Debra & Regan Webb & Black - Marriage Confidential

“I need to know the white jade cup and the museum as a whole are secure and will stay secure. This exhibit is a huge honor for the US and a big show of trust from China. Any perceived trouble could undo months of negotiations.” She waved over another man. “If you’d coordinate with Special Agent Spalding, I need to circulate with the guests for a few minutes.”

“Sure.” He pulled out a chair and sat down. Within a few keystrokes, he was into the museum system and feeling his way around. He’d much rather be here than out there with her among a crowd of strangers.

While Spalding brought him up to speed, Sam felt Carli and Devon watching every keystroke as he looked for how the hacker had wormed this code into the display controls.

The code caught his full attention and everything around him faded into the background. He was always happier working with computer code than trying to unravel the mysteries of people. People had secrets and hidden agendas such as pretend marriage. Computer code, no matter how convoluted or infectious, always retained a sense of logic, if only to the coder. He couldn’t imagine how Madison managed all the protocols and people day in and day out. He’d go crazy under that kind of pressure.

As he worked, he kept up a running litany for Spalding. “The chances of finding his location with the tools here are low.” Sam wasn’t ready to risk a connection and upload his personal tool kit to a compromised system. “For tonight,” he continued, “I can isolate the issues and prevent him from causing more havoc.”

“Can you keep him out?”

“That requires a major upgrade for the museum. They’re well-protected from the things they know about. This...” His voice trailed off until he ran into another annoying speed bump. “Well, this kid is good.”

“How do you know it’s a kid?” Spalding asked.

“Just an educated guess based on the language, creative approach and execution. He gained access through a gap in the contact page.”

Devon and Carli added their opinions and voices to the discussion, speculating on who was behind the attack and where they were hiding. Though Sam wasn’t willing to give away the online security programs he used at Gray Box, he was happy to weave in a few improvements and lock out the hacker for tonight. “Display controls and locks are back in my control,” a man said from across the room.

“The group from China will be delighted to hear it,” Spalding said with obvious relief. “Almost as much as the museum director.”

Sam imagined Madison would be pleased, as well. “The hard work isn’t done,” he warned. “This stopgap will buy the museum forty-eight hours at best. If he wants back in, he’ll find a way.”

“The exhibit runs through the end of the year,” Madison said from over his shoulder.

Sam swiveled in the seat and met her serene gaze. “I didn’t hear you come in.” He checked his watch, surprised he’d been working on this for nearly an hour.

She gave him a small smile. “Can you create a solution that will last?”

“Yes, but not from here.” He stood up from the workstation. “I’ll work on it more tomorrow. For tonight, everything should run flawlessly.”

“Wonderful.” Her eyes were filled with gratitude. “Thank you, on behalf of all of us.”

“We’ll need to coordinate with your efforts moving forward,” Spalding said. “My team needs to know what you’re implementing.”

Startled at the man’s audacity, Sam laughed. “I’ll keep you in the loop, but you’re not coming anywhere near my lab at Gray Box.”

“This is an ongoing FBI case,” Spalding countered, planting his hands on his hips.

“All right, it’s yours. What a relief I’m not needed here anymore.” Sam stepped away from the workstation and shoved his hands into his pockets before he gave in to the urge to pop Spalding on the chin. At one time, he’d been a scrawny nerd. After high school, when his days were his to manage, he started putting in almost as many hours at the gym as he did at the keyboard.

“Gentlemen,” Madison chided. “I’m sure we can come to terms at a more appropriate time in the morning.”

Sam wanted to snarl at the insinuation that he’d cave on this point. “FBI, Department of Defense, or whoever, can sign a contract if they want a consultant. I don’t work for free.”

He and Rush had seen a need and gone after it, cornering the market of online information security. They’d both developed and sold ideas for millions, so founding Gray Box hadn’t been strictly a money-motivated endeavor. Although no one seemed to believe it, they had an altruistic side, professionally and personally.

Hackers once themselves, they’d been disowned by that community when they launched Gray Box. He couldn’t recall a week since the company went public without an attempt on the servers. Every hacker in the world wanted the instant reputation and recognition that would come from breaking into Gray Box. The legitimate businesses they supported now still held a reserve of distrust, despite their zero-breach record. Sam reminded himself public image wasn’t his problem. He left that to Rush and Rush left the lion’s share of the day-to-day technology to him.

“If you’re set,” Sam said to Madison, “I’ll be on my way.” He shook hands with Carli and Devon and signed a business card for each of them. With a final nod to Spalding, he let Madison walk him out of the security suite.

“You haven’t heard the last of Spalding,” she murmured. “He takes his role in this seriously.”

“As he should,” Sam said, matching her low tone. “I’ll cooperate with him, but I’m not handing over proprietary technology or software.” Again he reached to push his glasses up so he could rub his eyes and remembered in the nick of time he was wearing his contacts. “By noon tomorrow, I’ll have better location intel for the FBI to work with as well as a comprehensive protective program for the museum. At a fair price.”

“Remarkable.” She stopped, placing a hand on his arm again. “I have one more favor to ask.”

He arched his eyebrows, waiting.

She glanced up and down the hallway before meeting his gaze. “Spend a few minutes at the reception with me. News of my, um, husband’s arrival has made people curious.”

He kept her waiting, but she didn’t flinch. “Okay, on one condition.”

“Only one?”

He reconsidered his position. “One condition and I reserve the right to add conditions based on your answers.”

She held her ground and his gaze. “I reserve the right to refuse on a per item basis. Name your primary condition.”

He felt the smile curl his lips, saw her lovely mouth curve in reply. “Tell me where and why we married.”

“Not here.” Her smile faded. “You deserve a full explanation and you’ll get it, I promise. As soon as I navigate the minefield this evening has become. I don’t have any right to impose further, but I could use a buffer in there.”

He suddenly wanted to step up and be that buffer. For her. “I’m no asset in social settings, Madison.”

“No one’s expecting you to be a social butterfly. You only have to be yourself and pretend to be proud of me.”

He didn’t care for her phrasing. Before he could debate the terms further, she leaned her body close to his and gave him a winning smile. “Later,” she murmured, tapping his lips with her finger. “Let’s go. There’s only an hour left.” She linked her hand with his and turned, giving him a start when they came face-to-face with one of the guests.

Her moves made sense now. She’d known they were being watched while he’d been mesmerized by her soft green eyes. The intimacy had only been for show. Thank goodness.