Heart-Shaped Hack(73)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Back at her apartment, Kate kicked off her shoes and rubbed her temples.

For my eyes only.

The glasses had definitely been his way of helping her figure out who the messages were from. But the picture itself must have been his way of telling her to use caution regarding their communication. If Ian was contacting her via her dating account, did it mean he’d been hacked? Was this the only secure connection between them? She supposed he could have used the cell phone he’d given her if she hadn’t thrown it in the river.

She thought back to the days leading up to Ian’s death. The way his phone had pinged on the way to lunch. The problem he’d mentioned not being sure how to solve. She remembered how desperate he’d seemed when they’d made love and what he’d said afterward.

Don’t ever lose faith in me.

Maybe she’d misunderstood him. Maybe he’d been trying to prepare her for a future event. Kate began to question things. Why was the tracking turned off on his phone? Why had he taken the Shelby out when he knew the roads would be bad?

She logged on to her dating account and drafted her reply carefully: The glasses do make me feel very smart. I’m able to understand things so much better when I’m wearing them.

She waited thirty seconds and refreshed the screen. A new message appeared, its header bolded to signify it hadn’t been opened yet. Kate clicked on the message.

Smart and beautiful. Promise me you’ll wear the glasses on our date.

Kate’s heart was thumping when she replied.

You seem very nice, but I’m not interested in going on a date. I recently lost someone very important to me. He was the love of my life, and I’m still mourning him. I’m sorry.

She waited two minutes and refreshed the screen.

I completely understand that you’re not ready for another romantic entanglement, but maybe we could go to lunch. I happen to know of a restaurant that serves the best charcuterie in Minneapolis.

Mentioning the charcuterie was Ian’s way of assuring her it was really him. Tears ran down Kate’s face as she typed her reply.

I suppose lunch wouldn’t hurt.

He sent a reply immediately.

I predict you’ll be so taken with me you’ll be more than willing to move on to the next stage. I have that effect on women.

Kate typed her response: You seem very confident. If you’re so successful with women, why are you single?

I’m currently between lovers.

She wiped away tears.

I see. Kate wanted him to know that she understood.

I knew you would.

Kate knew he must have a plan but that it would need to be revealed carefully.

What would happen if things were to go well on our first few dates?

He replied immediately.

I was hoping you would ask. If things go well, maybe you’d consider a romantic weekend away. We could board a private plane on a Saturday afternoon and go someplace where we could be alone.

A Saturday afternoon.

Kate was fairly certain he meant for her to meet him at the airstrip this Saturday. As in, two days from now.

What if I’m afraid to take this step? I’ve been hurt very badly.

She refreshed the screen.

Please know that everything is under control. I would never harm you, Katie. Never. So I’ll see you on Saturday? Around two?

Yes. I’ll be ready.

Make a couple of stops on the way and take a cab.

His message threw her for a minute, but then she realized what he meant—shake whoever might be following you—and fear gripped her.

I understand.

She took a deep breath, and when she refreshed the screen, the messages were gone. That night, when she finally fell asleep after lying there for hours, all her dreams were of him.





CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

On Saturday, Kate pulled a large tote bag from the top shelf of her closet. She placed her wallet, keys, phone, a few toiletries, and a change of clothes inside it. Time seemed to drag, but at one thirty she walked to Wilde Roast Café—fighting the urge to look over her shoulder the whole way—and ordered a sandwich. She was trembling slightly and didn’t dare order anything containing caffeine to go along with her food. Fifteen minutes later, after forcing down as much of her meal as she could, Kate paid the check. She exited the restaurant and walked slowly down the street as if she had no particular place to be. After ducking into the tunnel that linked SE Main Street with the St. Anthony Falls parking ramp, she took out her phone and called a cab, waiting just inside the ramp’s exit onto Second Street until it pulled to a stop at the curb. Then she walked quickly to the waiting car and slid into the back seat.

“Where to?” the driver asked.

She gave him the address of the airstrip and tried to calm her breathing.

The plane was sitting on the tarmac when they pulled into the parking lot, the same one she’d seen Ian get into when she’d dropped him off. Still she hesitated. What if it wasn’t him?

“This is your stop, miss,” the driver said.

“I know. Give me a minute please.” With shaking hands, Kate dug her phone out of her bag and sent a message via the dating site.

I’m not sure if I should meet you today. What if it’s a mistake to go out with you?

Her stomach was in knots, and she thought the sandwich might have been a bad idea.