To Trick a Hacker: Women of Purgatory 3

by India Kells

  “Sounds great! And prepare my usual to go.”

  Smiling, Dee sat an instant before her. “You’re a saint, you know that? That awful man isn’t worth all the money you’re putting on him.”

  Dylan shook her head at Dee’s rant. It was a habit that dated back to when she was a cop. A homeless man or woman stumbled onto her path, and she couldn’t help but buy a double lunch and give it to the poor soul. When she arrived in this neighborhood, she met someone she nicknamed Bear, as the old man with the scraggily gray beard and piercing pale eyes never wanted to reveal his real name. Surly, Bear never accepted anything from her until she brought him one of Dee’s famous beef sandwiches. From that moment on, each time she came to Dee’s, she made a detour to Bear’s dark alley with a sandwich and coffee as a peace offering before returning home.

  “I don’t know why you whine, Dee. I buy your most expensive sandwich and I’m the one making the delivery.”

  Dee pursed her lips, her pale doll face frowning. “I tried to help him, too, and he yelled at me as if I was about to kill him. I don’t know why you keep trying to feed him.”

  “He’s a homeless man, Dee. Probably with a tear-jerking story behind his thick beard and gloomy eyes. If I can give him a warm meal and a hot coffee, it’s worth the effort and insults.”

  “As I said, you’re a saint. But you won’t find your soulmate in a dark alley, darling.”

  Dylan rolled her eyes at Dee’s mission for her. When she let it slip that she had been alone for a long time, and worse, that her fiancé had left her, Dee had been determined to find another man for her. If her poor friend knew the truth, she may be less enthusiastic at finding her someone. Anyone for the matter.

  Leaning forward, Dee lowered her voice to a conspiratorial tone. “And tonight, my dear Dylan, you’re in luck. You know the man I told you about last week, the one who came and left just before you arrived? He’s here tonight, still sitting at the counter.”

  Dylan had seen three men at the counter. Two were construction workers she had recognized, two old friends sitting side by side, and one was alone, slightly hunched over his coffee. How didn’t she notice him? What she saw was a large frame clad in a dark-brown leather coat, and a wealth of dark blond hair in dire need of a cut. He looked fit, the leather stretching over his shoulders and back, hinting of muscle. The hair at the back of her neck rose a little, and she fought to bring her heartbeat down. She was probably overreacting, but after Beatrice’s phone call, her brain was still in overdrive.

  “I don’t need a man, and even less a matchmaker, Adelia Jenkins! And I’m starving here so I’ll take your special.”

  Her brown-haired friend shook her head. “One day, Dylan, you will wake up old and alone. And I dread to see that day.”

  Dylan was happy Dee headed back to the counter, that way, she wouldn’t see the regret in her eyes. Life had decided otherwise for her. Choices and tragedy had opened a single path. Only one. And she was resigned to being content with it. She could admire a man, even desire one, but she could never have one, ever again. Her past made sure to cut that possibility, forever.

  Her gaze traveled to the man alone at the counter, wondering what he looked like. Involuntarily, Dee had made her curious. Shaking her head, Dylan took another sip of latte and forced her mind back on her screen.

  As usual, her mind focused solely at the task at hand. She was still waiting for Beatrice’s logs, so she sorted her different email accounts, checking requests, upgrading her own systems. Vaguely, she sensed Dee coming and putting food beside her, but she waited to finish a few tasks before finally listening to her grumbling stomach. Pushing her laptop aside, she took a spoonful of broccoli cream. She was grateful for Dee’s delicious cooking. About to take a bite at her sandwich, she noticed movement from the corner of her eyes. Instinctively, her hand went to hip, where her sidearm used to be. She tensed and forced herself to conceal her reaction by coughing as someone came closer. Her hip shifted slightly, as she felt her tactical baton, readily on hand, if she ever needed it.

  “I’ve never seen someone so focused on a computer screen. Your soup must be cold by now.”

  Dylan looked up, readying herself for an attack, when she recognized the leather coat. The man towering over her would definitely be considered a threat, if not for his relaxed posture. He was tall, and the muscled body she had guessed was now confirmed, but what made her heart skip a beat was the smile behind the thick golden beard and twinkling blue eyes. The golden strands were long enough to let her wonder how they would feel under her fingers. Handsome couldn’t correctly describe him. He also had an aura of danger she recognized from years of walking the beat. But he hid it so well, like a seasoned operative. Remaining on her guard, she didn’t feel him about to attack, so it was a wait and see.

  She smiled at the man, knowing that appearing sweet may help her gain more information. “It’s still warm, but I’m not difficult. And Dee’s food would be delicious cold or hot. She’s that good a cook.”

  The man smiled even more, hinting white teeth, and extended his hand. “I’m Owen, or as Adelia, here, had told me, your future husband. And you’re Dylan, my future wife?”

  Dylan couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, she just told me you existed, too. But don’t worry, I won’t expect you to fall to your knees.”

  As she didn’t accept his hand, he put it back in his pocket. “Good for me as I forgot the ring in my other coat. Would you care for some company?”

  Dylan was about to refuse when she noticed Dee making frantic signs, clearly wanting her to accept his request. Knowing she would hear about it for weeks, she forced herself to smile at the man and invited him to sit down.

  The blond man folded himself before her, and it took only a minute for Dee to appear with another coffee of cup for him, discreetly winking at her. “Do you want more coffee, Dylan?”

  Dylan smiled sweetly, but swore to set her friend straight as soon as she they were alone. “No thanks, I think I’ve already had enough.”

  “No problem. Do you want something else to eat, Owen?”

  The man turned to her and shook his head. “No thanks, Adelia.”

  “Call if you need anything.” Dee sauntered away, leaving them alone.

  “I’m sorry about that, Owen. Dee can be hard-headed, and she’s determined to play matchmaker. Unfortunately, you caught her eye.”

  Owen took the cup, and that’s when Dylan noticed the small scars on the back of his hands and fingers. Callouses too. “She’s a sweet girl, and she means no harm.”

  “You come here often?” Stupid question, but one that opened up any conversation.

  He nodded. “I arrived here a week ago, working a contract. I was lucky to find this place, the only one open this late.”

  Dylan observed his face even more, noting the lightly tanned skin and smile lines around his eyes. His blue irises bore into her in return, probably noting every detail about her face. She never considered herself vain, but even without the damage hidden beneath her clothes, what was visible of her skin wasn’t particularly outstanding. Her dark muddy-brown hair twisted into long tendrils, making her look like Medusa if she didn’t harness them into a ponytail. Her only beautiful asset, in her opinion, were her eyes—chocolate brown, dotted with flickers of gold. Mentally shaking herself, she focused on Owen.

  “You’re in Boston for working? What kind of work do you do?”

  If he was annoyed by her question, he didn’t let it appear, except for a slight tightening of his fingers around his mug.

  “I work for a security firm. Specialized in protecting people.”

  “A bodyguard.”

  “More or less. I started as a bodyguard at first and worked my way up. Now, I do planning, and preparation. And you? Let me guess, you’re a blogger or Web designer?”

  Wise of him if he wanted her to stay at ease. Keeping it light, non-inquisitive.

  “I see you have a keen power of observation. One girl, one computer,
and there is your conclusion. I’m impressed.”

  His laughter boomed and she took a bite at her sandwich to prevent her from following him.

  “Sorry about that, my brain never stops to make connections. I constantly analyze my surroundings and the people in it. Call that my professional kink. Sorry, Dylan.”

  She shook her head. “Don’t worry, I suppose it’s something coming from your bodyguard days. So, you’re not protecting people anymore, but you’re preparing your team for it. That’s interesting. Who’s your client? A famous rock star or a boring politician?"

  Leaning forward, he winked at her. “I can’t tell you, all I know is that he has a strange name.”

  “Ooohh … interesting. So, that man must be famous. Gimme more, please.”

  Again, Owen gave her a devastating smile. The man was a beautiful danger, reminding her of what she craved, of how they could be together.

  “All I can say is that my client asked me to find someone, because even he doesn’t know where this person is.” Again, he leaned forward, a conspiratorial expression on his face. “I can give you a code name. His name is Dogberry.”

  Dylan forced herself to breathe normally. In and out, in and out, and to keep her smiling and flirting face firmly in place.

  “Quite an unusually name indeed.”

  Owen leaned back again, thinking. “Doesn’t it? Sounds like some sort of fruit. Anyway, I’ve been asked to stay in the area. Oh, and maybe that’s the reason why I looked at you, is that he’s supposed to be some sort of computer wiz.”

  “Well, you have a very interesting job ahead of you. But as I’m no male, you can certainly scratch me off your list.”

  His blue eyes turned heated. “I thank the heavens that you’re not male, Dylan, or my client. But I’m far from scratching you off my list.”

  Was he testing her? Was this a trick, a setup? Could he be ignorant of her true identity, was he being careless at providing her so freely with that information or did he expect her to come forward or give any hint that she was the person he was looking for? And among all those questions, the most important of all: was he the enemy who attacked Purgatory’s security system looking for her, or had Beatrice bypassed her request to be left alone and sent that man for her protection? She needed to find out more about him. As she was debating her next move, she started to feel a familiar tingle in her fingers and legs and took a deep breath to get her mounting stress under control. Being distracted by uncontrolled anxiety was the last thing she needed at the moment.

  Dylan saw Dee coming to remove her plates and offer more coffee, but she declined with a smile. “Dee, get my order ready, I’ll be out soon.”

  If the little brunette wasn’t happy with her cutting her setup date short, it didn’t show, although it was certain she would have an earful the next time she sat her ass on this bench.

  “I hope you don’t leave because of me.”

  Owen gulped the last of his coffee, and just before shutting down her computer, she swiftly took a picture of him. There were a couple of face recognition software programs she wanted his handsome features to go through. The beard may pose a problem, but she could work around that.

  Packing up her laptop, she smiled at him. “Absolutely not, but work calls. And I have a delivery to make before going home.”

  “Delivery?”

  As if on cue, Dee came with a bag and a cup of black coffee. “Oh, Owen, if you’re free, you could accompany Dylan with her delivery. It’s not far away, but it’s dark now and it’s not in a safe place.”

  Dylan grounded her teeth at the café owner’s scheming. “Dee, it’s not unsafe, you’re dramatizing.” She should have predicted it wouldn’t be that easy to be let off the hook. It was payback time.

  “But you would be alone! I know you won’t take any risk, but I would rather you be safe. I have a bad vibe about it. Please.”

  Owen turned to Dylan. “I have a little time before that meeting with my client, it would be my pleasure accompanying you.”

  Inwardly cringing, Dylan smiled. She was trapped, but maybe being alone with the man would confirm her suspicions. And if they were, the alley where she was going might be dark enough to escape. If luck was on her side.

  Chapter 3

  Dylan was still debating whether she should or shouldn’t ditch the man beside her as she walked down the street. As the name Dogberry crossed his lips, it took all her experience and training not to react. What Beatrice had told her about the attack on Purgatory could be related to this, to him. Curiosity and fierce protectiveness toward Purgatory made her choose the second option.

  Owen stayed silent by her side, his hands in his pockets, and the black cap low on his head, making his blond hair curl softly around his face. He looked gruff and asocial, as if he was sporting a sign telling everyone within walking distance to back off. What a difference with the smile he offered her earlier. It completely changed the way he appeared, the energy he gave off. Another tiny detail that made her brain tick. Something about Owen didn’t compute. She didn’t trust him, and definitely got his vibe of danger. Well, not a danger directed to her, anyway. Because she would have had to be a complete rookie to believe this man wasn’t a weapon. The more he moved, the more she knew he was much more than a simple security guy, or if he was, that’s not the job he started with.

  “So, that man to whom you’re bringing lunch, who is he?”

  She turned her face to him. “His name is Bear. He’s a homeless man living in an alley close by.”

  Owen waited for her to continue and she shrugged.

  “Well, I saw him one night, when going to the grocery store. He was dozing and looking worn out, maybe hungry. When I came back, I offered a sandwich that I had bought for him. He wasn’t really grateful and told me to get lost in a very colorful language. I don’t know how he did it but he got to me. So, each night I went out, I grabbed something different. Each time, he rejected my offer.”

  Dylan smiled at the thought, lifting the collar of her jacket against the nipping cold of the evening.

  “Then, one night, I discussed with Dee and she told me that she would make a sandwich even Bear wouldn’t be able to turn down. I’m not sure of the ingredients but it’s loaded with beef and costs me a fortune. But Dee was right. Since that night, he hasn’t told me to get lost. Not friendly yet, but he tolerates my presence, for a few minutes at least.”

  Owen smiled. “You have accomplished a miracle.”

  “Miracle or not, at least the man has a decent meal in him every occasionally.”

  Dylan had a soft spot for outcasts, and part of her couldn’t let another human suffer, even by choice.

  They both turned into the alley Bear called his own. The smell was what caught her first, pungent and rotting, but she pushed the assault aside and concentrated on finding the man among piles of cardboard and in-between dumpsters. A low light came from the alley, but the quantity of trash made it difficult nonetheless to locate any human being. Instinctively, Dylan seemed to always find the man and jumped over a small box before crouching down. Owen stayed close, scanning the area. She thought for a moment that he would back off but he remained there. Her focus back on Bear, she tried to jostle the irritating old man awake, but she only had a low moan as an answer. A moan bordering on pain. She must have made a sound because Owen turned sharply in her direction, nearly bumping into her.

  “What? What’s going on?” She ignored him, examining Bear, sitting against the wall, pale and grumbling.

  Dylan started to get through the multiple layers of dirty clothes covering Bear. It was only when she reached the last cotton T-shirt that she saw blood. Owen must have seen it, too, because he tried to pull her back but she shrugged him off. Bear stirred and opened one droopy eye.

  “Get off me!” The command was wobbly and faint.

  “It’s me, Dylan. Tell me what happened.”

  “They tried to get my wool blanket. Bastards.”

  “I’m sure it�
��s not very far. Owen, can you check around?”

  Owen straightened up and nodded. He didn’t go far, but it allowed Bear to relax an inch.

  Who would attack a helpless old man? And for what? A blanket? Or maybe Bear hid something much more valuable on him. The best she could, she helped Bear sit straighter, now awake and muttering none stop.

  “I didn’t see the second imbecile that attacked me. I was pushing the first one when the second punched me in the gut. I think I hit the back of my head as I fell.”

  As she examined him, she saw that his frail skin had broken in some places. Nothing bad or deep, and for most, they had stopped bleeding. Even the one she could feel on the back of his head. She was glad as she knew very well that the man would have never agreed to go to the hospital.