Page 86 of Roots of the Wicked

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chase

It took Max ten days to track down a semblance of a lead on the person who had set me up. Each time he had made any headway on clearing my name, he would hit a roadblock that would take him two steps back.

The media had done just as Jax predicted they would. My popularity shot through the roof, and everyone that was anyone, wanted an exclusive interview for Jax’s official reveal.

Max was convinced that someone had the inside track on his every move. He explained to me how thorough the suspect had been, using continuous efforts to cover his tracks.

“Each time I come close to closing in on answers, I believe my efforts are being sabotaged,” he informed.

I believed Max. I believed whoever we faced, would do whatever it took not to get caught. My mind dredged up TK.

“So, you’re saying someone remotely accessed my laptop, but you can’t figure out who it was?”

Working around his own busy schedule to help me find answers, young Max seemed as obsessed with finding my hacker as I was.

“Whoever it was, used a public Internet café.”

My pacing ceased at his words.

“When I checked to see who used the computer at the café, I’m coming up with a person with the screen name, Surcum Sized. And he knew where to sit too. He wasn’t in any of the camera shots, not one.”

I hung desperately to every word.

“I couldn’t even pick up his reflection off a cup, glass, or window,” Max continued.

“Who in the hell is this guy?” I mumbled under my breath. Max had compiled some pretty complex background work that should have produced answers, but like he suspected, I was starting to believe his efforts were somehow being sabotaged.

He had recovered a portion of my workload, and thanks to my assistant, I had enough to immerse myself in work. I had lost millions, had lost some clients, but the fallout hadn’t been as substantial as I had anticipated. When I wasn’t stressing Max out, I worked.

Work kept me from thinking about Jax, somewhat. It saddened me that she had to hide now. I hadn’t seen her in the news, so she had found a way to stay unseen.

What I wouldn’t do just to have one of our debates, or phone chats. Our dinner dates would lead to some interesting revelation about her that I was always grateful to receive. I could even go for one of her snappy comebacks to some smart comment I would make.

“He hid well, like the digital invisible man. This virus however wasn’t fooled. The computer he used to remotely access yours, is being destroyed with the same virus that nearly destroyed your laptop. It’s like it’s on a search and destroy mission. It’s like the virus knows something is up with that computer. The virus targeted your laptop as the source, and I think I may be able to figure out how he did it.”

I paused, digesting what Max was telling me.

“So, you can’t identify this guy, but you have enough to prove that someone did, in fact, remotely access my laptop to send those files to the media?”

Max nodded. “Yes, I’ve discovered enough to prove you were set up. But, finding out who was behind it, will be difficult.”

The corners of my mouth moving up into a smile felt foreign. “Thank you, Max. I’m grateful for your time and dedication to proving I was set up. Please, do whatever it is you need to do to find out who it was. Whatever you need, please don’t hesitate to notify me.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Taylorson.” I had never heard his words expressed with the deep level of excitement his tone currently held.

“Max, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why did you agree to take on this job? You don’t need the money, or the headache for that matter.”

“Me and Travis are frat brothers. When he called, he gave me a few details about what he had seen on your computer. I love a challenge and what he had described intrigued me. And your right, I don’t need the money, which is why I won’t be charging you.”

I directed a hard glare at him. “I can’t let you do that. Why would you do that?”

“Because I respect you. In the world of business, and what you have accomplished in such a short time, you’re a good example to follow. I have never seen you act like a douche to people, and the few people that I know who have met you, said that you are a genuinely good person.”

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