Free Love Story by Kathryn Shay Page B

lead to a specific staff member. Now we need professionals to comb through their computers and to look for any evidence of suspicious activity.If the emails escalated, that would probably have been the next step, even if the computers hadn’t gone down.”
    “It would be pretty stupid for anyone to use his work computer to orchestrate all this.”
    “Crazies aren’t noted for their intelligence. Let’s see if Cyber Crimes can get to all the computers by the end of tomorrow.”

Chapter 8
     
    Elizabeita tried not to read anything into Nick’s lack of contact after they’d finished with the exhibit Wednesday afternoon. And there was no reason to expect to see him every night. She just…wanted to. So she sat in her office the next day, trying to decide what to do—seek him out or let him come to her. Her boss appeared at her door. “Hi, Dee. Anything new on yesterday?”

    Delores blew out a breath. She seemed calmer today. “Cyber Crimes is here. They’re checking staff computers, starting with our department.”
    “Was the emailer connected to the shutdown yesterday?”
    “Apparently they suspect he was. Security wants to see if they can track him down through our individual accounts.”
    “Why hasn’t security tried to trace him that way before?”
    “I thinkthey scanned our network. Besides, the emails were sporadic and mostly considered a nuisance.”
    “How long will each computer take?”
    “Not sure. But be ready to switch gears anytime today.”
    “I will.” When Dee had left, she booted her computer. Called up her email. A message from the curator from the Dali Museum came up first, inquiring about the shipping for the exhibit. She’d just finishedanswering him, when a woman in a black suit and stark-white blouse came to the door.
    “Ms. Ludzecky? I’m Agent Michaels from Cyber Crimes. We need to run some diagnostics on your computer.”
    “I heard you would. Should I vacate the office?”
    “It’s up to you.”
    “How long will this take?”
    “I’m not sure.”
    “I’ve got some things to do on the floor. I’ll be in and out. Do you needpasswords?”
    “Sure.” After Elizabeita gave them, Michaels said, “We’ll be changing them.”
    A bit disturbed, Elizabeita left her office. She stopped in the break room to get coffee and once again wondered if she should seek out Nick. Sitting down, she sipped the brew—and almost spit it back into the cup. “Yuck.” The coffee tasted bitter, as if it had been made yesterday. Who knew? Maybe ithad. She fixed herself lemon tea instead. That was better. People filtered in and out. There was some discussion about Cyber Crimes, but most people were taking the time to relax—which was not her strong suit.
    Her cell phone buzzed. Maybe it was Nick. She saw the caller ID. “Hi, Ana. Everything okay?”
    “Couldn’t be better. I have a doctor’s appointment in town at three.”
    “Your OB-GYNis in Manhattan?”
    “Yeah. Remember how Jared knew some guy in the city and wanted him as my doctor when I was pregnant with Opal? I decided to go back to him.”
    “Want me to go with you?” “I was going to ask you to meet after, but yeah, that would be fun. Can you get away?”
    “Easily. Crazy day here. I’ll tell you about it. Text me the address.”
    “I will.”
    “Ana, thanks for thinkingof me.”
    “I think about you a lot, honey. I hope you’re well.”
    “I am. See you soon.”
    After the call, Elizabeita went in search of Nick. This was stupid. If she wanted to see him, since she hadn’t last night, she should go find him. She started with the Dali/Picasso exhibit area. He wasn’t there. Nor was he in other rooms where work was being done. Nothing. She was at the end of thehall that housed the security office and saw him come out of it. With Director Davidson. They spoke for a bit. A strange feeling passed through her. Huh, that was odd.
    Hands in his pockets, head down, he walked toward her, so deeply in thought that he nearly