Page 136 of Brutal Kingdom

Tabitha speaks up. “You know, whatever it is, might not be here.”

“Are you here to help or put obstacles in our way?” Simon snaps.

“I’m here to help. I’m just saying, Mr. Hansen might’ve found something, but we might not have it. We have to be prepared for that and come up with a plan on how to get it, if that’s the case.”

Simon bit her head off and I don’t feel sorry for her, but she makes a good point. “Tabby’s right, and I’ve already considered that, too.”

Kassidy takes a seat next to Simon. “Something tells me you have a plan, if that’s the case.”

“I do. So first we go through the things we have here, and then if we don’t find it, I make a visit to the Hansen estate.”

Kassidy gets where I’m going with this. “You’re gonna pretend to think about his offer.”

“Bingo.”

Simon’s nodding in my peripheral. “Whatever he has is likely written down, but I’ll have something ready for you so I can hack his electronics, too.”

“So that’s what you’re learning at MIT. How to invade people’s privacy?” Tabitha mumbles.

“I learned that here. MIT just gave me access to resources to build NSA level equipment and decryption software without raising suspicions.”

“That is so…”

“Crazy.”

“Hot.”

“Scary.”

Kassidy, Tabitha and I say at the same time. I don’t miss the look Tabby throws Kassidy’s way when she says,hot.

“We’re not at the part of the plan where I need your spy skills just yet. So if the data analyst part of your brain can switch on, that’ll be great.”

“J, you should know by now that I’m an excellent multi-tasker with every facet of my body. I’ve been organizing the files I have, got three keyword searches going, found a cool recipe to try out for dinner tomorrow, and sent a super steamy triple x rated text to someone about wanting to bend them over the side of the Brooklyn bridge while I fuck them blindfolded. Them. Not me.”

“TMI, Smallville. TMI.”

He smiles at me, because I’ve referenced Logan’s crazy gag name for him. Man of Steele.

“He doesn’t know the meaning of over sharing and won’t until his dick falls off.” Tabitha scowls.

“Sounds like you’re mad, you won’t be the one riding it, Kitty. I’ll make an exception and let you watch me take it for a spin. I know for a fact, Cheryl won’t mind. You’re hot when you want to be. She might even let you tag in.”

He’s having fun antagonizing her. “Simon. You can torture Tabitha later. Please, focus.”

“Fine, J. Fine. Here.” He thrusts a folder at Tabitha. “You can start going through this.” Looking at me, he says, “You wanna grab what you have?”

I nod and head to my bedroom to retrieve the paperwork I have in the biometric safe. It’s a housewarming gift from Simon. He’s big on security measures. I guess because he knows how exposed people’s secrets truly are to someone like him.

* * *

“Jordanna. Hey, wait up.” Noel calls, jogging after me.

I stop walking, giving him a chance to catch up. “Hi.” I point to the covered canvas under his arm. “Heading to a studio?”

“Oh, no. Dropping this off at home. It was a donation to an exhibit that we’re just getting back.”

When we start walking again, he says, “So listen, I’ve been meaning to call you about that thing with my dad. I’m sorry if he made you feel uncomfortable. He means well, but sometimes his advice can come off a little too forceful.”

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