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  He looked nervously between Slash and me. “Um, who exactly is he?”

  My gaze met Slash’s across the room. Suddenly I knew. Of all the times in the world for it to happen, in that crazy instant in time, my boundaries shifted.

  I knew.

  “That’s...that’s my boyfriend.”

  Noah gasped. “What? He’s your boyfriend?”

  My eyes didn’t leave Slash’s. “I guess so.”

  Slash’s smile spread across his face slow and easy. Then he leaned down close to Noah and spoke in a low voice. “You are damn lucky. If it were up to me, I’d snap your neck for that shower stunt. Let’s make one thing clear. If you betray her trust in you, she won’t be the only one hunting you. Do you understand me?”

  Noah gulped. “Y-yes, sir.”

  Slash stared at him for a tad longer than necessary. Noah’s legs were trembling so badly and I thought he might collapse. Slash gave him one last menacing look and then stepped aside.

  Uttering a small cry, Noah threw open the door and ran out. His footsteps echoed down the hallway. After a moment, I heard the main door to the studio slam shut.

  “You scared the living crap out of him,” I said.

  “Good.”

  I blew out a breath and walked over to Noah’s terminal. I sat down and started working on his computer. Slash pulled up a chair and sat beside me, but said nothing while I worked. I had no idea how much time passed until I was finished. When I was done, I leaned back and swiveled my chair toward him. I felt really old and really, really tired.

  Slash reached out and took my injured hand, capturing it between his. His thumb gently rubbed the sore spot in the center of my palm. “Tell me. Why did you do it, cara? Why did you let him go?”

  I looked down at my hand, caught between his. “I’m not sure. I did it because...he’s me. No, I’m him. What I mean to say is that I understand him. Don’t misunderstand me. What he did was wrong. I’m not in any way condoning that. All the same, I believed him. I don’t think he intended any actual harm. Besides, his crack backfired. SWM didn’t suffer economically and, in fact, he probably made the studio more money than they might have ever expected from an inane show like this. The guys on the show got a kinder, albeit inept, girl to interact with. And maybe, just maybe, I’m feeling benevolent because somehow in the midst of this insanity, I found a boyfriend.”

  He smiled. “It looks like I arrived on the show just in time.”

  “Looks like it.”

  I tried to ignore the pounding headache that had started behind my eyes. “You know, I meant it, Slash, when I said I’d fry him if he ever came back. I know him now. I know his methods, his style, and his signature. I’d find him again, and he’s smart enough to know it. I don’t think he’ll ever crack again.”

  “Agreed. Still, I would have tossed him in jail. He was arrogant and stupid. A dangerous combination. But you have a tender heart.”

  “You could have stopped him, you know. Stopped me from doing it.”

  “Si, I could have, but it wasn’t my call. It was yours. While I might not agree that the punishment fits the crime, I still think you did the right thing.” He stroked my cheek with the pads of his fingertips. “You did some fine acting yourself tonight.”

  “You liked that bit about the prototype?”

  “It was risky. He might have known there is no such thing.”

  “Maybe, but it was doubtful. I didn’t lie when I said he has wicked skill, but he isn’t my caliber. Not yet anyway. All the same, I think he needed that last push to believe I had him.”

  Slash leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on my mouth. “You are, by far, the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met.”

  I sighed as he cupped my face with his hands.

  This time he kissed me longer and more thoroughly. He was so gentle and tender, it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

  “Mine,” he murmured against my lips.

  We stayed there for a moment in silence. He finally pulled me to my feet. “Let’s get you back to the hotel and to bed. You are about to drop.”

  I didn’t have it in me to argue. “I’m going to need all my strength to face Cartwright in the morning and tell him I’ve caught the hacker and I’m leaving the show.”

  Slash put his arm around me as we headed out of the IT room. “He’s not going to be happy to hear that.”

  “I know.”

  “But you’ll handle him.”

  “Yes. I’ve got an idea I think will make everyone happy.”

  He grinned. “At least you have no worries about poor Nelson. He’s already deliriously happy.”

  I smiled. “Well, there you have it then. The hardest part is already done.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Slash was waiting for me in the parking lot at the studio. He leaned against a black sports car. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes, and he smiled when he saw me.

  “How’d it go?” he asked when I reached him.

  “It was touch and go for a while. It took me some time to bring Cartwright around, but thankfully everyone else was on board.”

  “Everyone?”

  “Pretty much. Cartwright wasn’t exactly happy, but he didn’t have a lot of room to maneuver.”

  He reached out, took my hand. “What was your solution?”

  “The show goes on, just without me. In place of me will be Basia. Thank goodness Finn approved. Basia will spend the rest of the series helping the remaining guys truly learn how to interact with girls. The intention is for her to help set them up with real-life young women chosen from online profiles. She’ll view the profiles with each of the guys and try to help them find the qualities she thinks will best match their personalities. Then they will actually go out on dates with the girls they choose. Each episode will be filmed and afterwards, Basia will offer them a gentle critique or pointers to help them improve their skills. All this dumb stuff about hot tubs, marriage proposals and extreme, not to mention uncomfortable, situations is over.”

  “The contestants agreed?”

  “It wasn’t too hard to bring them around. After all, it’s why they came on the show in the first place. At first they tried to talk me into staying, but technically, this solution was much more appealing to them. Cartwright finally agreed after the studio executives gave it the green light. There wasn’t much they could do anyway. The season is near its end anyway, plus Finn had it spelled out in no uncertain terms that I was gone as soon as I caught the hacker. They didn’t want to cancel the show, but they couldn’t continue as they were. So, they had to make a choice. Right now Geeks Get Some is ridiculously popular. I’m sure Cartwright will get his PR team to spin the new development in their favor.”

  “Of that, I have no doubt. What about the voting?”

  “Oh, the voting will continue as well. The audience will decide who has improved the most. The voting system is secure now and I’ll bring Kyle up to speed on everything I did, including how to keep an eye out for an insider threat.”

  “So, your moment in the television spotlight is finished?”

  “Pretty much, although I agreed to come back for the final show this season. I balked at first, but it was Basia’s idea for a compromise and it did help bring Cartwright and the studio execs to our side. Plus, Cartwright was pretty upset by the abrupt departure of Nelson Soddenbag.”

  “Ah, yes, that was quite unfortunate.”

  “He’ll probably never ask Nelson to come back.”

  “I assure you, Nelson considers himself fortunate.”

  “Also Cartwright got this bright idea to do one whole show on the situation with the cracker. How I got stuck on the show and eventually how I shut him down. It will be part of a two-hour finale. They expect a fantastic ratings night. I have to come back to be inte
rviewed about my role in it. It’s all a bunch of crock, but I can manage it, I suppose.”

  “You’ll do just fine. So, you convinced Cartwright the cracker is gone and the holes are plugged?”

  I leaned against the car next to Slash. “He really has no choice but to take my word for it. I could explain what I did six ways to Sunday and he still wouldn’t have a clue what I was talking about. In some ways Noah was correct in his manifesto. People who control the ins and outs of cyberspace are the new force in the universe. It’s looking more like the geeks, and not the meek, shall inherit the Earth.”

  Slash nodded. “Si, it’s a new world out there.” He lifted his face to the sun. “You ready to go home?”

  “You have no idea how much. I already had Glinda make my plane reservations home. I’ve got to tie up some loose ends here and I should be home by tomorrow evening. How about you? Are you headed back to DC or New York?”

  He smiled. “I’ll be wherever my girl is.”

  * * *

  It was harder than I expected to say goodbye to everyone. I decided to do the guys first. Tony drove me out to the mansion. When I arrived, they were playing “The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.” They looked up when I came in.

  Eldrick hopped off the floor and approached me first. “Hey, Lexi. How did it go with Cartwright?”

  I gave him a fist bump. “It’s a done deal. You guys start shooting the new scenes tomorrow with Basia.”

  Gregg swaggered toward me. “Baby, that’s really good news, although I’m sorry you’re leaving. I felt as if we were just getting to know each other better. So, how well do you know this Basia woman? Think you could put in a good word for me? She’s pretty hot and looks like a smart woman. She might be able to fully appreciate my mojo.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Listen to me, Gregg. You are not going to hit on Basia. She’s just going to help you find a woman with whom you might actually be compatible.”

  Truman slapped Gregg on the shoulder. “Dude, finding that girl for you would be a true miracle.”

  I shrugged. “If anyone can do it, Basia can.”

  Gregg frowned. “I think everyone is underestimating the power of my mojo. Need I remind this group that I was the only one who got anywhere near Lexi’s lips.”

  I grinned. “Just a word of advice, Gregg. Stay away from girls with stun guns. It’s not a good mix for you.”

  He crossed his heart. “Okay, baby. It’s a deal on that one.”

  Truman edged Gregg to the side. “So, Lexi, are you going back to the East Coast now?”

  “Yep. That’s where I live. But the next time I’m out here, I’ll look you up. I’m sincerely looking forward to that tour of Black of Night you promised me.”

  “Great. You know, I sometimes get spooky cases in New England. Wouldn’t be too hard for me to make a trip down to the nation’s capital sometime to say hello.”

  “Sure, anytime.”

  To my surprise, Anson suddenly enveloped me a hug. “I’m going to miss you, Lexi. Can we stay in touch?”

  “I don’t see why not. Plus, it would be prime if you could pass on a discount or two from any of the excellent Wicked Fish games. Most of the stuff coming out of the company these days is first-rate.”

  “I can do that and go one better. I’d be happy to give you some hints on getting past the Seismic Sorcerer.”

  “Sweet.” I gave him a high five. “I’d appreciate it.”

  Ray came next and he gave me a hug, too. “I wanted you to be the first to know—well, after Tanya—that I’ve been contacted about cutting a demo album. I wouldn’t have had that opportunity if it wasn’t for you.”

  “I don’t think that’s true, but it’s great news, Ray. Let me know when your album is out so I can buy it.”

  “Thanks. I may just write a song for you.”

  “I hope it’s not some sappy thing.”

  He chuckled. “No, it will be something along the lines of the cheeky, geeky girl who put me on the right path.”

  I thought about it. “If you put it that way, I say go with the sappy thing.”

  He laughed and I looked over his shoulder and saw Barnaby. He looked forlorn, standing to the side of the group, watching me and waiting.

  I disengaged from Ray and walked over him. “Hey, Barnaby. I came to say goodbye.”

  “I know.”

  “Okay, so, goodbye. I wish you luck in all of your endeavors.”

  He studied me for a moment. “Did you mean it?”

  “Yes. I really do wish you luck with your endeavors.”

  “No, not that. Did you mean it, back at the comic book convention, when you said you would be interested in talking to the real me?”

  “Do I look like a person who goes around saying random nice things to people for no reason?”

  He smiled. “No.”

  “Then I meant it.”

  “But why did you say it? What do you see in me that would give you any indication I would be interesting to talk to?”

  I looked at him, considering. “Well, for one, you have a photographic memory like I do. You have an enormous capability to remember and recall facts and information, not to mention quotes. As a result, it’s logical to extrapolate that you have a valuable—not to mention fascinating—amount of data stored in that brain of yours. In my experience, vast knowledge usually equals unique and intriguing insights and perspectives. I could easily see us talking for many hours about a wide variety of topics. Plus you are a theoretical physicist, which interests me on a personal level. Therefore, that’s why I would be interested in talking to the real you as opposed to Ab’Jona, the sock puppet.”

  “I’m not good at real conversation.”

  “I’m not either. But at least I try. I don’t hide behind props. What you see is what you get. It doesn’t always work, but it moves me forward at the very least.”

  “Fair enough. Do you really think Basia can help me? I need to learn to interact better with stakeholders to solicit increased funding for my projects.”

  I nodded. “She can. Truthfully, I’ve come a long way in regards to interaction with others and a true social life thanks to her. She’ll make you go outside your comfort zone, but that’s okay. I’ve found stepping outside the zone is critical to developing all relationships, stakeholders or personal. But whatever you decide, Barnaby, I’m leaving you in capable hands.”

  “I will consider all you have said. Thank you, Lexi, for many things. You have influenced me more than you may realize.”

  I patted his shoulder. “I expect great things from you. You’ve got this.”

  “I’ll keep you posted on my progress.”

  “I’d like that.”

  I waited a beat, but it didn’t come. No Repercussions quote, no Shangra farewell gesture, no nothing. Optimism swept through me and I grinned as he turned back to the television and joined the others in the game.

  Tony drove me back to the studio in his convertible. The top was down and despite the fact it was early December, the sun shone brightly and my spirits were high. Tony cranked the music and a screaming guitar howled along with the wind in my ears.

  Shortly before we reached the studio, Tony turned down the radio. “Hey, Lexi, it’s going to be really boring without you around here.”

  “I sincerely doubt that. Plus I’ll be back for the finale.”

  “Can’t wait.” Tony laughed again and stepped on the gas again. I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes.

  When we got back to the studio, I stopped by my old dressing room to wish Basia good luck and say goodbye to Ace, Rena and Mandy.

  I was surprised to once again feel a tug at my heartstrings. Somehow, in the midst of all the craziness, I’d become rather fond of all of them. I wondered if that meant my emotional intelligence wa
s stretching and growing. Everyone gave me a hug and I didn’t mind in the slightest.

  The biggest hug came from Basia.

  “Look, I so owe you for taking my place,” I said as I hugged her. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “You are so wrong. No owing or thanking is involved. Friends do it for love. Besides, this is a job and I’ve got it covered. You need to go back to Washington, hunt down some more crackers, and make sure X-Corp stays in business so we can both stay employed.”

  I smiled. “Deal.”

  I left the group as soon as they began talking about Basia’s wardrobe for the upcoming session. I was so thankful it wasn’t me, I actually had a spring to my step.

  When I reached the IT room and went inside, everyone started clapping. A dozen balloons were tied to my swivel chair and a big sign that said Goodbye, Lexi hung below one of the giant television screens.

  I looked around in astonishment. “What’s this?”

  Carlos blew a noisemaker in my face. It unfurled and snapped back while Melinda brought me some flowers.

  “It’s your going-away party,” she said.

  “A party? For me.”

  Noah stepped forward, met my eyes evenly, calmly. His eyes were still swollen and puffy, but it could have easily been explained away by exhaustion. More importantly, I saw a gratitude and newfound determination in them, and felt better for it.

  Noah nodded. “You stopped the cracker. You saved our jobs and we are beyond thankful for it.”

  I met Noah’s gaze for a moment and then nodded. “Well, you’re all welcome. It didn’t require a party though.”

  The team moved aside and Kyle walked toward me, carrying a large platter with a chocolate cake in the shape of a computer monitor. The cake read in green squiggly lines Thanks, Lexi. We’ll miss you.

  Kyle held out the cake. “Noah is right. It did require a party. You went the extra mile for us. Even if we’re not sure exactly how you did it, we’re pretty appreciative that you did.”

  I looked around at their faces and knew they would be okay. Even Noah. No, especially Noah.