Page 90 of Under A Sicilian Sky
‘Aye. Apparently, she’s a bloody incredible hacker. She has links with the dark web and all sorts. She’s been in trouble a few times but always managed to flutter her eyelashes and get out of it. Archie said he was worried at one point that he wasn’t going to be able to trace her because her IPs were darting all over the place… but he did. He did it. She studied Data Science at MIT. She’s very intelligent and very dangerous by the sound of it.’
Ruby stared at the floor, shivers of shock vibrating through her body. ‘But…why? I don’t… I don’t understand. I hardly know her. Why would…’
Mitch sighed. ‘Honestly, I think you’d need to ask her that.’
‘Is she still with you?’
‘No, after you’d gone, I mentioned that there had been a breakthrough with your hacking, before I knew the details, and by the time I got back from Archie’s, she had packed up and left. Taken the hire car.’
‘You must be gutted,’ Ruby said snidely.
‘I am. Bloody gutted that I let that woman live under ma roof.’
‘Hindsight is a wonderful thing,’ Ruby replied. ‘Anyway, I need to go. I have to go and tell Valerie. She needs to know who she’s employed.’
‘Aye, well, Archie and I are going to take the evidence to the police. Finally, your name will be cleared. I’m… I’m so happy for you. You can get back to your career now.’ His voice cracked and it made her chest hurt. ‘You can get your star back on the rise.’
She chose not to mention her decision to quit the movie business. He didn’t deserve to know. ‘Thanks. And thanks for putting me up in your houses. I… In spite of everything, I do appreciate that.’
‘In spite of everything? What do you mean by that? Ruby, are you angry that we slept together? Because we were both involved in that decision. I never lied to you. I told you how I felt, and you accepted that. We’re adults for goodness’ sake.’
She scoffed. ‘My God, Mitch, I’m not going to sit here and spell it out for you. If you don’t get why I’m so pissed off… Look, I have to go. Thank you for all your help. Sincerely. Have a nice life. Bye.’ She hit the end call button and threw the phone on to the bed with a frustrated growl.
There was a knock at the room door. ‘Ruby? Is everything okay, ma chère?’ Philippe asked through the wooden barrier.
She jumped up and pulled open the door. ‘Shelby! Valerie’s bloody assistant, Shelby, is the one who hacked me!’
* * *
Philippe pulled the car into the underground car park beneath the building where Ruby’s agents were located. Her heart was pounding so hard at her chest, she half expected her ribs to be bruised.
‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Philippe asked as he stopped the car and turned off the engine.
She shook her head and gave a small smile. ‘No, thank you. This is something I need to do for myself. I won’t be long.’
He shook his head. ‘Cette fille stupide. A quoi pensait-elle? What was she thinking, Ruby? Mon dieu.’
Knowing his question was rhetorical, Ruby climbed out of the car and headed for the stairs to the elevator block. She breathed in and out slowly, trying to calm her temper. After all, Valerie didn’tknowinglyemploy a hacker as her assistant. That was just unfortunate, but she had her own mistakes to answer for.
Once she arrived on the tenth floor, Ruby exited the elevator and stood outside the office, trying again to compose herself. She opened the door and stomped through, each step more determined and assured. There was an empty desk where Shelby usually sat, so there was no barrier to her barging into Valerie’s office.
Valerie jumped and stood. ‘Ruby! You’re back. How lovely to—’
‘We discovered the hacker. I think you should know that you’ll need to hire a new assistant.’
Valerie scowled. ‘I’m sorry? What are you talking about?’
Ruby crossed her arms over her chest. ‘Shelby hacked my accounts and put a load of vile stuff on the internet pretending to be me. Not only that, but she hacked your emails and arranged an audition for herself that was meant for me by impersonating you too. Your assistant is responsible for ruining my career and could’ve ruined your business.’
Valerie shook her head and lowered herself back to her chair. ‘I see.’
Incensed, Ruby stepped forward. ‘I see? Is that all you have to say?’
Valerie suddenly looked small and frail. ‘I think you need to sit down, Ruby.’
‘Oh no, I’m fine standing, thank you. I just came to tell you that. And that the police are looking for her.’
Valerie covered her face with her hands. ‘No, no, no.’ It sounded like she was crying, and Ruby’s stomach knotted. She wasn’t a cruel person and seeing her agent react this way made her want to take the pain away.
