Gwen
Chapter 12
“What makes you think those are my only options to retrieve my grandmother’s money?”
“I’m almost certain you have more, but the one I’m offering is quick and easy and without bloodshed. We’re well aware of your capabilities.”
“She isn’t going anywhere with you,” Max said, taking the invitation out of my hands. He flipped it over and glanced at the blank card. There was no indication of who was requesting my presence. The only thing I wasn’t telling him was that I’d seen that symbol before when Abby and cousin, John came to town to warn me and my sisters about a threat.
“I think I’ll pass on the invite,” I said, taking Max by the arm and pulling him toward the door. “But if I were you, Fillpot, I’d sleep with one eye open, because you and I have unfinished business.”
“I’m looking forward to the challenge, Ms. Bennett.” Fillpot bowed as we left the room.
I understood how he’d swindled my Grams. I’d expected a slimy car salesman and, instead, had just met a smooth, debonair, smart individual that had predicted my moves. He was anything but stupid.
“I guess our jig is up. No need for the diamonds in the family vault,” Max said, pushing the elevator call button.
As the doors slid open, we both stepped inside. “Are you breaking up with me?”
“Well, no need for the charade. It’s obvious what Fillpot wants, and it’s not the family jewels.”
“He might not, but I do. You know, I hear break-up sex is hot.”
“I thought that was make-up sex,” he asked.
“Makeup, break-up, it’s all the same,” I said, heading toward the security office.
“No, no, it’s not,” he said, taking my hand. “One day, when this is over, I’ll be happy to show you the difference.”
“You sound verysure of yourself,” I said as we stepped into the security room.
Marcus collapsed back in his chair. “Thank God you guys got out. I was giving you another two minutes, and I was going to call the cops.”
“Aw.” I smiled down at him and handed him back his master key card. “Your concern is touching, no matter how unwarranted.” I gestured to the computer station. “Do you mind if I use your computer?”
“Uh, sure.” He slid out of the chair.
I took his seat, pulling the notepad paper I’d taken from the room out of my pocket, and unfolded it.
“Is that…” Max asked.
“You should leave, Max. Plausible deniability.”
A smile twisted onto my lips as I went to work. Once I ghosted the computer to make it untraceable to even trained counter-attackers, I launched the software I’d designed. It was a counter-offensive that was attacking and tracking the Swiss account number back to its source. I’d left some tripwires to alert me to anyone following my pings. The program slowed and stopped on a single bank name in the Cayman Islands and the account number I’d typed. The wordVerifiedwas next to it.
I remotely connected to my computer at home to access my other software and let it run, trying to decode the password. It didn’t take as long as I thought. I cracked my knuckles, and within a few keystrokes, I’d removed every penny and transferred it to my own island account. When I was finished, I rose and realized the whole chase had taken two hours. My stomach grumbled.
“I’m famished; how about we get lunch?”
“How did you learn to do that?” Max asked, escorting me from the room.
“I can’t tell you that.” No way was I about to throw my sister under the bus.
“You’re mimicking someone else, aren’t you? You’ve seen this done first-hand?”
“No comment.”
Max had me bypass the restaurant with promises of deliciousness delivered straight to our door. I didn’t complain. Not when I still had work to do. He ordered our food, and we ate while I called in an update to Ms. Delany. She wasn’t surprisedthat someone had lured me to the island. She didn’t even seem surprised that I’d confiscated all the money from the thief. Nor thatI’d given everyone from the retirement home their money back before sending a nice little email with the account information to the FBI, along withdetails on the other accounts the douche had access too. Following the money should make it easier for them to track the guy.Maybe now they had enough evidence to put some iron around his wrists.
