Chapter 2 #2
But before my hand can wrap around my phone, my computer starts making a weird noise. It almost sounds like…
It’s ringing?
My eyes snap back to the screen and find a pop up centered in the middle, an answer button glowing hot pink. Against my better judgment, I click it. The lure of finally getting somewhere in this investigation is too strong for me to resist.
I expect whoever this Pierce is to be the face that fills my screen, but I don’t think the pretty blonde grinning at me is named Pierce.
“Hey there.” She leans closer to her screen, blue eyes wide. “Aren’t you a cutie.”
That has my brows climbing up my forehead. I don’t think anyone’s referred to me as a cutie since I was in elementary school. Most descriptors are significantly less flattering.
Dick.
Asshole.
Prick.
Mother fucker.
The last one isn’t as offensive as they think it is, because I’ve never had a problem with fucking mothers. Especially if it pisses their sons off.
The blonde woman’s smile turns sly. “And a grumpy Gus, too.”
The fuck is this woman’s deal? I can’t decide if I like her or hate her, and I don’t usually have issues making that call.
Mostly because I hate just about everybody.
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes at me like I’m the annoying one here.
“I’ll get to the point since you’re being all silent and broody about this whole thing.
” Her fingers move to the keyboard in front of her, tapping against it as she continues talking at a concerning speed.
“I’m sending you some information. It’s coming from a secure server, so when you click on it you’ll be moved through a few different steps before you can access it.
It’s everything we’ve collected so far on the case you've been working. Unfortunately, it’s not very much.
” Her head tips and her fingers still. “Which I’m guessing you probably already know since you don’t have very much either.
” She goes back to typing, her eyes zoning out a little as she focuses on whatever she’s doing.
“I’m pretty sure you have more than us, though, so I think it’s time for comparing notes. What are you doing this afternoon?”
I’ve managed to keep up with her train of thought until this moment. “Why?”
The woman snorts. “If you think you’re going to annoy me with one word answers, you should probably know I work with a dozen men just like you, Captain Crabby Pants.
” She stops typing and seems to zero in on me again.
“I’m asking, because we would like you to meet a few of our people at your earliest convenience. ”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Why?”
“I already told you, Mr. Crabs.” She’s back to typing again. “So we can compare notes.”
“Why would I want to compare notes with you when you’ve admitted you don’t have much information?”
The blonde's eyes widen, her lips stretching into a smile. “More than one word at a time? I’m flattered.” She pushes her keyboard to the side, propping an elbow on the desk and the line of her jaw against her fist. “I’m gonna level with you, Grumpapotamus.
We really don’t like human traffickers. Not at all. ”
“But?”
“There’s no but.” She tips her head, a dimple flashing at me.
“I mean, obviously I have one, and let me tell you, it is majestic. But the reason we’re reaching out to you is because it has been a real struggle to find someone willing to speak out against all the shitheads.
” She takes a deep breath, blowing it out.
“And that’s making it really hard to figure out who all is involved so we can uninvolve them. ”
Uninvolve them? “And how do you plan on accomplishing that?”
The blonde purses her lips, considering for a second before offering, “I don’t think I can answer that until we know a little more about you.”
Not gonna lie. My interest is piqued. But I’m still not convinced meeting with whoever these people are is a smart decision. They could be setting me up. This might all be an elaborate ploy to uninvolved me. “That’s pretty fucked-up considering I don’t know anything about you.”
The blonde perks up. “Oh shit. I didn’t even introduce myself, did I?” She flips her long blonde hair behind one shoulder. “My name's Heidi. I’m a hacker at Alaskan Security.”
“So you’re the one who set up the website I found.” It’s an easy enough deduction to make.
“No. That was Harlow. But she’s also kind of a sour pants, and we figured you two would just stare at each other, not saying anything for an hour. Everyone decided I was the best option to talk to you first.”
Heidi takes a long drink from a cup that’s almost as big as she is.
“I’m gonna level with you, Mr. Morose. You might as well just go meet with our team tomorrow, otherwise I’m going to have to fuck up your life.
I don’t want to close all your credit cards or turn off your electricity or add your email address to every MLM list in the world, but I will.
” Her expression becomes serious in a way I haven’t seen it.
“Because we aren’t above doing whatever it takes to find those missing girls. ”