Eyes on the Unseen Prize

  ***

  When Nick and Piper entered Allison’s office, they found Chase sitting in a spinning chair in front of Allison’s laptop on the side of the desk typing code.

  “Hey Chase,” Nick said.

  “Hey. Just trying to help out a little here,” he said, yet kept his full attention on the computer screen in front of him. “Trying to get a lead on the identity of the hacker.”

  “Lucky you stopped the withdrawals when you did.”

  “Too bad I didn’t stop them before they started.”

  Piper studied Chase, who was wearing blue jeans and a striped button-down shirt. Dark spirits were swarming all about, which made Piper cringe. Suspicious. It was just too coincidental that a cyber-crime occurred just after he and Cherie had gotten involved with the home. Despite the chill in the air outside and the ceiling fan blowing in the room, Piper noticed he was sweating. His forehead was glistening and she could see sweat drops under his nose. Perhaps nervous? Perhaps guilty? The dark spirits were messing with his life.

  Her thoughts turned to Cherie. Poor Cherie. Pregnant Cherie. With a thief for a husband. What would she do? What would she tell her son or daughter about her dad? Maybe he would be imprisoned for this crime. Or maybe it would lead to their divorce. Maybe. What if he’s not guilty? What if I’m wrong? She watched him as he banged the keys on the keyboard of the computer.

  Allison stood up from her chair and came around the desk to shake Nick and Piper’s hands. “Thanks for coming, Nick and Piper. And many thanks to you, Chase. Rather fortuitous for us to have the service of a cyber expert just when it’s needed the most.” Her deep-set dark eyes appeared solemn, though she wore a warm smile.

  “Please, take a seat.” She pointed to the cushioned chairs around a mahogany-colored table in her office, to which Nick and Piper headed. Then she sat down in the chair behind her matching desk.

  She was an attractive Jamaican woman, dressed sharply in a purple dress with a black and white paisley silk scarf. Her hair was pulled tightly back into a bun, which exposed her large silver hoop earrings. They offered a stunning contrast against her skin tone.

  “So, are you going to call the cops?” Piper asked.

  “Already reported the crime. They’re going to send someone out from their cyber division,” Allison responded.

  “That’s good. Between the cops and Chase, I’m sure we’ll be able to get to the bottom of this.” Nick said.

  “I’m sure,” Piper said as she shifted her eyes to Chase, the snake in the garden.

  “So what can we do?” Nick asked.

  “Nick, since you and your mom are our most recent and most significant benefactors to the Collins Foster Home, I considered it prudent that we inform you of this matter. We’ll work hard to resolve the situation by involving the police and taking any security measures suggested both by them and by Chase. We will protect your investment in us.”

  “Allison, I know you will. We’re all just heeding our call to serve a greater cause and this is one of the greatest causes to which I feel we can contribute. We’re just pleased to be in a position to provide to this great organization.”

  “Thank you Nick. And thank you too Piper. You have a very good man, and you’re an amazing woman. We very much appreciate all that you do to serve the home and the many Saturdays that you two have devoted to helping our children.”

  “You’re welcome,” Piper said. “And thanks to you too, Allison. I’m sure you could have chosen a much more lucrative corporate path.”

  Allison smiled. “Of course. But then I wouldn’t be answering my calling.”

  Piper watched Nick as he shook his head in affirmation.

  Chase spun around in the chair. “Cherie and I have been putting in our time here too, Allison. We’ve put in over thirty hours so far. And I’ll probably stay here today for quite a while to work on this. More hours for the home.”

  “And we appreciate you and Cherie as well, Chase. Of course we do.”

  “Thanks,” Chase said as spun back around towards the computer. “I’m sure you know I could be at the beach right now or playing golf.”

  “Chase, we appreciate you,” Allison stated once again in a strong and firm tone.

  “Thanks. Good to know,” Chase said.