Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series Ainsley Claire (primary phonics books .TXT) 📖

“It’s changed since the rollout, so that will tell us something,” I offer.

“This is going to take some time,” Gage says. “I need to bring in Thomas Turner, but he was at the baseball game today, so even if I can find him, he may not be sober.”

“Just let us know what you can in an hour, and then we can wait for the full rundown,” Jim demands.

“No problem,” Gage says and disconnects the call.

“How much of your algorithm is out there with the sample version?” Mason asks.

“We may be okay if it came from there, because I knew it could be cloned,” I tell him. “We gave it an abridged version until we could lock it down.” I think for a minute. “But if they pulled the code for their app off our servers, then I’m screwed.” I look out the glass doors and watch all the people arriving. I roll my neck, trying to get the tension to leave. I think I need about six more of those pomegranate martinis.

Mason reaches for my arm. “How are you doing with all the Viviana shit?”

I shrug. “It’s a slog. Diamond still isn’t telling me much. Are they talking to you as a board member?”

Mason shakes his head. “I was deposed last week, and it was nothing. They interviewed Christopher Reinhardt last week too.”

“I get why they interviewed you, but why did Christopher?”

“Viviana’s company had been in his portfolio at SHN. Fractional Technology came in through our usual channels. We moved it over to Christopher to guide them through the process of going public. It was a big win for us. The feds went through our books on Fractional Technology. Walker probably shouldn’t have told me, but he said Viviana has almost none of the money left from the public offering, but they can’t figure out how she spent it.”

“That’s almost three billion dollars, right? She must have hidden it,” Nate says. “Before she was arrested, she made a big deal about having legitimate money making her wealthy, and her illegal activities made her powerful.”

We’re all quiet for a moment.

“Does the FBI have any idea where her illegitimate money is?” I ask.

“No one has said anything to us,” Mason says. “What did they talk to you about?”

I groan. “Six hours of depositions. What didn’t they talk to me about? Honestly, I’m not sure they’ve even cleared me as a suspect.” I look at Nate in a panic. Does he think I might be a suspect?

“They’re grasping at straws,” he assures me. “I wish Walker was heading this up. Although they’d figured out it was Viviana about a year before they told us. I think it was something she did while in Montana at Landon’s place.”

“That’s my old place,” I tell him. “I miss the ranch. I need to look for a new property.” I sigh. “What are we going to do?”

“Well, I think if you don’t go out and talk to your boyfriend soon, he’s going to come in here and take us all down,” Jim says with a smile in his voice.

“I don’t think he’s totally figured out who I am,” I confess. “I haven’t told him, and I’m not sure what he’s put together. I don’t think he’s been doing any research.”

“That must be refreshing,” Nate says.

“We’ll see,” I say. “I do have some baggage.”

Nate snorts. “I have baggage. You have a healthy bank account.”

Mason sighs. “Anyone over thirty has baggage. But as Caroline says, it’s a matter of whether it’s carry-on or needs to go under the plane. Yours is easily still carry-on.”

“Maybe.” I look again at the website up on Nate’s monitors. “Let me know what Gage reports. I’ll have my team develop a patch immediately.”

“We’ll have to get Cora Perry from FBI Cybercrimes involved, and they can hopefully shut the website down,” Mason says.

Jim nods, and I let myself out of the room and go in search of Axel. When I see him, he’s talking to Nolan Ryan, and I have to stop and gather myself. I need to say hello, not hyperventilate.

Chapter 16

Axel

I must have walked by Nate’s home office about eight times. Mia is in there with Jim Adelson, Mason Sullivan, and Nate. What are they all doing? Are they investors in her business? Her Flirt website up on the computer screen…  What is the deal?

I’m feeling a little nervous, and I’m getting my second drink when Nolan Ryan approaches me. That doesn’t help my nerves much.

“Hi. I’m Nolan Ryan,” he says.

I smile. “Great to meet a legend.” We shake hands. “I’m Axel Remington, Jeremy Hamilton’s agent.”

“That’s what I thought.” He shakes his head. “That kid is only seventeen. I didn’t have that kind of control at that age, nor did I have his composure.”

“I don’t think he set out to break your records,” I tell him. “He’s really good at looking at each pitch individually.”

Ryan nods. “That’s what I mean about composure. I’m thrilled I was able to see him break his own record today, on top of a perfect game. That game will be replayed for decades on sports highlights. Thanks for flying me out.”

“I think between sharing this game with you and his parents, he’s having the best day of his life.”

“I’ll bet he has quite a few more great ones ahead of him.”

As I nod, I see Mia, finally out of the office, and I reach my hand out to her so she knows she can approach. “Mr. Ryan, this is my girlfriend, Mia Couture,” I tell him as she comes to my side.

“Please call me Nolan, and it’s very nice to meet you.”

Mia smiles, her eyes a little wider than usual. “I’m a huge fan. You were one of the first players I followed when