“How do you know?” I asked, trying to focus on the screen instead of imagining pushing Scarlett’s skirt up to get a look at what was underneath.
“We used to hack together, back in the good old days.” Carey glanced up to Frank. “I mean the bad old days.”
“Who is he?”
“I didn’t know his real name. Went by Fluffy.”
I snorted. “Fluffy?”
“Yeah. We did some jobs together before he got involved in a much bigger hacker group. They were into some bad shit, uh, I mean stuff. So I bowed out. I got nabbed shortly thereafter.” He shrugged. “And now I use my powers for good.”
“What was your hacker name?” I asked. “Though I doubt anything could be better than Fluffy.”
Carey scrubbed a hand through his hair. “That’s not important.”
Scarlet straightened, to my dismay, and poked an elbow into my ribs.
I grunted but the sound was covered as Carey continued, “This had to be the work of his group. It’s too good not to be.”
“So how do we link them to Greenwood?” I needed some sort of foothold to scale the money mountain.
“Not a chance.” Carey spun in his chair and looked up at the three of us. “You’d have to track down Discord. Not happening.”
“Discord?” Scarlett grabbed her legal pad and started making more notes. “That’s the hacker group, I take it?”
“Right. A global group of highly intelligent psychopaths with computers.”
“There has to be a way.” Scarlett chewed on the tip of her pen and closed her eyes.
“This in and of itself is progress. I have total faith.” Frank clapped Carey on the shoulder. “I have to be on my way. Everyone over there—” He pointed through the layers of glass toward the crowded conference room. “—is waiting for me. But there is one more thing.”
“Yes, sir?” Scarlett’s voice plus that phrase sent a thrill straight to my cock. Jesus, I needed her saying that to me.
“My krewe’s Mardi Gras ball is Saturday. I’ve invited several of the higher-ups from Greenwood. They’ve always attended every year. Guy will be there. I think it might be a good plan for you two to come as well, just in case anything gets said or any discussions take place.”
“Not a problem. Mr. Granade and I will be there.” Scarlett and I shook Frank’s hand once more as he took his leave.
Once he was gone, Scarlett leaned on the back of her chair and spoke to Carey. “You have to track down Fluffy.”
“No can do.” He closed his laptop.
Eric did the same, signaling our meeting was at a close. “I’ve shown him everything we have. You have our server access if you want to poke around in there remotely. Just let me know if you find anything.” He spun and faced us. “There has to be a Greenwood link somewhere. I know it was them.”
“We’ll find it.” Scarlett stowed her legal pad. “Come on, we’ll let you get back to work.” We packed up and walked to the elevator.
“It was good to see you again, Scarlett.” Eric hit the down button. “And very nice meeting you, Carey and Kennedy.” He kept his eyes on Scarlett as he talked, the light glinting off the black plastic rims of his glasses.
“Thanks for your help. We’ll be in touch.” Scarlett’s tone was all business.
“And I’ll see you at the ball next week. Save me a dance.”
She dropped her gaze to her feet. “I think I’m there for work more than anything else.”
I smiled. She wasn’t interested in Eric. Maybe the total geek vibe was a turnoff. It was for me, anyway.
“I’m sure you’ll have some time to enjoy yourself.” He glanced to Carey and me. “Gentleman, nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” I gave him a shit-eating grin to make things as awkward as possible. It worked, because he turned on his heel and walked back to the conference room.
We loaded into the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, Scarlett said, “Carey, we need Fluffy. Sooner rather than later. Make it happen.” Her iron tone had Carey looking to me for backup.
He’d come to the wrong place. “Scarlett’s right. That’s our in,” I said.
“Do you have any idea what you’re asking me to do? Discord is a dangerous group. They’ve hacked the highest levels of government. Remember that scandal involving the congressman who committed suicide after Discord hacked him and found his child porn collection and links to human trafficking?”
“Yeah, so?”
“Word in the community is it may not have been a suicide.” Carey shifted from one foot to the other and stared at the elevator doors as we descended.