White-Hot Hack (Kate and Ian #2)(49)

“Almost seems like a taunt,” Charlie said. “Maybe a DDoS?” A Distributed Denial of Service attack involved sending an overabundance of traffic to a website until it crashed or went dark.

“Seems a little on the nose,” Tom said.

“Even if they are planning a DDoS, why now?” Pete asked. The carding ring had been his first opportunity to work with the task force, so he wasn’t aware of the history.

Ian leaned back in his chair. “Because Joshua was denied parole last summer.”

“You’re following his parole hearings?” Pete asked.

“When you send someone to prison, it makes sense to keep tabs on when they might get out, especially when they’ve made no secret of their hatred for you.”

“Doesn’t look like you have to worry about that anymore,” Charlie said. “Being dead has its perks.”

“We first became aware of the group’s activity last summer,” Phillip said. “Joshua has been a model prisoner, and everyone assumed parole would be granted. When that didn’t happen, they began to mobilize.”

“So we know they’re planning some sort of retaliation for the denial of parole, but what we don’t know is how they’re going to do it,” Tom said.

Phillip glanced at his watch and wrapped up the meeting. “We may not know their exact agenda, but hopefully Charlie will become privy to more of their plans. In the meantime, try to come up with ways they might carry this out so we can plan our defense accordingly. We’ll meet again on Friday.”



“How’d Kate like the French Hound?” Charlie asked. He seemed to be in no hurry to head back to his desk, probably because he’d been putting in more hours than all of them. Ian knew firsthand how brutal and exhausting that could be.

Ian zipped his laptop into its case. “How’d you know she went there?”

“She told me she was meeting a friend for dinner when she answered your phone the other day.”

“She said it was good.”

“I recommended the lobster risotto.”

“That’s what she ordered.” His unease over Kate being followed had not faded despite trying to convince himself it had been nothing but a fluke. He refused to succumb to paranoia and had forced himself to stick to the facts: a car had been behind Kate on her way home. It didn’t automatically mean someone was following her. But still, there was something—call it gut instinct—that prevented him from dismissing it entirely.

“Ian.”

Charlie’s raised voice shook him from his thoughts. “Sorry. Did you say something?”

“I said I need to get going.”

“Sure. See you later.” When Charlie had almost reached the door, Ian said, “Don’t forget to sleep, okay? And go easy on the whiskey.”

Charlie laughed and walked out.





CHAPTER TWENTY

Kate stood in the doorway watching as the rental car appeared at the top of the driveway. A few snowflakes swirled through the air, but the forecast only called for flurries. Just moments before, Ian had buzzed her parents and Chad and Kristin through the gate, and Kate rose on the balls of her feet, practically bouncing in her excitement. She was so happy to see them that she threw her arms around her parents the minute they stepped over the threshold.

Diane reached out and slid a lock of Kate’s hair through her fingers. “This is new.”

“I always wondered what my hair would look like a little lighter. It’s fun!”

Ian embraced Diane and held his hand out to Steve who shook it. Kate hugged Chad and Kristin and ushered everyone inside.

Chad and Ian shook hands. “I’ll put your car in the garage,” Ian said. “There’s room for one more.”

“Thanks,” Chad said. “The keys are in it.” He looked back and forth between Kate and Ian. “Were we supposed to change our hair? Because Mom didn’t say anything about that.”

“I felt like a change, and Ian’s a little overdue for a haircut, that’s all. He’s been really busy.”

Chad laughed and held up his hands. “I was just curious.”

“I’ve never pictured you as a blonde, but I love it,” Kristin said. “And somehow the length suits Ian. It fits his personality.”

“It was longer than that when I first met him. But enough about our hair. I’m so happy to see you. I bet you’re getting excited for the wedding. Is my mom driving you totally nuts?”

“It’s more the combination of your mom and mine that’s about to put me over the edge.” Kristin looked around. “This house is amazing. I’ll admit when Chad told me you and Ian had bought a horse farm, I didn’t actually believe him. But you really do have a barn and a stable. What are you going to do with them?”

“I have no idea. The only thing I know for sure is there won’t be any horses in them. Come with me. I’ll give you the grand tour.”



Kate had made an assortment of appetizers, and they spent the evening in the basement, eating and drinking and playing pool before turning in early. The next morning, Kate served breakfast.

“Did you make these?” Chad asked around a mouthful of cinnamon roll.

“I did.”

“They’re awesome.” He reached for another and also helped himself to more bacon. “When did you start cooking?”