his hands or head jerk,
pretending to be suddenly riveted by another part of the miniature world.  It was a couple of
things. He spoke haltingly, his voice quavering on long sentences.  Almost four years ago I
saw a notice of proposed land-use posted. I followed up on it one of those whims. He waved
vaguely to excuse his hunches.  Playing with my new toy, learning my way around the web.
DANGEROUS SURRENDER Evanne Lorraine 82
He paused again, this time to bestow a fond smile on his computer.  The new owner was a
corporation, one that I d never heard of. When I checked out what I could find in the public
records there was an odd pattern, but no story.
He paused to spin the globe and then returned to his desk chair before continuing.  A
few months later the club opened, with no advertising. None. We pitch them an ad in the
Making the Scene section an offer to do a piece on their business. No sale. The Northwest
News didn t run any space ads for them either. No radio, no TV, and yet there was a nice buzz
going on for the hot new night spot.
The housekeeper glided into the room, bearing a tray with a welcome glass of sherry for
Ciara and a single malt scotch over rocks for her dad.
He d risen and taken a couple of steps toward Agnes before Ciara had even noticed she
was in the room. Unless she was very much mistaken, he was holding in his stomach.
 Agnes, tell us where you would go if you wanted to get wild and crazy? he grumbled at
his housekeeper.
Her hazel eyes flickered over him, crinkling with mischief.  Excuse me?
Sinking into the chair next to Ciara, he gave up on his stomach for the moment.  Come
on, sit down for a minute. Pretend that you re going out on the town to do the wild thing. Tell
us where you d go.
His housekeeper followed his instructions so far as to perch on the arm of one of the club
chairs.  I do not go out to do the wild thing. If such an unlikely urge seized me, then I might go
to the In Place, presuming that I knew a member.
 And you do know a member don t you? he prompted, apparently delighted with her
answer.
 Yes, Agnes admitted, coloring faintly.  Now if you two want a memorable meal then
I m needed in the kitchen.
 Fine, go rattle your cleavers. Dad sipped his scotch.  See, even Agnes knows about
the club. So. I asked myself how do they get that kind of buzz going without advertising?
 So that s what made you investigate them? Ciara asked, giving him the encouragement
he clearly wanted to continue his story.
 There was one other factor. He paused dramatically, but she swirled the golden sherry
and ignored his bid for further audience participation.
 Tony Serrano, the manager for the newly remodeled club came from Las Vegas. He s a
minor crime family member. Minor or major, he s connected and he brought talent with him.
When I found out Tony was involved that triggered all kinds of flags.
 So you investigated, Ciara murmured, half to herself.  There s something I still don t
understand. How did you get the bank records?
He sat down the heavy tumbler and then stood. His head jerked toward his desk.  I
believe the popular term is hacking.
 You hacked into the bank s records? Her chin dropped and she sat down the sherry.
 Yes. His voice was a mixture of pride and embarrassment.
 You know that is illegal ....
 Don t even think about lecturing me on professional ethics young lady. Why & .
She held out a hand.  Slow down, I m just ... surprised. Stunned was closer to the truth.
She knew he had gotten hooked on surfing since his doctor had limited his office hours. But
DANGEROUS SURRENDER Evanne Lorraine 83
she d had no idea that he d turned into a hacker. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]