Game of Fear (Montgomery Justice #3)(65)

She recognized these algorithms. She knew the back doors and the traps, even though these were a bit more intricate. Cybergeeks had their own signature. She had hers; the NSA security team had theirs.

P.O.E. was the means for the Warden and his cronies to break into the NSA computer system. God knew what else.

It had just become even more important than ever for Justin and Dave to escape. She just prayed they were both on track.

Hoping Niko didn’t notice, she leaned forward and peered down the row of gamers until she saw Justin.

He sat at his station, twisting and turning the game controller in his hands, playing the newest version of P.O.E.

Version VIII was a huge leap. Graphics, story, challenges. And now, Ashley knew, once a player reached Level 88, the downloaded bonus game would provide a way for black hats to root through national security systems. All on the skills of those who had a gift for numbers and encryption.

Justin had those gifts. She couldn’t take her eyes off the boy whose intelligence had seduced her and whose warm kisses made her feel special. She never wanted to forget those feelings.

He met her gaze, raised his fingers to his lips, and turned back to the monitor. A few minutes into his next mission, his joy dissolved into confusion, then flashed to fear as comprehension dawned.

Oh God. He’d recognized the truth behind the game. He dropped the controller to his lap and lowered his gaze.

He wasn’t quick enough.

The red-haired guard strolled over. “Congratulations, Mr. Connell. Come with me. We’re transferring you to the primary testing room to complete this mission.”

Just as they’d planned, except now she and Justin both knew the real stakes of the escape. Billions of dollars, so many lives. This was bigger than three sixteen-year-old kids.

God, Deb, what have I gotten myself into?

It was more important than ever that Dave get past Level 88, too. He and Justin needed to be in the same location or their plan might fail.

She squinted at Dave. His brow was furrowed; his entire body tensed and he looked panicked.

This was not good. Maybe she could set another time bomb so the grid to this room would blink off as well. It was risky, but Ashley doubted she could hide what she’d done more than a few hours anyway.

Floyd had warned her of as much.

“They check the security logs and keystrokes every night. Anything unusual, they’ll know it,” he’d said.

With shaking hands, Ashley brought up a window and dove into the security codes. Fear drove her as she slid past one wall after another. Her layers ran deep. The timing had to be perfect.

“Ashley.”

She jumped.

Not Niko. The sleazy voice of the red-haired man whispered in her ear. “This isn’t the section of code the Warden assigned to you. What are you doing?” His voice was low, menacing, and horrifyingly pleased to have caught her.

She swallowed. She hit a button and the window disappeared, but she knew it was too late. She closed her eyes. Had she just killed them all?

“This is the section that came up,” she protested. “I’ve had a few glitches on my computer today, but my assignment is nearly done. See?”

She pulled up the window she’d been working on as slowly as she could get away with.

The redheaded man turned off her monitor. “Go to the Warden’s office. He’ll deal with you.” The man smiled, his eyes much too eager. “Or, maybe I’ll be lucky and he’ll turn you over to me.”




The sheriff’s official car screamed into the Sammy’s parking lot and pulled up next to Garrison’s. Great, just what they needed. Gabe had dealt more with the sheriff in the last few days than in his entire tenure as a deputy.

He preferred the latter.

Sheriff Tower threw open the door and slammed it behind him. He hitched his hands in his back pockets and a sneer creased his face. “Well, isn’t this a nice cozy group? I have some questions for the bunch of you.”

John Garrison stepped in front of Anna, and Gabe did the same with Deb.

Deb elbowed Gabe. “I don’t need your protection,” she hissed under her breath.

Anna pinched John’s arm. “What she said.” She winked at Deb.

“Sheriff Tower,” Garrison said, by way of greeting, though his voice sounded cool. “What brings you here?”

The captain might be sleeping with Gabe’s mother, but the guy was stand-up. He didn’t back down from the sheriff. Gabe had to respect that. He’d just ignore that whole sleeping in the same bed idea.

“My town is going to hell and I want some answers, Captain.” Tower’s sharp gaze narrowed at Gabe. “Do you have any for me, Deputy?”

“No longer wear the badge, sir.” Gabe tapped his leg.

“So the captain told me.” Tower looked around at the destruction. “The ME’s office identified Ernie Rattori as the former owner of the hand left on your front porch. Fingerprint match.”

Gabe’s stomach sank. He’d suspected, but he’d hoped the hand wasn’t Ernie’s.

“What have you got to say about that, Wexler? Why did I get a call from the press wanting a confirmation of the story when my own detective didn’t see fit to inform me?”

“I’ve been working the explosion this morning, sir,” Neil said through clenched teeth.