Devin pushed away from his desk. “So glad you had that idea because I was starting to feel guilty for already having a couple of programs running to break into Maximon’s server. No results yet, but anytime I hope. I’m also monitoring police calls and emails, so if a dead body comes up and fits the description of Mr.Black, we’ll know.”
Orla whistled, and that made Sam smile. “Are you always that efficient? No wonder you’ve achieved so much in your life.”
Devin still looked at her as if she was about to spit snakes, but amusement twinkled in the hacker’s eyes. “We all have our strong points. That’s why we work well as a team.”
Orla turned to Sam, but before she could utter a word, something beeped on the console. “Sorry kids, I need my brain cells for a minute as my little tiny tracker has finally found its way into Maximon’s main server. Hell, I thought it would take way more time than this. I’m good.”
Orla coughed, clearly trying to hide a laugh. “I’m baffled at how you fit that big head of yours through doors.”
“Lady, if I doubted myself, like a lot of people in this world, I wouldn’t try to achieve anything. I don’t claim to be an expert in everything, but I won’t play coy when I know I have talent in something.”
That was something Sam agreed with, even if his own talents were definitely on the wrong side of the law.
“That’s weird.” Fingers flying over the keyboard, Devin was hunched over the screen, deep lines around his eyes. “I’m trying to access files about Mr.Black, but they’re no longer there.”
“Maybe Mr.Black never used Maximon’s server; maybe everything is on his personal computer.”
At Orla’s words, Devin groaned. “That’s not what I meant. There was a folder marked ‘Mr.Black’, but it’s been moved, and they changed the name. Now it’s in a secured location under ‘Mr.White’.”
Something clicked in Sam’s brain. “Mr.Black was double crossed by Mr.White. And it seems Mr.White doesn’t want to lose potential information. That’s why he moved the files.”
Orla leaned closer to Devin, watching the screen like a hawk. Before he followed her gaze, Sam took a quick detour, admiring her ass sticking out.
“Data is one thing, but personally, I’d be more attracted to money.”
Orla peeked over her shoulder. “Personally? Well, some people prefer power, control, dominance.”
Sam shrugged. They were all valid reasons, just not one he’d pursued in his life. “Black and White wanted to control the Phantom’s distribution on the streets of Chicago. That brings money, power, and death, for sure. I wouldn’t just focus on one reason.”
Orla’s eyes thinned into slits as she looked at him. It was obvious she wanted to ask questions, but Sam knew he had no answers to give.
“Well, boys and girls, one interesting point is the financial folder is locked tight, and it will take me some time to get through without raising any flags. However, there is extensive research and documentation of different independent security groups and mercenary organizations. Some are well established, others, not so much.”
This time, his interest was piqued when Devin scrolled down the list.
“I just saw two terrorist organizations, and one has been down for at least six months.” Orla squinted, telling Devin to slow down. “I recognize another name from a mercenary group I worked with in Afghanistan. Another I met in Syria.”
Sam gasped when he recognized two other names. “Fortis? Purgatory? We’d better call L...” Sam almost slipped and said Lance’s name in front of Orla. It was becoming difficult to keep information from her.
“Who are they?”
Devin understood and nodded, ignoring Orla’s question. “I’ll ask him immediately. He had strong links with Purgatory, and some with Fortis. Someone may know something.”
At the clear lack of details or answers to her questions, Sam thought Orla would pop a vein.
“Guys. We’re in this together, damn it. Either you start sharing with me, or I walk.”
Devin perked up immediately, lifting his hand like a good little student. “Me, me! I have the answer.”
Ignoring his nonsense, Sam turned to Orla. “It’s not about trust. It’s information that isn’t mine, and I’m not at liberty to share.”
“As I said, we’re back at square fucking one. You don’t trust me. I’m the only link to it all and keeping me close is a pretext to make sure I don’t hide anything from you. Please, at least admit that much.”
Devin snickered which didn’t help the situation. Orla tried to sidestep him, but Sam wouldn’t let her. “Fuck, it’s not that clear-cut, and you know it. I’m not alone in this. Do you think I don’t trust you? I’m willing to, even if I’ve been viciously backstabbed more than once because of who I am and what I do. But this isn’t about me; I can’t take a leap of faith and jeopardize what has taken years to build.”
Visibly pissed, she pulled away from his grasp. “And I know how to keep secrets.”
The way her eyes turned to blue gemstones, hard and unyielding clearly showed she was hurt. Her reaction didn’t sit well with Sam. She had to see his point of view and understand it.
