“If I had any money,” Liam said, “and I’m not saying I do, there are other ways.”
“Tell your court-appointed attorney?” Amara asked. “Not likely. Any decent lawyer is gonna know we’ll come after them if we suspect they’re involved in receiving stolen money. Phone a friend? You trust them that much? Even if you did, hard to call them if you don’t have a phone.”
“I know my rights,” he said. “You have to give me one call.”
“Yeah? Learn that on TV, did you?” She sighed dramatically. “Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s no law saying that. Up to me. I can give you one call or a dozen calls. Or none.”
Ms. Walker clasped her hands in her lap. “What happens now?”
“Set it up, Liam. Tango Murked or however you meet. All four of you. I want to be there when it happens.”
“They’ll know,” he said. “No way I can bring a noob in with me.”
“I don’t want in the game. Only to be standing beside you when it happens.” She opened her door. “You don’t follow through or anything looks iffy to me, you’re done. You’ll be going offline for a very long time. Oh, and you’ll be the noob in prison. Comprende?”
Amara stepped out of the vehicle. “Thank you for a lovely ride, Ms. Walker. Twelve hours. I don’t hear from you by then, I’ll assume you’ve made your decision.”
53
“This should be good,” Barb said. “I don’t get to see this side of things very often.”
Amara stood behind the woman’s chair. “Keep an eye on everything he does. Don’t worry about what he says. I’ll handle that. If I’m unsure of something, I’ll ask.”
Liam looked back over his shoulder. “I can hear you, you know?”
“I know,” Amara said. “So hear this loud and clear. Your deal depends on my satisfaction with what happens tonight. If I get the slightest inkling you’re hiding something, we’re out of here and you’re going with us. Take a good look around. Could be the last time you see your room.”
The teen’s bedroom had been hurriedly reorganized to accommodate the group now hovering around his computer desk. To his left, a tripod-mounted camera recorded the boy, keyboard, and monitor. A CSI tech stood beside the device, ready to film with a handheld camera if needed. Behind him, Ms. Walker jockeyed for a better view in the limited space between the others and the walls. Barb sat to Liam’s immediate right, her excitement palpable, and the Walkers’ attorney, Davis Yandell, stood behind and to the side of Amara.
Ms. Walker had phoned at five-thirty this morning, well before the twelve-hour deadline. She’d probably been awake all night making arrangements. “We’ll do it,” she’d said. “Liam already set it up. Nine tonight. Everyone will be there.”
Amara’s day had been swallowed by preparations. Running the plan by Lieutenant Segura. Getting CSI’s agreement to be there. Walking Starsky through everything. The hardest part was finding the owner of Haley’s rental home and convincing him to cooperate. Haley was a good renter, the man said. Always paid on time. Never complained. Finally, after the umpteenth assurance from Amara that a cop would go with him and he wouldn’t be held responsible, the owner agreed. Twenty minutes ago, Starsky texted Barb to pass the message that he and the man were in position down the street.
Eight fifty-five p.m. Less than five minutes from now. That’s when the three remaining members of TOXICftw would be online. MM12 had confirmed he’d be there as well. Amara shifted her weight from foot to foot. The investigation didn’t exactly hinge on the next few moments, but what occurred could shove the filing of charges from an indeterminate future to mere seconds from now.
The boy still had no clue what was about to happen. Hard not to feel a little bit sorry for him. Or his mother. Both would have to deal with the consequences of the teen’s multiple felonies.
“Here we go,” Liam said. The Tango Murked logo filled his screen and he cycled through the menus until arriving at the designated site. Here, isolated in this battle realm, he and his team could practice their moves. Learn to work together. And plot their crimes.
“You’re sure they can’t hear us?” Amara asked.
Barb shook her head. “The mic’s disabled.”
The speakers on either side of the display dinged as a character appeared on the monitor. A tall girl, blonde pigtails, heavy armor, toting a huge axe, walked toward center screen.
“That’s Haley,” Liam said.
Almost instantly, another ding announced Matias’s arrival. A giant of a man carrying some sort of multibarreled weapon strode toward them.
Barb let out a low whistle. “Their gear is pretty high level. Wouldn’t mind matching up against you guys sometime.”
“Don’t think that’s going to happen,” Amara said. “Is MM12 usually on time?”
Liam nodded. “Yeah. We start on time so we don’t stay online too long.”
The teens exchanged a round of “hey” in the chat window.
“Hold up,” Amara said. She pointed to the screen. “Haley is Lady Ren Darkcloak, Matias is Burwulf the Usurper, and, um, you’re the Mailman?”
“Liam backwards is mail. Had the username since I was old enough to type. Where I go, it goes.”
“Don’t people, I don’t know, make fun of it? I mean, it’s not like it fits with the other names.”
Barb shook her head. “Doesn’t have to fit. It’s who he is online. If he wanted to change it, he would. Names mean a lot. They’re part of us.”
Liam half turned his head. “My dad gave me the name.”
Amara’s heart sank through her chest. Way to go. “Sorry.”
“We usually don’t chat much until everyone’s here. Sometimes we mention a movie or TV show the others might want to check out, but that’s about it.” He turned toward the camera and leaned so he was centered in its view. “How old is that thing? You recording on tape or what?”
“Sit back, please,” the CSI tech said. “Don’t block your monitor.”
The final ding sounded and Mighty Mouse 12 popped into view. Short with a long white beard, a sword in his hand.
Barb scoffed. “That’s a mountain dwarf. I mean, a sword’s okay but they’re much better off with a hammer or spear.”
Amara laid a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Noted. Might want to remember everything’s being recorded.”
Liam glanced over. “She’s right, though. Noob doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
MM12 made his way toward the others and messaged “sry again about Zach.”
The others replied with “thx” and waited.
“Can you enlarge the chat window?” Amara asked.
Liam complied until most of the left-bottom side of the screen was a see-through grayish box with flashing cursor. The other three players stood there and the game initiated each character’s standing-around motions. Scratches, yawns, tapping weapons on the ground, generally looking bored. “What do you want me to ask?”
“Who usually starts the conversation?”
He shrugged. “Used to be Zach mostly. Until he got outvoted on the nursing home. Now it’s whoever.”
“Do whatever you need to as long as it’s in line with what you’ve done before. Nothing to alert them we’re watching. No code words or anything like that.”
He rubbed his fingertips on the keyboard. “This is harder than I thought it would be.”
He thinks he’s betraying his friends. “I’m going to tell you something,” Amara said. “But you have to keep your emotions under control. Understand? At least one of your so-called buddies is cheating you. Getting far more money from your customers.”
His reflection showed a frown and narrowed eyes. “I doubt that.”
“Of course you do,” she said. “What kind of friend would you be if you didn’t? But here’s the thing, Liam. You know how on the internet you can never really be sure who you’re dealing with? The real world’s no different. Ask your mom. She’ll tell you the same thing. Sorry, but you trusted the wrong peopl
e.”
“Even if I did, that doesn’t make this right.”
Tension squeezed Amara’s neck and she clenched her fist and bent forward. “Oh, you do not want to go down that road with me. Why don’t you talk to Zachary’s family about what’s right? Or your mother? You’ve destroyed her life. Do you realize that? I’m about ten seconds from pulling the plug on this. Wonder what the DA will say about your deal then?”
The boy’s head barely nodded. “Been there. Rage quit, right? Can’t tell you how many controllers and mice I’ve trashed. One monitor too. Best thing to do is walk away for a while.”
Walk away? Her hands threatened to take on a life of their own and wrap themselves around the boy’s throat.
“Here we go,” Liam said.
A message appeared at the top of the chat window and the discussion began in earnest.
>Lady Ren: every1 up 2 this?
>Burwolf: rdy as ill ever be
>Mighty Mouse 12: got one ready. You in Liam?
>the Mailman: yep. we r splitting 4 ways now?
>Burwolf: :-(
>Mighty Mouse 12: unless someone has another idea?
>Burwolf: only way to do it
>Lady Ren: agreed. what’s the target?
>Burwolf: what about those lawyers in arizona?
>Mighty Mouse 12: not now. got a better one.
Amara flicked her bottom lip. Of course Haley didn’t want to hit the lawyers. Not after she’d told the cops about them.
>Mighty Mouse 12: Port of Pascagoula on the Gulf Coast. $200k min.
“You need to respond,” Amara said. “Tell him that sounds good.”
>the Mailman: sounds good.
>Lady Ren: details per usual?
Liam touched the screen. “He’ll send the info in a Zcoin transfer. Then we’ll get to work on the hacking.”
>Mighty Mouse 12: yes. Anything else?
“Liam, tell MM12 you think there’s a problem with the police,” Amara said. She dialed her phone. “Starsky? Thirty seconds or less. Not until I tell you.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “We’re in position.”
“Stand by.”
>the Mailman: might be a problem with the cops
>Lady Ren: ???
>Mighty Mouse 12: what kind of problem?
“Now,” Amara said. “Starsky, do it now.”
54
Amara held her breath and locked her gaze on the monitor. There. Two of the three visible characters disappeared and a message popped up in the center of the screen.
Lady Ren Darkcloak has left the game.
Mighty Mouse 12 has left the game.
“Where’d they go?” Liam asked. “What just happened?”
The homeowner cut the internet line. Think, Liam. What’s the real question? “What does it look like?” Amara asked.
“Haley, um, she was there but her connection dropped?” He scratched his ear and peered at her. “That doesn’t make sense. How could they both, uh, at the same time?”
>Burwulf: ??!!
“Answer him,” Amara said.
“What should I say?”
“Doesn’t matter. I got what I needed.” She held the phone to her ear. “Still there?”
“Yep,” Starsky said. “Sure you don’t want me to go inside?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t do any good. She’s smart enough to have already wiped the hard drives. I’m headed your way. Just make sure she doesn’t go anywhere.”
“Will do. I’m cutting the home’s owner loose.”
“10–4. See you soon.”
>the Mailman: dude.
>Burwulf: u think MM12 got 2 haley?
>the Mailman: maybe. im unplugging
>Burwulf: me 2
The teen exited the game and swiveled his chair to face Amara. “Zach was the best of us. At what we did.” He rubbed his reddening eyes. “If she’s MM12, I mean, the money’s one thing, but Zach?”
Murder was on a level by itself. “I can’t tell you anything about the investigation.”
Mr. Yandell, the Walker’s attorney, spoke. “You’re finished with my client?”
“For now,” Amara said. “Not for long though.”
“Fine,” the lawyer said. “Mr. Walker, please don’t say another word.”
Liam wiped his face with his T-shirt. “You going to Haley’s house now?”
The attorney nudged his way forward. “Mr. Walker, please.”
“Yes,” Amara said. “I’m headed straight there.”
“Mind giving her a message?”
“If I can.”
Liam smiled. “Tell her I know and that effective immediately she’s banned from the team.”
“Sure.” Don’t think it’ll be breaking news to her.
The teen cocked his head. “You don’t get it, do you? All she has left is that stupid dog and that won’t be for long. She’s alone now.”
There’s nothing worse than losing your anonymity. That’s what the girl had said. But Liam was right.
Being alone was far worse.
Amara stood to the side of Haley’s door and knocked hard again. “I know you’re in there. I’m not leaving and neither are you. We can sit here until someone shows up with a search warrant if that’s what it takes.”
“What do you want?”
“Detective Peckham and I just want to talk. Get your side of things.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The grand jury will. “Haley, it’s nearly eleven o’clock. Are we going to talk through a door all night?”
“No.”
“Meaning?”
No response came.
Amara tapped on the door. “Whose idea was it? MM12. You come up with that by yourself?”
Again, no response. Give her somewhere else to point the blame.
“Liam and Matias know you’re MM12, by the way. Oh, and Liam said that Zachary was the best hacker of you all. That true? I bet he’s the one that broke into the insurance networks, wasn’t he? Pretty sweet. You two make a little extra on every job. Who’s to know?”
Nothing.
“Only one thing I’m not sure of,” Amara said. “Was it real?”
After a moment, “Was what real?”
“You and Zachary. A couple. Boyfriend and girlfriend or whatever you call it these days.”
The door opened an inch. The girl’s wide eyes showed no sign of tears. “He loved me. I know he did.”
“Feeling wasn’t mutual, huh?”
“Maybe a little. Made things too complicated.”
I’ll bet. “Hold on a sec.” She backed up a step and yelled for Starsky to come around front. “Okay. You were saying things got complicated? In what way?”
“The way things do.”
Evasive enough. “Let me guess. You told me he wanted out after the nursing home, well, let’s call it what it is. After you all committed the felony at his grandmother’s place. And you didn’t want him to quit. That sound about right?”
“Maybe.”
Amara nodded. “Surely you weren’t afraid he’d snitch? Especially not on you.”
“Not on any of us.”
Starsky walked beside her. “Everything okay?”
“So far,” Amara said. “Still gonna make us stand out here, Haley?”
The door opened a smidgen farther. “We’re doing okay like this.”
“Uh-huh,” Starsky said. “You tell her we’re not standing out here much longer?”
“Couple more minutes. You can call then.”
“Call who?” Haley asked.
Starsky crossed his arms. “Why do I have to call? You do it. Your case, your paperwork.”
Amara inched forward and lowered her voice. “See, when we get search warrants and stuff, the forms are a pain.”
The girl cut her eyes between the two detectives. “Get a search warrant. I don’t care. You’re not going to find anything.”
“You’re probably right,” Amara said. “All that c
omputer stuff’s wiped clean by now. Nothing else to find here. Gotta go through the motions though. Hey, Starsky, she says her boyfriend would’ve never snitched on her.”
He chuckled. “That right? I guess we’ll never know.”
“Says their relationship was, what was the word you used, complicated. Ever hear of such a thing? A complicated relationship?”
He tilted his head and rubbed his chin. “I think I’m in one.”
Amara gave him the look. “So anyway, Haley here was telling me she wanted to break it off or he did or maybe it was both of them.”
“I never said that.”
Starsky tapped his watch. “It’s late and I’m hungry. Can we speed this along?”
“Hear that, Haley? He’s hungry. You gonna tell us what we want to know or are we going to have to do the paperwork? I’m feeling generous—been a real solid night—so you cooperate and I’ll put in a good word for you.” She bent closer. “Unless you killed your boyfriend. Mmm-mmm. Juries hate that. So tell me. Did you kill Zachary Coleman?”
“Get your warrants.” The girl backed away to close the door, and Amara jammed her foot in the opening, then shoved it open.
“You can’t come in here!”
Starsky stepped inside. “Too late. You want to do the honors, Alvarez?”
She moved toward Haley. “Hands behind your back. You’re under arrest.”
The teen edged away. “For what?”
Amara grabbed the girl’s arm and spun her around. “You’ll be notified of the charges at the proper time.” She clicked handcuffs on the teen’s wrists, then pulled a card from her pocket and Mirandized her. “You understand these rights?”
The girl nodded.
“With these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now?”
She shook her head.
“I’ll take her to the station,” Starsky said. “Meet you there?”
“Yeah. I’ll get started on the search warrants for all three of them. And an arrest warrant for Matias Lucero.”
Haley looked back. “What about Liam?”
“Oh,” Amara said. “Look who’s the snitch now. But you did remind me of something. Liam sent a message. You’ve been kicked off the team.”
“So what? That supposed to bother me?”
Network of Deceit Page 29