Page 135 of Played
"There has to be something here," I say, desperation creeping in. "Something that proves what he did to Claudia."
Julian's jaw tightens. He turns back to the desk, yanking open drawers with renewed urgency.
And that's when it hits me.
"We need to get into that computer," I tell him. "He has all his security cameras stored on that computer," I say, my voice gaining strength as the pieces click into place. "The entire building's footage—hallways, entrances, everything. You can monitor it all from the comfort of this chair. He showed me once."
Julian studies me intently, curious.
"And I know just how."
He studies me still, wide-eyed.
"Let's get out of here, and I'll tell you how."
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
We're in the lobby now, and I'm trying to steady my breathing. Julian paces near the mailboxes, his jaw working like he's chewing through scenarios, calculating risks.
"I know someone," I explain. "Someone who can crack that computer."
He stops. "Who?"
"Raine," I say, the name coming out in a rush. "His name is Raine. He's the one who broke into Dylan's phone for me when I needed to get evidence. He's absolutely brilliant with all this tech stuff—like, scary good at it."
Julian's eyes narrow—calculating, not doubting. "Can we trust him?"
"He helped me before." I pull out my phone, already scrolling for his number. "And he wants to work for the CIA someday. Catching a psycho would look great on his resume."
I tap his contact info and hit the dial button before my racing thoughts can convince me this is a terrible idea and I lose whatever shred of nerve I've managed to scrape together.
Three rings. Four.
"Yo."
"Raine, it's Liza. I need you. Like, right now."
Silence stretches. Then: "What kind of right now?"
"Breaking-into-a-dead-man's-computer kind of right now."
He whistles low. "That's intense even for me, babe."
I'm irritated now, frustration bubbling up hot and sharp in my chest. He doesn't understand how crucial this is, how everything we need could be locked inside that computer. "Can you do it or not?"
"Give me an hour. Where?"
I rattle off the address, relief flooding through me. "How long will it take once you're here?"
"Depends on the security. Could be minutes, could be longer. I'll bring my kit."
"Thank you. Seriously."
"You owe me so many coffees." He hangs up.
Julian's watching me with something like admiration. "You're full of surprises."
"Yeah, well, desperate times." I glance toward the elevator. "We should go. Standing around here looks suspicious. The lobby cameras—"
