Page 54 of Tempest

“Just doing my job,” Phoebe said quietly. “It was embarrassingly easy to figure out. That is, once I started looking at the patterns individually. That’s the key. Gather as much information as you can and let it tell you what you need to know. Whenever you go in with assumptions, it screws things up.”

Colin sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “The good news is that now we know where the security holes are in the company, and we can fix them.”

“There are not holes. There are gaping caverns,” Phoebe responded. “When you give me the go-ahead, I will redesign the whole system.”

Colin took her hand and a flashed her a big smile. “Go ahead. Take your time and do whatever you feel is necessary.”

“I second that,” Ivy responded. Under the table, she grabbed Ryan’s hand and squeezed. This was good news because it was going to give Colin the chance to show Phoebe what a great guy he was.

The front door opened and everyone at the table turned. Bea and Grams came in, each bearing a Tupperware container. It was genetically impossible for them to visit without bringing treats. Even if it was only Rice Krispies treats. “Hi, Mama. Hi, Grams,” Ivy said as she stood up and walked over to her family. “Why are you bringing us treats?”

Bea pressed a kiss to her daughter’s cheek and gave her arm a squeeze. “I haven’t seen you in a couple of days, so I had to make sure you all are doing okay. Also, Sadie Lee is talking about her dance with Ryan last night like it was a religious experience. I had to come see if we should take him for a penicillin shot.”

Grams dropped her container in the middle of the table, then stood in front of Phoebe. “Are you the super genius we’ve been hearing about?”

Phoebe stood and straightened her shirt. “I’m not a super genius.”

Grams opened her arms and smiled. “Yes, you are, honey. Come here and let me give you a hug. We’re so happy you’re here to help these kids straighten out the mess that Bill left them.”

“Nobody gives better hugs than Grams,” Ivy said.

Phoebe stepped forward and hugged Grams, and a small smile appeared on her face. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said quietly.

“Now we’re family, so you can call me Grams.” She pulled out a chair and plopped herself down. “Ivy, make some coffee. I brought you all peanut butter cookies.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ivy responded.

Bea followed her daughter into the kitchen and rested her hip against the counter. “Why in the world did you let Sadie within a foot of your man? I figure there had to be a reason, but for the life of me, I can’t figure it out.”

“I was three margaritas in when she came over to talk to me. That’s my only excuse.”

Bea shook her head and looked over at Ryan. “Do you have any bite marks on you?”

“No. But I’ve had medical exams that we’re less invasive. What that woman accomplished in the minute and half we danced is beyond me. I had to take an extra-long shower when we got home,” he said as he shuddered.

Ivy looked over at Phoebe and grimaced. “Sadie Lee loves a man in Wranglers, and sometimes her enthusiasm gets the best of her.”

“That is one way of putting it,” Grams added. “The woman is out of control.”

“A man in Wranglers is God’s way of thanking women for doing most of the hard work,” Ivy said as she pulled out cups.

Ryan snorted and kicked his feet out in front of him. “A man in Wranglers is a gift from God?”

“Absolutely, honey…if worn correctly.” Their eyes caught across the room and she winked. “You, sir, are an absolute gift.”

Grams slapped the table and laughed. “That’s my girl. We raised you right.”

Ivy laughed too as she filled a tray with cups, sugar, and cream. “Phoebe, I hope we’re not offending you.”

“Absolutely not. I love it.”

Grams looked over at Colin and winked. “You’d better hold tight to this one. We want to see her at Thanksgiving.”

“Grams, when you think you’re helping me, you really aren’t,” Colin said, as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Gotcha,” Grams said as she mimed zipping her mouth shut. “So, what are we talking about?”

“Problems at Bellows Energy,” Ivy replied. “Phoebe uncovered who’s responsible for a five-million-dollar embezzlement. We’re not sure about who sabotaged the wells, though.”

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