Authors: Iris Johansen
“No. Whenever I take it out, it goes with me everywhere. The only way it could have happened…” Kendra could barely make herself say the words. “… was here, at home.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.”
Kendra felt sick as her glance moved around her condo. Her hairbrush, her computer … Her
home
. Eric Colby had invaded it.
“Kendra?”
“Yes. I’m here. I’m still trying to get my head around this.”
“I know.” He paused. “Any progress on figuring out who might have helped him?”
“Not yet. We’re still working on that.”
“And I haven’t had any luck in zeroing in on this guy’s location. The software he planted in your computer destroys IP-address data as soon as each session is complete. But I think I’m going to try something…”
“Try what?”
“I’ve put your computer back together, and I’m about to go back online with it. I think it will attempt to make contact with whatever computer he’s using. I’ll monitor the packets, and if a connection is made. I might be able to figure out where he is.”
“You really think you can do that?”
“It won’t be easy, but geniuses like me thrive on difficulties.”
“I’m tempted to knock you off that self-built pedestal, but I don’t want to discourage you. I
need
this, Sam.”
“I know you do.” His voice was grave. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but you had to know, Kendra. I’d have a security expert go over your place right away. It must not be that safe.”
“I thought it was very secure. I had problems before, and I thought I’d fixed all the possible danger points.”
“Evidently you missed a few. Or maybe even just one. That can do it.”
“Yes, that can do it.” She glanced around her living room again. Where had Colby been in the condo? Had he been sitting on this couch, looking down at her computer. The kitchen? Her bedroom?
Dear God, had she been in the condo at the time?
Had he had the nerve to break into her condo while she was still here? She wouldn’t put it past him. As she had told Stokes, he was an egomaniac who would take any chance to prove his superiority. He would have enjoyed the idea of being that close and having her both ignorant and vulnerable.
“You want me to come over and keep you company? I offer everything from sex to tutoring in the fine art of computer games,” Sam said. “No charge. Though my services are much in demand.”
“No, I want you to concentrate on that computer.” She said, “I’ll make sure that Colby can’t get to me.” She added grimly, “And if he does, that he’ll regret it. Call me as soon as you come up with anything, Sam.”
She hung up and drew a deep breath. It was all very well to claim that she’d keep herself safe, but she was feeling very vulnerable. Okay, call a locksmith and get all the locks changed. Check to see any windows or doors that were problem prone.
Make sure her gun was loaded and on her nightstand. Then go to the closet and get the box Olivia had given her containing all those nasty self-defense mechanisms. A few in her handbag and a few under pillow wouldn’t hurt at all.
* * *
SAM CUT THE CONNECTION AND
pulled off his telephone headset. He was definitely uneasy, but he felt a little better that Kendra was going to take action to make her security arrangements safer. When he’d discovered that Colby had been that close to her computer, it had been a shock.
He should have known that Kendra wouldn’t be stupid about taking unnecessary risks. Yet there had been a chance that she would weigh risk against the objective and decide on risk. In many ways, Kendra was the same wild child she’d been in those years just after gaining her sight. She was fearless and big-hearted, with gutsiness to match her amazing mental gifts. If she was still a tad on the reckless side, she embraced life in a way like few others he knew. He’d forgotten how exhilarating it was to be pulled along in her wake.
He walked across the cluttered living room of his one-story Mill Valley home. The house had cost everything he’d made from a recent corporate cybersecurity contract, but it offered him that rare combination of solitude and easy access to the San Francisco nightlife. Redwoods surrounded it in every direction, giving him the feeling of living in a tree house. A nice counterbalance to the piles of circuit boards, hard drives, and other gear filling up every available inch of shelf space. Much of the house was bathed in a CRT glow from a dozen monitors, giving him the status of his various projects.
Sam glanced out at the darkness. He had hoped to meet friends at a bar in the Mission District, but they always understood when he got absorbed in a fascinating project. And Kendra Michaels had brought him a spellbinder.
He looked at her laptop on his dining-room table. It was reassembled and ready to go. So why didn’t he just turn it on?
He knew why. Because that thing had been the eyes and ears of a monster.
Stop it, Sam told himself. The monster was on his turf now. Sam checked his network-monitoring system to make sure it was awake and ready to zero in on whoever might reach out to Kendra’s laptop once it was back online.
All systems ready.
He placed his finger over the power button and let it hover while he ran through his mental checklist one last time.
Enough stalling.
He pushed the button. Power on.
Kendra’s laptop booted up. In under a minute, the operating system loaded with the computer connected to the Internet.
He glanced over at his monitoring station. Definite online activity under way.
But it was no guarantee that Colby’s system was online and waiting to make contact. It could be hours or even days before—
“Hello, Sam.”
The gravelly whisper sliced from Kendra’s laptop speakers.
He froze.
“You can hear me. Good. I’ve been waiting for this. Waiting and anticipating.”
Sam slowly turned toward Kendra’s laptop.
Shit. He was being watched.
“Who is this?” He tried to project strength, but he knew his voice quavered.
“Sam, we’re beyond that. Why, I feel like we’re old friends.” The man spoke slowly, mockingly, still not above a whisper, yet Sam could detect a thread of menace.
“We’re not friends. I don’t know you.”
The man laughed, and Sam’s chest tightened. “Well, I know you.” Somehow, that laugh was terribly intimidating.
Stay strong. “I don’t think so.”
“Of course I do, Sam Zackoff. You’re Kendra’s white knight. One of many.”
Sam could feel the sweat break out. The computer was no longer a faceless tool to be used and conquered. It was the home of the monster.
And the monster knew who he was.
“You think you’re going to find me,” the man said.
Sam glanced back at his monitoring system. “Maybe I already have … Colby.”
“See, you do know me.” A chuckle. “And maybe I’ve already found
you
.”
Colby feeds on fear.
So don’t speak yet, don’t let him hear the fear.
“Beautiful home you have here in the trees. Ridiculously difficult to find at night, but not impossible.”
Oh, God.
“And so isolated, Sam. You can do anything out here, and the neighbors will never, ever know … By the way, I’m quite fond of your wraparound porch.”
Sam’s eyes flicked to the front door.
“Did you lock the door? Perhaps you’d better check. Go ahead, I’ll wait.”
“I don’t need to check.”
“Such confidence, Sam.”
“I designed the security system here myself.”
“The thing about security systems, Sam … Once they’ve been penetrated—and they all can be—they can be used to keep the good guys out. Do you know what it’s like to be screaming for your life, and knowing that your only salvation is on the other side of your very expensive security system?”
Sam didn’t reply.
“No? Perhaps you’ll soon know what that’s like.”
Sam wildly looked around for something he could use as a weapon. A lamp? Maybe the bottle of wine on the side table? Each possibility seemed more ridiculous than the last.
“No gun, Sam? That’s right, you rely on brains not violence. Hmm. I suppose you can use that cricket bat behind you…”
Sam slammed the laptop lid closed.
More laughter. Dammit, the computer was still powered on.
“Was that necessary, Sam? I was so enjoying the window on your world.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.”
“It’s quite all right. I’m good at carving my own windows.”
Sam backed away from the laptop and ejected the flash drive from his network-monitoring system. He stepped to another computer and swiped his finger across the track pad to wake it. He pressed the arrow keys to cycle through views from the four security cameras mounted outside his house.
All clear. Apparently.
Colby’s voice still emanated from the closed laptop. “Oh, and I must commend you on the hardwood floors in your hallway and bedroom. Such charm…”
Shit.
Sam scooped up Kendra’s laptop and moved toward the door. He was tempted to leave it and escape from that bastard. He couldn’t do it, he had promised Kendra and that would be more cowardly than he could allow himself. But on the way, he picked up his cricket bat.
“Are you running away, Sam…”
“Why are you
doing
this?” Sam was trying to keep the panic from rising in his voice.
“I want Kendra to know that our game isn’t finished. Far from it. But for her to take me seriously, someone has to die.”
“No, they don’t. She takes you seriously.”
“Not enough. She needs to get that message loud and clear. Who better to deliver it than her white knight?”
Sam drew a deep breath, threw open the front door, and bolted for his car. On the way he spun around several times, looking for any sign of Colby.
There was none.
He was almost to his car, unlocking it with his keychain remote as he drew near. He dove into the driver’s seat after a quick glance to make sure no one was lurking inside.
He locked the door behind him with shaking hands and started the engine.
“Leaving so soon?” Colby whispered from the laptop. “Remember to give Kendra my message, Sam. I’ll be very disappointed if you don’t. You don’t want to disappoint me…”
* * *
“STRANGE.” KENDRA TURNED TO BETH
after hanging up from Sam. “He didn’t sound … I’ve never heard Sam sound quite like that.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know.” She frowned. “But I don’t like it.”
“Did I hear he was coming over?”
“Yes, he drove down from San Francisco. He should be here any minute. He said he was nearby.”
“Then you can interrogate him and put your mind at rest.” Beth smiled. “And I, for one, do like the idea of his showing up here. I get to meet him at last.” She went to the counter and got a cup of coffee. “And thank him.”
“He’ll just blow you off. He said he enjoyed the idea of breaking into a secured mental institution.”
“I don’t care. I’m grateful, and he’s going to know it.” She took a sip of coffee. “Besides, he sounds interesting.”
“Oh, no doubt about that. He’s completely fascinating, and he makes your mind go as fast as his own. Which is also exhausting to anyone who’s not an Einstein or—” She broke off as the buzzer rang. “Sam?” She buzzed him in. “Come on up.” She turned back to Beth. “He
must
have been close.”
He was banging on the door only a minute later.
“I’ll get it.” Beth put down her cup and hurried toward the door. She threw it open. “You must be Sam. I’m Beth Avery, and I’ve been wanting to meet you for—”
“Hello. Where’s Kendra?” He brushed her aside and strode into the condo. “It’s crazy, Kendra. And you guys shouldn’t be answering the door without knowing who’s on the other side. You buzzed me in before I even identified myself.” He threw his computer and briefcase on a chair. “Do you want to have that nut murder you?”
“I’m glad to meet you, too,” Beth said sarcastically. “It’s rare indeed you find anyone who is as courteous as you, Sam Zackoff.”
“Easy, Beth.” Kendra was gazing at Sam. His hair was ruffled and his eyes red and strained. If she wasn’t mistaken, his hands were shaking a little. Not the Sam she knew. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to be rude. I think … there’s a problem.” She pushed him down on the couch. “Right, Sam?”
“You could say that.” He glanced at Beth. “God, you’re gorgeous. Could I have a cup of that coffee you’re cradling?”
“It might be arranged.” Beth moved toward the counter. “Black?”
“No, very strong with cream and sugar.”
“Which nullifies the very strong.”
“You drink it your way, I’ll drink it mine.” He closed his eyes. “I’m not up to arguing. I can feel all the sparks she’s throwing at me. Kendra, protect me from her.”
“Since when do you need protection? Though come to think of it, Beth can be fairly intimidating.”
“I knew it.” He opened his eyes and drew a deep breath. “Okay, I’m coming out of it. It feels very safe here.” His gaze met Kendra’s. “Though we both know that’s not true.”
“I had the locks changed two hours ago. It’s safer now than it was.” She tilted her head. “And what are you coming out of? And why are you so obsessed with my being safe?”
He made a face. “Actually, I’m obsessed with my own safety at the moment. Not that I’m not concerned about yours but I’m a little off balance, and that leads to an extreme degree of selfish self-preservation.”
“Why are you off balance?” Beth handed him his cup of coffee. “Selfish and rude, I noticed. But what’s the excuse again?”
“Ouch.” He took a sip of coffee. “I’m going to pay, aren’t I?”
“Probably not physically,” Beth said sweetly. “But we’ll see.”
Kendra’s gaze was on the computer Sam had thrown onto the chair. “Is that … mine?”
“No, it’s one of my computers I keep in the car. I left my primary computer at home. I was in a hurry.” He took a sip of coffee. “I brought your computer, but I left it locked in the trunk of my car. I didn’t want it close to me on the way down here. I’ll get it later. But maybe not bring it here to you.”
“Then why did you even bring it to San Diego?”
“Because I need to work on it. I haven’t—I know I promised you that I’d make it happen, but things aren’t going precisely the way I’d like.” He rubbed his eyes. “But I’ll get there, Kendra. Just give me a little time.”