Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“That’s my girl. Come on, Cindy girl. Let me feed you and we’ll get this process started so we can finish it and explore what the future holds for us.”
“I like that idea.”
“I do, too, Little girl.”
CHAPTER 5
Dirk sat next to her in a suit Cynthia was sure cost more money than she made in several months at Edgewater Industries. His demeanor had shifted into lawyer mode as he walked her up the steps into the police department. As she listened to him talk, Cynthia was glad to have him on her side.
He'd stayed with her for hours until the federal investigators finally appeared. Even now, as the questioning seemed to be coming to an end, Cynthia didn’t sense any impatience or rush to leave her. She’d used his calming breath practice several times during the interview process, when everything seemed overwhelming. The pride in his eyes as she responded as they’d practiced this morning made her heart happy.
“Okay, Miss Grant. I think we have all the information now. We’ll continue our investigation and schedule a time with the judge for you to enter a plea. Until then, you will remain in jail as a flight risk,” the agent informed her.
“Miss Grant is not a flight risk. She became spooked when the program she was blackmailed into loading exploded into a much more serious bug than she had been promised. Even then, she remained in the area as she struggled to know what to do.”
“People who aren’t guilty turn themselves in immediately. They don’t disappear.” The agent dismissed Dirk’s assurance.
He held up his hand when Dirk opened his mouth to speak again. “Nevertheless, it’s not my call, as you know. The judge will make those decisions when he hears the plea Miss Grant enters, as well as the details of the case. There is a backlog of federal cases. It may be a couple of weeks before someone can address this case.”
“Mr. Edgewater does not wish to prosecute,” Dirk reminded the investigator.
“Cyberattacks are handled at the federal level whether the company who incurred the attempted takeover wishes to pursue charges or not. Are you representing Edgewater Industries in this case as well?” the agent asked, one eyebrow raised in disbelief.
“No. Here is the card of the legal counsel for Edgewater Industries who will handle any questions or requests from the company.” Dirk pulled a crisp business card from his portfolio. The woman named on the card was his second-in-command. He’d already given her a heads-up last night after tucking Cynthia into bed for the first time.
“Thank you. I’ll let the detective here know that he can escort Miss Grant to a cell now.”
“I would appreciate if you would request Miss Grant be placed with nonviolent offenders,” Dirk stated.
“I’m sure that’s up to space availability, but I can make that suggestion.”
As the door closed behind the federal agent as he left, Cynthia turned to Dirk. “Are they going to put me in with murderers?”
“An official request from the investigator will help ensure that you are placed in a safer holding cell. Remember to breathe and do your best to avoid any trouble. We want you to be viewed as a model inmate. I’ll come see you during visiting hours.”
“And take care of Bullyboo?”
“He’ll sit on my dresser until you can hug him in person.”
“Thank you for everything,” she whispered as the door opened and an officer walked in to take her from the interrogation room.
“You’re not alone,” he reminded her as the officer led her away.
She didn’t know how to answer that. That was exactly how she felt as she walked through the barred gates that would prevent her from escaping. Practicing the calming breaths he’d taught her, Cynthia focused on the fact that one person at least had her back as she entered a room labeled ‘processing area.’ Two female guards wearing gloves waited inside.
“First step, take off all your clothes and jewelry and put them in this basket,” the older woman instructed.
Wanting to get this over as fast as possible, Cynthia stripped off her clothing. When she folded her T-shirt neatly, the other guard laughed.
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll have to go through everything.”
Nodding, Cynthia stepped out of her shoes and slid her jeans off. It’s just like you’re in a bikini at the pool, she reminded herself.
“Everything!” The impatient reminder was tossed her way.
She exhaled and pushed her panties down and shrugged out of her bra. Cynthia shivered in the cool air of the room. Staring at the floor, she wrapped her arms over her breasts and waited for the next instruction.
One guard pulled the basket of clothing toward her and methodically started checking for any contraband while the other stepped closer to Cynthia and barked commands.
“Raise your arms over your head to show me your armpits.”
“Brush your fingers through your hair.”