Scarred Surrender (Scarred Series Book 6)
Page 22
Shit! Whoever it was knocking at his door was getting in somehow. He thanked God that he’d had the foresight to build his own firewalls into his system. Another blocker flashed up on the screen and he breathed a sigh of relief. Ninety-nine percent done. Sweat beaded on his brow as two more attempts on his computer’s brain were foiled.
A ping told him that he was at one hundred percent. He instantly clicked the download complete icon, closed all the open screens, and hit the reset button. His screen went blank for a moment and then lit up. His finger shook as he touched ‘factory settings’ and then he reached into his desk drawer for a screwdriver. He flipped over the notebook and began turning the threads as fast as he could. Another bleep signalled a further attack. He didn’t waste time looking to see if the invader had breached his security. He gave up with the screwdriver and picked up the computer, slamming it onto the floor. The screen shattered instantly and he grabbed up his chair, ramming the leg down as hard as he could just as his final alert began screaming from the machine’s still intact speakers. He brought the chair down hard again, fragments of plastic and metal flying all about the office. The screaming stopped.
Dropping the chair, he picked up what was left of the motherboard, separating it from the remnants of the plastic casing, ripping wires and ignoring his now bleeding fingertips as he stripped the connections.
Ragged breaths left his lips as he stared down at the mutilated machinery that now covered half his office floor. Perspiration dripped from his brow and he felt the bile rise in his throat. He gulped in air, his head spinning at how close a call it had been. His tablet suddenly pinged with a new email. He stared at the sender’s name. Jesus! They had tracked his secret email address! Did they know who he was? There was nothing in the tablet that would lead to an investigation but he still hit the delete button without opening the message.
Glancing out of his office window, he looked down into the service yard. He was taking a chance but he had to get out now. Steve could deal with the business for a few weeks until he had covered his tracks and made sure that there was nothing incriminating for anyone to uncover.
He turned away from the window, strode to the broom cupboard, and pulled out the vacuum cleaner and the dustpan and brush. Cleaning the mess took longer than he wanted it to, but he couldn’t leave any more evidence than could be helped. He bundled the vacuum bag and larger fragments in a carrier bag and shoved it, along with his external hard drive and his tablet into his bag. He took another look around the office. A forensic search would probably show up hundreds of fragments of his computer, but he had done the best he could in the time available. There wouldn’t be anything big enough left to gain any information or to leave a trail.
Minutes later, he was up on the roof of the building. He kept himself bent low as he ran across the flat roof and slid over the low wall separating the office building from the shopping centre. Sirens wailed in the distance, giving him an extra incentive to stay out of sight and seconds after that he heard them blaring in the yard at the back of the buildings behind him.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He ignored it as he clambered over another wall and towards a set of stairs set at the edge of the rooftop. Another thirty seconds and he had disabled the alarm system of the fire-door, slipping through into the home-ware section of the local department store.
A mid-season sale helped his descent to the ground floor. Crowds of people mingled around the racks and stands of bargain priced goods. He slowed his pace to match the unhurried shoppers and five minutes later, he walked out into the busy high street.
His phone buzzed in his pocket again and this time he dipped his hand in and snagged it out. James was calling. He lifted the phone to his ear.
“Sorry, I can’t talk right now. I sent you a message.” He glanced right and left as he crossed the street and leapt onto the bus. Someone spoke at the other end of the phone as he handed over a few coins.
“Yes, I have your message. See you at the wedding.” The caller hung up as the bus driver handed him his ticket.
Alex took the strip of paper and moved along the aisle to an empty seat as he stared down at his phone in horror. The caller’s tones had been light, jovial even, but though their voices were similar, Alex’s chest had tightened and his stomach gave an uncomfortable roll. It hadn’t been James speaking on the other end of the phone.
THE END
http://www.amazon.com/Jackie-Williams/e/B008UODPN2/
I hope that you have enjoyed Scarred Surrender as much as I have enjoyed writing it. There are five more books in the Scarred Series and if you haven’t before, now is your chance to catch up with the whole team.
Military Romance
http://www.romanticsuspensebooks.org/scarred-series/
Running Scarred
Can Patrick ever face up to his changed world and take a chance on a new love and a new life.
Scarred Beginnings (42,000 novella)
How it all began. David’s heart wrenching story.
Forever Scarred
Can Joe’s heart and his confidence take the battering when facing his worst fears?
Scarred Horizon
Paul’s chance for love, if only he’s willing to take it.
Scarred Survival
Gemma’s journey of trust with the new pilot in town!
Other books by Jackie Williams
Unrivalled Regency Romance
http://www.romanticsuspensebooks.org/regency-romance/
Silence of Scandal
Bathtubs, brandy and blackmail. He married her, but will he ever love her?
A Murderous Masquerade
A hidden gem, a missing Lord and a hangman’s noose. Will Giles live or will jealousy lay waste to all he and Anne desire?
A Gallant Gamble
A gallant gamble on a wild ride! Can he win or will he lose the most challenging race of his life?
Dangerous Deceptions
There are secrets to be told and treasures to keep hidden. Will Lord Edward Ellesworth return a changed man or is it all a Dangerous Deception?
An Elusive Escape
She’s been hiding for far too long, but the evil that wants her is closing in fast. Can Lord Charles find her in time or will she need to make An Elusive Escape!
Go to
http://www.amazon.com/Jackie-Williams/e/B008UODPN2/
To see more from Jackie Williams
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Jackie also writes contemporary, new adult and young adult suspense and adventure romance.
http://www.romanticsuspensebooks.org/contemporary-romance-french-themes/
http://www.romanticsuspensebooks.org/contemporary-new-adult-romance/
A Perfect Summer
A lifetime of pain and terror wiped out by one perfect summer of love.
Silent Treatment
A young woman’s dancing dream while waiting three years for her true love to return from
football stardom.
Delicious Desires
A delicious desire for one man could become the love of his life’s destruction.
Treasured Dreams
Could a thirteen year old girl’s diary have really sealed the fate of her entire family.
Tinted Lenses
She’s a photographer’s dream, but will those lenses still be tinted by the time they fight their way out of the Amazon rain forest.
A Fallen Fortune
Can Leo give up home and his fortune to take a chance on love?
Echo Beach
A message sent through time for one woman to hear, but will she be able to listen over the pounding of her heart.
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Jackie’s Naughty Side
http://www.romanticsuspensebooks.org/jackies-naughty-side/
A Hole in One (The Front Nine)
Nine short stories staged around the game that spoils a good walk – but not any longer!
Shorter Reads
http://www.romanticsuspensebooks.org/shorter-reads/
The Garden of Eden
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Blistering summer heat and a sun-bronzed beefcake builder.
A Deathly Disguise
Who can possibly resist the temptation of killer heels?
Emerald Eyes
Diamonds, sapphires and rubies have nothing in comparison to a pair of enticing emerald eyes!
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She’s always delighted to hear from her readers and you can email her at
Jackie@romanticsuspensebooks.co.uk
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