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“Now look at what the virus shows an ordinary user.” Cassian grins and taps on the keyboard.
The screen flickers and the numbers all change. They’re all different now and look legit. No one would be able to tell anything was wrong.
Kieran slams a fist into the table. “Fuck.”
“I’ve concluded that the virus was introduced through Greece and is being controlled from New York. But every modified record touches your port in Morocco. Moretti has something set up there.”
“Then we need to go to Morocco,” I say, glancing at Kieran. “I also suggest we leave the virus exactly as it is. It may give us a trail to follow.”
“Agreed.” Kieran nods.
“I’ll go to Morocco,” Cassian offers. “I’ll take Yannick.”
“Tiernan and I will accompany you.” Lachlan nods.
“Sure.”
“We’ll see what we can do here.” I look at Kieran again. “Moretti must have a hacker overseeing the operation from this side.” It sounds to me like they have a Cassian.
“We can definitely look into that,” he agrees, cracking his knuckles.
I have no doubt Corrado knows this hacker. That’s probably how he gets his messages to Moretti. If that’s the case, I’ll find out.
Chapter
Seventeen
Allegra
Anushka and I walk toward my display table at the end of the hall.
She arrived at the charity office half an hour ago to help me set up for the craft fair. I wasn’t expecting her, so it was a nice surprise after a long day.
“I still can’t believe I got that bag,” she beams, and gives an excited hop. “I’ll be one of fifty people in this world to own one.”
She’s been talking about this bag of hers since she got here. She’s told me details I didn’t even know people pay attention to, like exactly where the leather was sourced, who crafted it, where it was made, its serial number, and how resistant the material is to scratches and water.
I glance at her and smile. “How much is that gonna cost you?”
She flicks her ponytail over her shoulder and clasps her hands. “Fifty thousand dollars. And that’s a discount.” She squeals. “My name will also be engraved inside. Oh, I’m so excited, Gabrielle. I think this one will have to be another early birthday present from my dad.”
“Didn’t you just have a birthday?” I chuckle, holding the basket of scented candles closer to my chest.
She gives me a sassy shrug. “This is for the next birthday. I believe in celebrating life.”
I laugh. She truly amuses me. “My dad would’ve killed me if I spent that much money on a bag.” And that whole birthday thing would never work for me.
“Gabrielle, it’s a Hermès Birkin. Fifty grand for a limited-edition bag is a bargain.” She nods with conviction. “Your dad would have to understand.”
I give her a small smile, deciding not to explain that Papa wouldn’t care who designed the bag. There’s no way I’d be getting it. Everything I’ve ever had in my life has been carefully selected for one reason or another. So, me getting a bag just because it was a limited edition or even because I liked it would be out of the question.
“I wouldn’t get away with it,” I tell her.
“Well, you’d be surprised by what I can get away with.” Her eyes brighten with mischief. “One time, I was vacationing with my family in Greece. I managed to sneak out of the villa after my parents went to bed. I bribed our guards and went to a yacht party. My friends and I toured the neighboring islands, ended up at another party, got arrested for skinny-dipping in the fountain with some male strippers, and got out of jail when the cops found out who I was. I was back by morning. To this day, my parents have no clue.”
Anushka laughs as I stare back at her mortified.
“That actually happened?”