I began dressing, feeling more relaxed than I had in days. Glad nobody around here knew what my net worth was. Hell, I wasn’t even sure. I’d gotten a little fuzzy after the fifth million. And that had been before my last adventure in Belize. Of course, most of it wasn’t what I could claim for taxes. I smiled at the experience of having a woman seduce me, and then make sure I knew it was only a one-night stand. Reversal of roles.
* * *
Before going to supper, I read through Dave’s first chapter so we could discuss it as we ate. What a great writing style. This guy was a natural storyteller. I headed out the door, mind busy with plans.
“…So I think you definitely have a good beginning here. What I’d suggest next is to get me an outline of the entire story.” I paused long enough to take a couple bites of the baked chicken. So far, the chow had been surprisingly good.
For the first time since I’d met him, a faint smile formed when I heaped on the praise. “Thanks, Francis. Appreciate the feedback. I’ll have your outline in a couple days.”
“I think it’ll be easy to get this published, if the rest of your writing is like this. You should think about doing a few more novels. You’re a natural.”
“Only if you were my agent. Or even better, my publisher.” He bent to his own plate while I thought over what he’d just said. Hm. Sounded interesting. Hadn’t thought about peddling his work as an agent. Or publishing, which sounded even more fascinating. Have to do some research on that.
The evening’s get-together was more raucous than usual, since fifty additional attendees had shown up for the second half of the writing conference–the portion that was conducted by instructors. It also helped that the rest of the wine and beer I’d furnished for the party that didn’t happen last night was finally being consumed. I was relaxing in a rocker on one of the balcony porches, enjoying the scene of almost one hundred adults having a good time below me.
Dave had been snagged by Mom for the latest dance. When the mature set, the ladies in their late fifties and over, had found out he was an excellent ballroom dancer, his dance card had suddenly filled. Luella’s raucous laugh echoed from inside the canteen, sending a mild shudder through my body. Not sure how her hubby survived, since he was usually next to her when she let loose one of those brays.
I moved off the porch and strolled into the parking lot, now filled with vehicles. Time to give Charlie the call I’d promised him.
As usual he answered on the first ring. “That you, Francis?”
“Yep. Any word yet on the Belize thing?”
“You bet. It went down just like we thought it would, six hours ago.”
I alerted on the lack of enthusiasm in his voice. “So what’s the problem?”
“Just as the money was being transferred into our accounts, the system was pinged. Wilbur’s looking into what that actually means to us right now. Oh–hold on, he has something to tell you. I’ll put us on speaker so y’can hear both of us.”
Wilbur’s voice came on the line. “Hey, Francis. Like Charlie said, we was pinged. Some of our data got scanned before my computer defenses kicked in. Luckily, the money’s okay. At least for now.”
“How about your location? Did they get that?” I strode towards my room, mind kicking into overdrive.
“Don’t think so. But I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Maybe we’d better move that money to a safer location,” I said, feet picking up speed.
Charlie’s voice came on the line. “Good idea, Francis. What’cha got in mind?”
I entered my room, and headed for the desk. “I’ve got a rainy day account Alice set up for me in an offshore bank a couple years ago. Get with her and have all the money moved there, except for a couple hundred thousand into the account she has access to. Also, have her get you some cash and then move to another location. At least for the foreseeable future. That sound okay?”
“Sounds good,” Charlie said. “I’m sure we’re okay, the firewall probably stopped the attack. Just in case, though, we’ll use another computer when we contact Alice. Won’t use the one that was pinged until we dig deeper into what happened.”
“I think we’re okay, though,” Wilbur said. “I haven’t found any sign of an incursion beyond the fire wall. Once we get the funds moved to your private account, we’ll blow this joint.”
I paused in setting up my computer. “Make sure and get the money transferred tonight, and yourselves out of there no later than tomorrow morning. You’re probably right about being safe, but don’t take any chances, y’hear me?”
“Yes, Daddy,” Charlie said with a snicker. “We’ll see you later, man.”
I disconnected, uneasiness trying to creep in. Was it time to head for home? I shrugged it off. Wait and see what Charlie and Wilbur came up with. Once they moved, they’d be okay. And right now, I was in the safest place I could be, hidden away in a North Carolina forest. One last connection and I turned on my computer. Now to alert everyone at T&M.
INTERLUDE
“How can it be gone?” asked William “Willie” Franks, holding his anger and fear in check with an effort.
His number two man, Lance Cromarty, sat up straighter. “Uh–Not sure, Mister Franks. That computer nerd you got taking care of the books just told me…”
Willie ran fingers through thinning hair, taking a deep breath to settle himself. “We had this conversation before, Lance. That ‘nerd’ as you call him is my cousin, and his name is Dennis. Now get him in here to explain what you told me.”
Willie shook
