by Anna Wells
“Do you know what caused it?” Trixie asked.
“As of right now, I have no idea. The fire department is investigating and apparently they’ll let me know.”
“What are you doing now? Do you have a place to stay?”
“I’m on my way to the mall to buy some clothes and other necessities of life and yes, I have a place to stay. It looks like I’m shacking up with Jordan.”
Trixie’s level of interest was almost palatable over the phone as she commented, “Interesting and how long will you be staying there?”
“I’m not sure,” Michaela admitted. Things with her and Jordan were moving full speed ahead and she was becoming increasingly comfortable with it. Jordan wanted her at his place and she wasn’t in any hurry to leave. She wanted to discuss what she had discovered about Jordan with Trixie, but she didn’t want to do it while Jordan’s driver could overhear her conversation. “Why don’t you come by Jordan’s after work today, I’d really like to talk to you.”
“I’ll be there. Can you give me Jordan’s address?”
Michaela gave her Jordan’s address in Charlestown and heard Trixie give a low whistle.
“That’s a nice neighborhood.”
“You don’t know the half of it Trixie. I’ll see you later this afternoon.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jordan sat at his desk going over some notes from a meeting he had earlier that morning. He looked up as his brother Trevor walked through his office door. His dark blond hair was mussed and he was wearing his usual uniform of jeans and a T-shirt sporting a Cincinnati Bengals logo. Trevor was a big Bengals fan, which perplexed everyone, and even Trevor couldn’t explain it. He had been fixated on the team since he was six and had never given up on them. It was a source of ongoing amusement to him and Ian. Because really, who but people from Cincinnati rooted for the Bengals?
“What’s up?” Jordan asked.
Trevor paced back and forth in front of Jordan’s desk. His agitation was visible as he ran a hand through his hair. Jordan waited patiently for him to settle down. Trevor finally threw himself into the chair facing his desk. “Jordan, you need to call Ian in here. We have a problem with Joyce.”
Jordan was instantly alert when he heard the issue concerned Joyce. Trevor was not one to over react. If he said there was a problem then there was some serious trouble. He picked up his phone and punched in Ian’s extension. “Ian, Trevor and I need to see you in my office now.” He hung up after Ian confirmed that he would be there immediately.
True to his word, a few minutes later Ian entered Jordan’s office dressed in a suit and tie. While he and his brothers shared very similar looks they all had a very different style of dress. Ian was always the consummate professional businessman while Trevor was rarely seen out of a pair of jeans. Jordan tended to lean more toward business casual. He was comfortable in a suit like Ian, but he only wore one when he was meeting with external clients or vendors.
Ian sat in the chair next to Trevor and crossed one leg over his knee before asking, “What’s the problem?”
Trevor turned around to ensure that Ian had shut the door behind them and that they had privacy. He leaned forward resting his arms on his jean clad thighs, placing his complete focus to his brothers and business partners and said, “Joyce isn’t after money, she’s trying to steal code.” His tone was cold and furious.
Jordan felt shock ripple through him and this new potential theat. He’d had no idea that she had any programming skills. They’d been under the misconception that Joyce’s goal was to steal money not trade secrets. Obviously they had underestimated her. His brown eyes were hard as he asked Trevor. “Are you sure?”
Trevor nodded without hesitation. “Oh yeah, I’m sure. She tried to hack in through a back door. I have a program set up to alert me.”
“Was she able to steal any code?” Ian asked, his concern evident. ECOM Works’ proprietary programming code ensured the security of their e-commerce transactions and protected the personal data of millions of people. The code was literally worth billions if someone got their hands on it. They would be able to steal people’s identities or steal ECOM Works’ proprietary business. If their code were stolen their business would be destroyed. There would be no recovery from such a loss.
Trevor shook his head. “No she didn’t get anything. She thought she went through a back door, but it was a fake one that I set up. She’s been downloading fake programming code for the last hour,” Trevor said with a slightly satisfied smirk, the pride in his work was apparent.
Jordan let out the breath he had unknowingly been holding. “You’ve just proved you’re the genius of the family once again Trevor.” Trevor was always one step ahead of the hackers. It was what had made their e-commerce business so successful. His baby brother thought like a hacker and was able to keep their systems secure because of it. Nevertheless the idea that someone was inside their system was unnerving.
Ian reached over and slapped him on the back. “Man, I love you,” Ian said. “Jor’s right you’re the genius of the family.”
Trevor held up his hand. “Stop you guys or my head’s going to start to swell.”
Jordan leaned back in his leather chair. “Now that we know what she’s after, what’s next?”
Ian inclined his head. “You tell us. This is your sting operation and your ex-girlfriend.”
Jordan didn’t like to think of Joyce as his ex-girlfriend, but he guessed that was true enough. After his breakup with Joyce, the FBI had approached him informing him that Joyce had a history of corporate espionage. However, FBI investigators had a hard time proving her involvement since she had always accessed the information by becoming personally involved with a high level executive in the company. Apparently this tactic had a couple advantages. Joyce was able to unearth her lover’s corporate secrets and then the duped lover was too embarrassed to turn her over to the police. Shortly after his breakup with Joyce, Special Agent Jay Gonzales had asked for his help in gathering evidence against her that would finally put her behind bars, which was why Jordan had given Joyce a job. She had come to him and given him a sob story about how she was out of a job and Noah had left her. She’d begged him for forgiveness and a chance to work for him. He had snapped up the opportunity she offered him giving her the job with the sole intent of helping the FBI to build a case against her. When he’d explained the situation to Ian and Trevor they were completely supportive of his plan. Joyce’s actions had been under surveillance since her first day at work, and apparently Trevor had been ready for her when she made her move.
It infuriated Jordan that she had been sleeping with him in order to steal from him, but on some level he must have sensed her duplicity since his attraction for her never escalated beyond lukewarm. Joyce had been polished and charming, always saying the right things, everything he’d thought he wanted in a woman, but it was Michaela’s authenticity that ultimately drew him away from her.
Forcing his thoughts to the present, Jordan returned his attention to his brothers. “I need to contact Agent Gonzales and update him,” Jordan informed them. “Trevor, I want you to gather any evidence you have that proves she was hacking into our systems.”
Trevor shifted in his seat still full of nervous energy. “No problem, I want to nail this woman.”
“I think it’s apparent that this is a lot bigger than we thought it was. I’m concerned the FBI was right and she is working for someone.” Jordan told his brothers.
Ian nodded in grim agreement. “That’s what I was thinking too. Do we try to find out who?”
Jordan tapped his pen on his desk while he contemplated Ian’s questions. “I’m not sure if it’s worth the risk. What if while we’re trying to set her up to reveal who she’s working for she gets away with Trevor’s code?”
“Not gonna happen, Jordan, she’s not good enough to get by me,” Trevor told him in a matter of fact manner.
Jordan inclined his head in acknowledgement. “Good to hear.
Okay so let’s get Agent Gonzales in here so we can decide together what’s out next step.”
Jordan called the FBI Agent and gave him the recent updates. Gonzales agreed to come to the office and meet with them immediately. They didn’t have to wait long, the reception called fifteen minutes later to let them know that Mr. Gonzales was on his way up.
Gonzales stepped into the office with an air of authority; his dark hair was cut short to match his conservative blue suit. Jordan thought he appeared to be in his mid-thirties, but he couldn’t say for sure. The Agent did a quick once over of his surroundings. There were floor to ceiling glass windows flanking two sides with a spectacular view of the city. “Nice, I’ve obviously picked the wrong profession. I’m lucky if I get a cubicle to myself,” Gonzales joked as he sat down in a chair facing the three men.
Jordan cleared his throat, not really in the mood for joking. “Agent Gonzales, I don’t believe you’ve met my brothers, Ian and Trevor. As I’m sure you already know we run ECOM Works together.”
“Yes, of course. So tell me gentlemen, what’s happened that you needed to see me immediately?” His voice was calm and intent.
Trevor was naturally the first one to speak. “I caught Joyce Landau hacking into our system and attempting to steal code.”
Gonzales nodded looking satisfied with Trevor’s response. “I expected this type of attack, did she get anything useful?”
“You could have let us know that’s what you were expecting.” Ian remarked, his tone derisive.
“I believe I informed your brother that she could be after money, trade secrets or personal information. She never seems to go after the same thing twice.”
“No, she didn’t get anything useful. I’d set up a decoy and she went for it. She’s been downloading fake code,” Trevor added.
Gonzales grinned at Trevor’s answer. “Trevor, we need to get you to work for us at the Bureau. I like your style,” he told him obviously impressed with Trevor’s subterfuge.
Trevor snorted and shook his head. “Not enough money and I don’t like your dress code.”
Gonzales laughed at Trevor’s response before saying, “I want you to know, gentleman, how much we appreciate your help on this matter. I told Jordan before that I want to get Joyce Landau behind bars. We think she’s working for someone and we want to find out who it is before we bring her in. Are you three willing to keep this going a while longer?”
The brothers looked at each other and nodded their silent agreement. Jordan spoke for them. “We’re in for the long haul. We think it’s worth it to stop the bastards who are doing this.”
“Good,” Gonzales said. “I think we need to up the surveillance now that we have something concrete. From the evidence I assume you’ve gathered concerning her hacking, I should be able to get a court order to add surveillance to her home.” He turned to Trevor. “Can you keep feeding her fake code?”
Trevor nodded smiling grimly. “No problem.”
“Keep her distracted so she thinks she’s getting what she needs. I’m hoping this will lead her to contact whoever’s really in charge. If that doesn’t work we’ll eventually arrest her with the evidence we have and try to convince her to turn them in.”
“Why not just try that now?” Ian asked.
Jordan was wondering the same thing as Ian. He didn’t like unnecessary risk and having Joyce accessing their computer systems made him uncomfortable.
“We’d probably have to offer her a deal to get her turn in her backers and I’d rather not do that.” Gonzales explained with a shrug. “Also there’s always the risk that she won’t betray them no matter how much pressure we apply. She’s been getting away with stealing and selling secrets for quite a while. She’s good at what she does and how she does it or she would’ve been caught by now.”
Ian turned to his brother and said sarcastically, “Great girlfriend you have there, Jor.”
Jordan gave him an irritated look. “She hasn’t been my girlfriend in a long time, but yeah you’re right she was a bad choice.”
“Ian’s right, next time why don’t you check your girlfriend’s resume and make sure that corporate espionage is not one of her skill sets.” Apparently Trevor couldn’t resist taking a jab at his brother.
“Oh little brother, haven’t you heard? Jordan has a new girlfriend. She was the fiancé of the man Joyce slept with,” Ian told Trevor obviously pleased to impart that bit of gossip.
“Why am I just finding this out?” Trevor asked looking slight perplexed. Wondering once again how he’d missed something so critical.
“Maybe because you always have your face buried in your computer screen,” Jordan told him dryly.
Gonzales rose from his chair. “Don’t feel bad about being sucked in by Joyce Landau. She’s a professional and you’re just one of many that was fooled by her act,” he told Jordan.
“I still feel like an idiot,” Jordan admitted to the agent.
“Don’t, she’s a pro and besides she hasn’t been able to steal anything from you. So you’re ahead of the curve so to speak. Well, as much as I would like to stay here and discuss your sex lives, I need to get that surveillance court order.” He paused before asking in almost an afterthought, “We also might want to put some undercover agents in your office too. Would that be okay?”
Jordan quickly looked at his brothers determining their consent. “Yeah, whatever you need to get the job done.” He rose from his chair reaching his hand across the desk to shake hands with Agent Gonzales.
Gonzales firmly clasped his hand. “Just a reminder to all of you, this operation is strictly confidential. You can’t discuss it with anyone, and that means wives, girlfriends or relatives.” The men nodded their heads in agreement, but Jordan was concerned about keeping this information from Michaela.
Ian and Trevor rose and both shook hands with Gonzales as he said, “I’ll be in touch. I’m going to need Trevor to supply me with the evidence of her attempted hacking. Also, who should I talk to about sending in an undercover agent?”
“I’ll deal with the agent,” Jordan told him as he followed him to the door.
Gonzales nodded. “Perfect, I’ll call you late this afternoon as soon as I found out who I’m sending in.”
After Gonzales left, Ian and Trevor once again seated themselves in front of Jordan’s desk.
Trevor brushed his unruly hair out of his eyes. “So who’s this new girlfriend of yours?” His curiosity was apparent now that he’d been alerted that he’d missed something major in his brother’s life.
Ian looked slightly confused at Trevor’s question. “Haven’t you met Michaela? He’s been with her constantly since he and Joyce broke up. Short, sexy with this great mass of curly brown hair and a smoking body.”
“No, I definitely would’ve remembered that,” Trevor said as he turned to Jordan with his brows slightly raised. “So when do I get to meet her?”
“Anytime you want, she’s living with me now,” Jordan informed them. He sat back waiting for the explosion that was bound to follow.
Ian looked more stunned that Trevor. “Didn’t you just sleep with her for the first time on Friday? Isn’t this a little rushed?”
“It’s not rushed,” Jordan insisted. “We’ve known each other for a year and as you’ve said yourself we’ve been together constantly for the last six months. Besides last night her house burned down so she was forced to move in with me.”
“Shit Jordan, are you kidding me?” Ian asked as Trevor sat back in his usual manner quietly absorbing the information.
“No, I wish I was. Last night when Michaela and I got back from dinner at her parents we pulled up to the curb and saw flames coming out of the window. The fire department managed to save the house but the inside was destroyed. They’re still investigating the cause. She lost all her things. The house was a rental but she still needs to replace her all of her belongings. As it stands now, all she has are the clothes on her back.”
“That’s
rough. Does she know who you really are yet?” Ian asked very much aware of how his brother had kept his Fortune 500 career hidden from her.
“Oh yeah,” he said dryly. “We went to her parents last night and I was introduced to her brother for the first time and he recognized me immediately. Everything blew up in my face and Michaela was really pissed, but I think what bothered her most was that everybody else knew.”
“What do you mean everyone else knew?” Ian asked.
“Well, her parents apparently had recognized me immediately when I met them months ago and they’d just assumed she knew who I was. Once that came out she was angry with me for lying to her and embarrassed that she was the only one in the dark.”
“I’m confused.” Trevor interrupted. “Are you telling me that she’s known you for a year and didn’t know you are the CEO of ECOM Works? Doesn’t she read the business page?”
Jordan and Ian answered simultaneously, “Apparently not.”
Trevor shook his head. “Unbelievable. Never thought you’d fall for an air head.”
“I didn’t fall for an air head,” Jordan defended Michaela, “she just isn’t that interested in the corporate world. Can you tell me who the Prime Minister of England is?”
Trevor thought for a minute and then smiled. “Tony Blair?”
Ian smirked. “It’s not, it’s Stephen Harper.”
“It’s David Cameron and who the hell is Stephen Harper?” Jordan asked to no one in particular.
“How should I know? Are you sure about David Cameron being Prime Minister?” Trevor asked.
“Yes, Michaela told me. She’s into politics not business,” Jordan said.
“Then who’s Stephen Harper?” Ian wondered aloud.
“We’ll have to ask Michaela,” Jordan said with shrug.
Trevor quickly pulled out his iPhone and did a quick search. “Hey, apparently he’s the Prime Minister of Canada.” He glanced at Ian sympathetically. “At least you got the Prime Minister part right. Okay, so we’ve established that Michaela’s smart and has a smoking body.”
