![]() ReWired
-- EXCERPT: Simone never did anything without a reason. There’s only way to find out what that was. I need to get on a computer. And I know just where to find one. In Ms. Matthews office. When Ms. Matthews pops in for room check, I pretend to be deathly ill. Getting this lady to believe me isn’t as hard. My fake gagging sounds cleared the room really fast. After everyone heads to their first activity, I sneak down to the lunchroom and snag the lunch lady’s security card from her register. After some time observing, I know the center uses a standard swipe system, so hopefully this card will gain me access. I inch down the back hall and stop a few doors down from Ms. Matthews’ office. As soon as the security camera swings away, I run to the door and swipe the card. When the panel beeps, I push open the door and close it behind me. I lean back and breath. So far, so good. I roll the interior blinds shut so no one can see in and eye the bookshelves. That modem light told me there was a computer in here somewhere. I just have to find out where Ms. Matthews hides it. Trolling around the cramped space, I’m careful not to shift anything out of place. Some paranoid people set traps. A moved garbage can, a misplaced pen, or a wrinkled cushion can all shows signs of an intruder. I’d bet all my typing fingers that Ms. Matthews keeps this office extra dusty, hoping to snag a fingerprint or two. I nose around her desk, looking for a clue, and tug on the top drawer. It’s locked but easily crackable. Using a letter opener, I jimmy the latch until it opens, careful not to leave a scratch. I sift through a few ancient photos of Ms. Matthews and a boy who I assume is her son Patrick, an old pack of hairy gum, and a letter from the bank about some missed payments. I also come across a book of deposit slips. The carbon copies recorded huge amounts. Wow, this place brings in some serious dough. Seattle has way too many computer addicts. I jot down the bank routing number and the account number in my notebook before replacing the slips. Sitting in her chair, I twirl, taking in the view from every angle. When I spot the paneled wall, I stand and knock. Sounds hollow. The perfect place to hide a computer. Or a body. There’s no door handle, but there is a keypad. The kind that usually has an open button for convenience or in case of forgotten codes. I go back to the desk and slide my hand around the drawer past broken pencils, dust bunnies, and lonely paper clips. In the very back, my finger grazes a small lever. The paneled wall slides back, revealing a hidden room. Open Sesame! I pull on the light cord and step into the damp space reeking of mothballs and mold. I squint in the dim light. Filing cabinets and stacks of cardboard boxes labeled with black marker crowd the tiny room. Jim. Sandi. Michelle. No names I recognize. Unfortunately, there appears to be no order to this lady’s stacking madness. I rummage through some old files until one folder catches my eye: CONSTRUCTION PLANS. There, I discover archives of the mansion’s floor plans, including past building additions and blueprints. The schematics show me the enormity of this old place. I shove a few in my back pocket. I case they come in handy later. Something hums a familiar song, grabbing my attention. I spin around and spot an old school desk in the corner. Sitting on top is the prettiest sight I’ve seen since checking out of reality and into CrazyLand. A computer. And not just any machine. A state-of-the-art HP PC injected with a speedy processor. Matthews may pretend to live in the 1800s, but she’s more tech-savvy than she lets on. Not to mention, a total hypocrite. “Hello, beautiful,” I whisper. The stress of the last few days dissipates. The Dark Angel is back. ![]()
GIVEAWAY!
7 Comments
Lisa Brown
8/31/2017 03:24:09 am
congrats on the release, it sounds interesting, and thanks for the chance to win:)
Reply
Sara Zielinski
8/31/2017 11:25:20 am
congrats on the release of your book.
Reply
Rita Wray
8/31/2017 12:46:49 pm
Great excerpt, thank you.
Reply
heather
8/31/2017 04:11:33 pm
I so can not wait to read this one sounds so good.
Reply
Dale Wilken
8/31/2017 06:18:57 pm
Loved the excerpt.
Reply
Victoria
8/31/2017 08:51:19 pm
Great excerpt, sounds like an awesome book!
Reply
Cynthia R
9/5/2017 11:31:19 am
I've always been fascinated by the world of hacking and computer programming, sounds exciting.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
February 2021
|