Page 22 of The Hacker
“Pretty much everyone except Ramón and Vicky. I was hoping you might narrow it down since you know most of the staff and most of the customers.” Dawn paused before she decided to say it. “I think the new guy, Chad, is involved somehow. He gets hired and we start having problems with the Wi-Fi almost at the same time.”
Natalie tapped her martini glass as she thought. “Why are you eliminating Ramón and Vicky?”
“Seriously?” Dawn nearly dropped her zucchini stick. “Because Ramón is a good guy and Vicky can barely type without breaking a nail.”
“Ramón was once a successful boxer. He has the capacity and will to hurt people.”
Dawn shook her head so hard her ponytail smacked her in the face. “Not anymore. He’s done with that life. No way he’s involved.”
“Also, don’t let Vicky’s big hair and highly decorated nails fool you,” Natalie said. “She’s a lot smarter than she appears.”
“I know. She’s the one who runs the gym’s finances. But she and Ramón are joined at the hip. If Vicky was up to something, Ramón would know.”
“And he would protect her because he worships her. Just keep that in mind.”
“No accounting for taste,” Dawn said to lighten the mood. “Do you really think they’re the ones doing this?”
“I’m just saying you shouldn’t rule them out. However, I’m with you on Chad. He’s another one who might be concealing his true self, in this case, behind that jock facade. I can’t get a good read on him.”
“What about Josh and Ripley? They’re heavy-duty gamers, so they’ve got the computer chops.”
They ran through everyone Dawn could think of at the gym and eliminated most of them, although they kept Josh and Ripley as long shots. Dawn jotted down the short list of possibilities on her phone’s notes app.
“Speaking of facades,” she said with a casualness she didn’t feel, “what do you think lies behind Leland’s?”
Natalie sat forward. “Now we’re getting to the crux of the matter.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean Leland is the reason you are so involved in this Wi-Fi thing. You’ve mentioned his name at least two dozen times tonight.”
“Because he’s the computer expert,” Dawn protested before she set down her beer bottle with a thunk. “Fine, I think he’s hot.”
“He’s not your usual type.” The innocuous phrase came with a concerned expression.
“He’s too smart for me.”
“You know I don’t believe that.”
Dawn had the good grace to be ashamed of her knee-jerk remark. “Sorry. It slipped out.” Natalie was always telling her to stop putting herself down about her lack of education. She pointed out that Dawn had a compelling reason for dropping out of college, one that had nothing to do with her intelligence.
“I’ve spent some time talking with him at Alice and Derek’s parties, and I can tell you that he’s not just a computer nerd, sweetie, despite the clothing,” Natalie said.
Dawn had watched him at those same parties. She’d been impressed with how he treated women with the same respect he treated men. That didn’t always happen with people like Leland. “If he’s not a computer nerd, what is he?”
“He’s a brilliant, driven man who’s at the top of his profession. He’s got money and power and influence that we can’t really comprehend. Those T-shirts, glasses, and jeans are meant to disarm you, to keep you from seeing the ruthless determination to succeed.”
“Don’t forget his southern drawl,” Dawn said with a reminiscent smile. “He admits to using it as a weapon.” It certainly disarmed her when he laid it on thick.
“I’m surprised he admitted that.” Natalie shook her head at Dawn. “He’s not going to let you be in control.”
Dawn thought of the play of muscles in Leland’s back and shoulders as he swam. She’d seen his raw power and still wanted him. No, sheneededhim, needed the way her desire for him overwhelmed her fear.
“Maybe I’m ready to push myself out of my comfort zone.”
“I’m not sure he’s the right person to test it with.” Natalie’s well-groomed eyebrows were drawn down into a frown of concern.
“He’s never been anything other than a perfect gentleman.” Except for the occasional flash of heat in his eyes, which made her nerve endings dance.
