Free The Housewife Assassin's Killer App by Josie Brown Page B

supposedly the most secure IT network in the whole world. Isn’t it logical to think it was an inside job?”
    “It’s a strong possibility, yes. But considering that both it and the LNI are part of the IIO—that is, an interagency intelligence operations technology—and can be accessed by contracted analysts in addition to any one of one-hundred-thousand IC employees, it could have come from any access point,” Dominic declares. “Today alone, each of my fifteen team members is spending the day on the ODNI campus, interviewing twelve people a day—predominantly IC analysts who monitor RTTI. At the same time, Arnie and his team are running security diagnostics on their computers.” He sighs. “In other words, we could spend the rest of our lives interviewing personnel with access.”  
    But we know where it came from: Carl. We’ve just got to prove it.
    It’s times like these that I miss Jack. But he’s not here. So, instead, I have to ask myself: What would Jack do?
    He would rally the troops by instilling a sense of urgency.  
    He’d let them know that he never doubts their abilities to finish the job—
    Before it’s too late.
    I turn to Arnie and Dominic. “Tomorrow, start with the DI’s office and work your way out from there. I want you to handle it personally.”
    Arnie turns white. “You mean interview Darth Vader himself?”
    “Yes. In fact, treat it as a hostile interrogation. Run every diagnostic you can think of on Carl’s computer, smart phone, and any other device he owns. Run a proctoscope up his ass, if you have to.” The thought of watching them do so makes me smile. “In fact, I’d like to join you, if you don’t mind.”
    “Sure, no problem.” Arnie is practically relieved. “Thanks, boss lady.”  
    I blush. “That’s not necessary. I’m just plain old Donna.”  
    Of course, if it turns out that Carl had nothing to do with it, my name is mud.
    It’s a chance I’m willing to take.
    I have no other choice.

Chapter 6
    User-Friendly

    The term “user-friendly” describes either a hardware device, or software interface , that is easy to use, learn, and understand. Most aren’t overly complex, have well-organized interfaces, and provide quick access to their features and commands.
    Wouldn’t it be nice if the man in your life were as user-friendly as your computer? Is it too much to ask that he stay organized, obey your commands, and understand your every need?
    How wonderful would it be if, when he screws up, you could reboot him!
    Or, better yet, replace him while he’s still under warranty—
    Say, a decade later.
    Ha! As if.

    Granted, the address Susan wrote down is in Georgetown—
    But it isn’t a restaurant at all. It’s a three-story Federal-era mansion on one of the neighborhood’s most elegant streets, just a couple of blocks off the M Street-Wisconsin retail hub.  
    Is this a private residence?
    Damn it! He invited me to his home— where we’ll be alone .  
    I stand outside for so long that, inevitably, his security camera zooms in on me. Realizing this, I scurry down the massive marble steps—
    Only to freeze as I hear Carl’s voice. “Great, you found my humble little hovel! Come on in!”
    Slowly, I turn around. He’s changed into khakis, but he’s still got on the white button-down shirt he wore in his office. However, the sleeves are rolled up.
    He looks relaxed. And normal.
    Just like the Carl who left me.
    I point toward M Street. “I…I thought we were meeting at a restaurant.”
    His chuckle is deep. “I figured I should convince you that I’m still parenting material. That being said, I’ve made dinner for us, here.”  
    Still, I hesitate. If I go in there, no telling if I’ll be drugged and sold into slavery—or worse yet, murdered.
    It must be easy to read the concern on my face, because he adds, “Trust me, I don’t plan on poisoning you. Granted, I’m not the consummate cook you are, but I have been taking private