Page 30 of Death Wish

“Thanks, Simone. I really appreciate the help.”

“No problem.” She rolled back to her station and clicked on the email Joy sent her. She pulled up the first program and read through multiple lines of code, searching for a problem.

Simone found the first mistake halfway through the program, fixed it, then continued on through the rest of the lines of code. Finding no more issues, she downloaded the program and ran it. Perfect.

She sent that program back to Joy, then started working through the second program. Multiple problems with the code slowed her down, but she untangled the codes, ran the program to be sure her corrections worked, then saved it and sent the program back to Joy.

Her friend whooped with happiness. “Yes! You’re a miracle worker, Simone.”

“Not even close. You overlooked the issues because you’ve been staring at them for a good while. I was a pair of fresh eyes.”

“Ha. Don’t lie. You’re incredible. I say we clock out, eat great food, and have some fun.”

“I’ll text Jesse to let him know we’re coming down.” Simone clocked out, sent the text, and stood.

Hopefully, she wouldn’t have the same problem with bugs tomorrow. Not holding her breath, though. Simone had deliberately made a splash today, hoping to draw attention. With that attention would come more measures to spy on her.

She smiled. Let them. She had an ace in the hole. One drop-dead gorgeous medic who was well versed in security protocol. He wouldn’t let anything slip past him or her.

Simone stood and circled the cubicle wall to see Joy logging off her computer and grabbing her purse. “Ready?”

“Yes.” She grinned “I can’t believe it. I finished everything today with your help. I can’t thank you enough, Simone.”

“Glad to help. Come on. I’m starving, and we deserve a reward for all the hard work.”

They rode the elevator to the first floor where Jesse met them at the bank of elevators. He gathered Simone into his arms and kissed her lightly. “How was your day, baby?”

“Busy.”

“Better than yesterday, then.”

“Much better. Joy and I are starving.”

“I made reservations at La Hacienda. Our table will be ready by the time we arrive.”

Twenty minutes later, Jesse gave his name at the reservation desk, and the hostess led them to a table at the back of the restaurant and in the corner. Typical of Jesse and his teammates. Wouldn’t surprise Simone if Artemis had the same tendency.

Already knowing where Jesse would sit, she took a seat next to the one he’d choose and motioned for Joy to sit in the chair beside hers. “What’s good here, Joy?”

“Everything.”

“Well, I could order one of everything on the menu but I doubt we’d be able to eat it all. What’s your favorite food here?”

“Can’t beat their quesadillas and burritos.”

“Sold.” Simone scanned those sections of the menu and selected one of each. If she couldn’t finish them, she’d ask for a box to take the leftovers to the house. Might be breakfast or a middle of the night snack.

When the server arrived to take their orders, Jesse chose the same items plus a large order of nachos for the three of them to share.

Their food was delivered fast, and the meal was as excellent as Joy said it would be. “You were right, Joy.” Simone sat back in her chair. “I don’t think I’ve tasted better food anywhere.”

“High compliments from a native of California.”

She shrugged. “We have a lot of Tex-Mex food but this is authentic. Where are you from?” Simone waited to see if her friend would tell her the truth.

“San Francisco.”

“What brought you here?” Jesse asked.

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