Page 49 of Death Wish

“You realize that you and Zane could recreate this virus in a matter of hours, right?”

She glared at the medic. “Of course. Well, probably. The virus has to be pretty sophisticated to get through antiviral software which takes some work. My concern is for Fortress’s systems. If this virus slips into our system, we’ll be compromised in less than a minute. We’d lose everything to an enemy combatant or a competitor and compromise the identities and locations of every operative employed by Brent.”

Jesse whistled softly. “Wow.”

“Exactly. We can’t afford to slip up with this virus. It could wipe out every piece of information we’ve gathered since the company started. If word of the breach leaks, no one will trust Fortress to guard a loved one or VIP much less pay us for cybersecurity when we can’t protect our own systems from outside intrusion.”

A knock sounded on the back door and Jesse admitted Iona and Tegan. “How are you holding up?”

Tegan gave a faint smile. “If I sit for over ten minutes, I’ll be napping.”

“That boring out there, huh?”

“Not even a cat walked by to ease the boredom.”

“I’m glad.”

“Yeah, we are, too.” Iona nudged her teammate. “Aren’t we?”

“Boring is good,” Tegan agreed. “Just need a little more excitement to push back the fatigue. Either that, or we need a source of coffee.”

Simone eyed her. “Make coffee in here.”

“She’s right.” Jesse poured coffee into four mugs. “Use our kitchen. I know how it is on long night watches.”

“If you’re sure you don’t mind, we’d appreciate the caffeine,” Tegan said.

“We’ll leave coffee supplies out for you.”

Iona breathed deep. “You’re going to spoil us, Simone. French toast with maple syrup? Reminds of me home during the winter months with snow on the ground. Mom always made French toast on snow days.”

“Sounds like wonderful memories.” Simone added two slices of toast to the growing pile and dunked more bread into the egg mixture. By the time she finished the French toast, Iona, Tegan, and Jesse had set the table and added a bowl of cut fruit as well.

She set the platter of French toast on the table. Minutes later, the platter and the fruit bowl were empty.

“You’re nominated as my favorite chef,” Tegan said, sitting back in her chair. “Jesse, remember what we told you early this morning?”

“Yeah.”

“Goes double now.”

He saluted her, mouth curving upward in a smile.

“What’s on the agenda for the day?” Iona asked.

“More of the same.” Jesse pushed back from the table and gathered plates and bowls. “Simone is blowing through assignments, hoping to get noticed by the special projects group. If that doesn’t work, we’ll have to plan some B & E at the homes of the group members. I’d rather not resort to drastic measures.”

Simone didn’t like that option either but the likelihood was looking more likely by the day. Her plan to get noticed was moving too slow. Every hour that passed, the programmer came closer to achieving his goal. “I’m afraid it will come down to that, Jesse.”

“Maybe not.”

“It’s the most likely scenario.”

“You need to see what kind of setup they have in the special projects division. The easiest way is for you to be invited to the fifth floor for an interview.”

“Agreed. I’m doing all I can to gain attention with my work. I don’t know what else to do without being obvious.”

“Maybe something will happen today,” Tegan said. “Jesse said you were blowing through assignments. They’ll notice that kind of work ethic.”

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