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laptop." Jac placed a hand on the
    pack over her shoulder. "I always check my email in the morning."
    "I don't understand all that computer stuff." Mr. Campbell
    wrinkled his nose, as if he disapproved of technology, then his face lit
    up. "You sound like Ernie, my nephew. He's the brains in our family.
    He loves computers and things of that nature. Why, ever since he was
    little, he used to take things apart ... electronic gadgets and gizmos.
    But, putting them back together was a problem for a while ... until he
    got older."
    Mr. Campbell's amusing story made Jac grin. "It's handy to have
    someone around who knows about computers and electronics," she
    acknowledged politely. "Now, where can I find a Wi-Fi connection
    and a cup of coffee?"
    The gentleman gave her directions to a family diner, Jewel's.
    Thankfully, it was in walking distance and, according to Mr.
    Campbell, a favorite haunt for Heather Grove's more computer savvy
    crowd.
    "Thanks so much!" Jac breathed a sigh of relief as she headed out
    the door. From what she'd experienced of Heather Grove, so far, it
    was a very rural little town. However, she mused, strolling past the
    shops on Main Street, it does seem to have a quaint, unique charm.
    Although she enjoyed city living, Jac wondered if she could settle
    down into the quiet serenity of a small town. Yes, she thought with an
    amused smirk, and then I could write my great American novel. The
    wistful thought made her laugh out loud as she rounded the corner. A
    big smile spread across her face. The tantalizing scent of coffee was
    drawing her like a magnet to the diner up ahead.

    * * * *
"And, after a few more attempts, I was able to figure out what ISP
    he used," Ernie Campbell concluded, then angled his head, glaring
    over the table top at Ray. "Hey, are you even listening to me?"
    "Yeah, sure. I'm following you," Ray returned his gaze from the
    busy morning crowd in the diner to the wide-eyed youth. "So, the
    computer hacker's located in the area, right?"
    "Bingo! I'm ninety-nine point nine percent sure it's a local hack, but
    the bastard's outsmarted me. I can't get a trace. Unfortunately, the
    slime ball managed to get into the council's system and even snooped
    around on the tree, too." Ernie frowned.
    "Snooped around on the tree?" Ray repeated, perplexed. "Now,
    what do you mean by that, Einstein?"
    "He's searched the database with all our family records in it. You
    know, our family trees?" Ernie arched an eyebrow. "Our genealogical
    records?"
    Ray's gut clenched. "That's not good." He shook his head. "Do you
    think we need to call an emergency pack meeting?"
    "And tell them what? Someone's hacking into the computer records
    of Heather Grove and we don't know why? What good's that gonna
    do, Ray?"
    "Guess you're right. Just keep an eye on it, Ernie." Ray let out an
    exasperated sigh, spearing a hand through his hair.
    "Mind if I join you two?" a familiar voice sharply drew the guys'
    attention away from their deep discussion.
    "Shit, Taylor, don't you know not to sneak up on a private
    conversation," Ernie cursed, glaring up at the tall man looming over
    the table.
    "Who's sneaking?" Bruce Taylor flashed them a grin. "Besides,
    any wolf within a few feet can hear exactly what y'all are talking
    about."
    "No wolves in here," Ray glanced around the diner. "Just us and
    Mary Lynn, but she's up to her eyeballs in customers. Take a seat."
    He nodded, indicating for his friend to join them.
    Bruce pulled out a chair and sat down with a heavy sigh. Ray
    glanced over, wrinkling his brow with genuine concern. "Were you
    busy last night?"
    "Yeah, this full moon's going to be a dozy," his friend grumbled.
    "It's already getting a few riled up. I answered two calls after I left
    you last night. A domestic disturbance call and a fight over at The
    Red Lion."
    "Sheez! Was anybody hurt?" Ernie interjected.
    "Nope, thankfully not. But I have a feeling it's going to be a crazy
    next few days." Bruce shook his head.