“I should tell youno.” Judith’s laugh was dry. “But to find out he’s been doing this? That he could’ve cost us everything? Find me in my office when you get back. I’ll start on the paperwork now, and you can escort him out for me.”
“Shame Elliot can’t be here for it.” I couldn’t help myself.
She let out a strangled sigh. “He made his choices, and he’ll be gratefulyou’rehere.”
When I walked into Judith’s office, she was waiting for me. I hadn’t visually confirmed my suspicions, but it didn’t take long to find our proof, and show her. Less than thirty minutes later, we’d had Luna kick him off the network, and we were walking toward the Dev room.
When we walked in, he was asking if anyone else was having trouble logging in. Was the network down?
“Chris,” I barked his name as we walked in the room. “Shut off your computer. You’re done.”
He stood, his head popping above the cubicles like a little gopher. When he saw me with Judith, he paled.
“Done with what?” He had balls though, arguing even now.
“Work. Your employment here is terminated, effective immediately.” It didn’t matter that Judith was a foot shorter than me. She did intimidating at least as well. “Link will see you to your car.”
Whispers ran through the room. Fingers clacked on keys. I assumed everyone was either talking or chatting about this.
Chris joined us. “I will sue you.”
“And the best fucking contract lawyer in the country owes me a favor,” Judith said. “You willnotwin. We’ll mail you your things.”
I pointed toward the elevators, and tuned out a string of curse words and threats from Chris as he and I rode down. I’d been called a lot worse than a chubby, small-dicked, muscle-head in my life. As we strode toward the parking garage he said, “I didn’t do this alone.”
“Did you just rat out your partner?” I stared at him in disbelief. “Really?”
“No. I just wanted you to know he’s still out there.” Chris’s gaze drifted toward Loading Java.
Where Bryce had been this morning. Very possibly still was. Fucking idiots. “That’s nice. Leave the premises. If you come back, we will call the police.”
I watched Chris drive away.
As satisfying as that was, apparently I wasn’t finished. I headed upstairs again, and directly to Luna’s office. I closed the door behind me as I walked in. “We have a leak, and I need your help shutting it down.”
“Of course.” Like a switch had been flipped, pixie-Luna was gone, and professional-Luna was in her place.
I had my phone out as well, and sent Fallyn a text.We need to make some changes to your phone. “We—I—think someone cloned Fallyn’s phone.” As I explained the thought to Luna, I sent a similar message to Fallyn. “I need you to revoke all of her current access, and at the same time, help her make sure she can get in through new means.”
I finished a similar message to Fallyn, ending withWe’re going to call you..
“Does Elliot know you’re letting her stay?” Luna asked.
I wanted to both bless and curse her for her loyalty. “Elliot’s not here.” Saying the words ached.
“Is it true the two of you, and her…” Luna shook her head. “Sorry. None of my business.”
It wasn’t hard to guess what she was asking. “All three of us together, yes. The chat logs are real, and Fallyn’s, and she was here partly to visit us.” It felt good to not hide that, even if Luna was only one person. I dialed Fallyn, and put my phone on speaker between me and Luna, while I made brief introductions.
“O.M.Geee,” Pixie-Luna peeked through. “I can’t believe I finally get to talk to you,” she said to Fallyn. “I love your videos. I wanted to meet you while you were here, and I’m sad I couldn’t. Your kitty costume day one?Envy. Plus, you’re so sexy.”
“Thanks?” Fallyn’s reply was shy.
This was sweet, but we did have work to do. “Luna?” I said.
“Yes?”
“Help Fallyn fix her phone and accounts?”