Page 55 of Cops and Robbers

He shoved the items back into her purse and handed it to her. “All clear.”

Caige took her arm again, and as he led her away, he whispered, “Nice distraction.”

“All part of the plan.” She smiled. A hall branched off to either side, but straight ahead lay the entryway embellished in cream roses, black dahlias, and fine greenery. The clean scents announced how fresh the flowers were. Walking through, the entrance opened to an enormous conference room with a stage at the front. People gathered on the bare wooden floor, mingling among themselves. Nerves spiked along her throat. I didn’t expect this many people.

“Can everyone hear me?” Clyde said over their Micron Ears.

“Roger.” Raz’s deep voice, so close to her ear as if he’d whispered, sent fire through her. Damn. How did he do that?

Each of the others said something in the order they had pre-selected.

“So, this is a hackers gala?” Caige said.

“I guess so,” she said, both of them giving their cues, letting everyone know they had heard them.

“Good. We will keep in touch,” Clyde said.

“Let’s get some champagne.” She squeezed Caige’s arm.

He offered a smile before steering her toward a bar. Near the stage, raised on a small platform, sat a desk with a sleek matte computer tower. A red valet rope blocked off the area. Kate breathed deeply. That computer was the target for the compact safely tucked in her clutch.

The two of them slid past the line to the table of champagne-filled flutes and grabbed one each.

“So how does this work?” Caige asked, curiosity lacing his voice as he leaned in.

“You see that computer setup?” She pointed toward the sleek tower and blank monitor.

Caige nodded.

“I remotely log Clyde in for the hacker portion, and everyone can see his computer on the large screen hovering over the stage. He and six other hackers will compete to see who can hack any system, government or corporate, the fastest. They won’t know what they are looking for specifically until just before the timer starts.”

“So, all the hackers stay at home, incognito, while a representative like yourself comes to the gala?”

“Precisely.”

“Elizabeth?” a German-accented male asked from behind her.

She steered Caige around. A tall man with rich brown hair and green eyes smiled. The ragged scar down his chin was more distinctive than the over-the-top diamond-lined tux covering his lean form.

“Ziegler.” She held out her hand to tonight’s host. “Nice to see you again.”

He took it with both of his, the warm rings on every finger pressing into her skin as he shook firmly. “I was surprised when you accepted my invitation.”

“Sixth time’s a charm, I suppose.”

“She’s so suave,” Sid said into her ear, momentarily distracting her. “Why can’t you be more like that?”

“Shut up,” Raz said.

Ziegler was smiling at Caige. “Hello, have we met before? You look familiar.” The two shook hands.

“I don’t believe so. The name’s Jack.”

If Jack had been in Matsuda’s circle, it would only make sense that Ziegler might have seen him on occasion. But only if Jack was higher up on the totem pole. She took a full swig of the dry champagne. The bubbles tickled the back of her throat and down to her empty stomach.

Ziegler gave her a pointed look. “Don’t waste yourself on booze as if you’ve already thrown in the towel.”

“It’s a victory drink. I’m sure your wallet can take it.”