Free Maggie Undercover by Elysa Hendricks Page A

voice down, Mad Maggie. People are
getting curious."
    "I'll shout if I want to." Anger heated her
blood, whether because he'd interrupted her investigation or teased
her in front of Jared she wasn't sure. Either way she didn't like
it, but she dropped her voice to a whisper. "I need to get close to
Jared. And don't call me that stupid nickname."
    Daniel threw some bills on the table and took
her arm. "Let's go. There've been some developments you need to
know about."
    Chrissie gave her a sympathetic look as he
hustled her out of the diner.
    Once home he turned to her. "Maggie I think
you're losing your objectivity on this case."
    "What are you talking about?"
    He sank onto the couch and patted the seat
next to him. She chose to perch on the edge of a chair. He sat
forward and rubbed the back of his neck.
    "I wanted you to investigate Jared Blake and
the high school computer club, not ruin his life. This is a very
small town. If he's not guilty of anything his association with you
could reflect badly on him. He's already been through the mill once
before because of a relationship with a student."
    "So you think he's innocent? Then or
now?"
    "My gut tells me along with everyone in town
that he was innocent back them. As to now. Maybe. Maybe not. That's
what we're trying to find out. But I don't want to sabotage his
life in the process."
    "If he's guilty of hacking into Reed
Software's computers I may need to push him over the edge to get
the goods on him."
    "And if he's not guilty?"
    "Then he's not. We move on. Our job is to
find the culprit. The rest is unavoidable collateral damage." The
words sounded cold and hard. Could she use Jared and then leave his
life in shambles? If necessary, maybe. But what about Alexandra?
Would a scandal give her grandparents the ammunition they needed to
sue for custody? Maggie rubbed her eyes. No, she couldn't hurt that
little girl. Still, she couldn't let Daniel go unchallenged.
"You're getting soft in your old age. This whole scenario was your
brainchild. What's changed?"
    "Jackson Reed thinks he's innocent."
    "If he thinks the man is innocent, why did he
put us on his scent?"
    "He didn't. It was my call. Jackson didn't
know what I had planned."
    "So, why back off now?"
    "I trust my instincts about people. Plus the
evidence doesn't point to Blake."
    "Changing the plan at this stage is a
mistake. What if I keep a tight rein on what goes on between Blake
and me? Use it as leverage if the investigation stalls?" Did she
think Jared was guilty? That this plan was the best? Or did she
just not want to back away from what she felt developing between
her and Jared? What nonsense. There was nothing between them.
    She recognized the lie. She'd sensed his
unwanted interest in her, seen him react. But it was all an act on
her part. And even if he did feel something for her, when he
discovered the truth, her deception would kill any chance of a
relationship.
    "When did you get so cynical?" Daniel
asked.
    "I've always been cynical. You've just
refused to see it. Being a softy like you isn't going to get me
what I want."
    "And what it is you want, Mad Maggie?"
    She couldn't stop the images he question
stirred – a man like Jared, a daughter like Alexandra – even the
dog.
    Was she losing her mind? Or worse – her sense
of self?
     
     
    ~~~~~

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Halloween day dawned bright, clear and mild.
The mood at school was one of high-spirited anticipation. Though
not every student or teacher chose to wear a costume, ghosts,
goblins, robots, and rock stars look-alikes roamed the halls.
    Maggie's wicked fairy costume fit her mood –
frustrated and ready to cast evil spells. The investigation was
going nowhere. None of her digging had turned up anything on the
computer club members. Whoever was responsible for the hacking had
gone dormant. Did they suspect they were being scrutinized? Or just
moved on to an easier target?
    To help catch the hacker, Reed Software
hadn't closed him off, but they'd