CHAPTER 12

MAIV

“I have an idea,” Maiv announced when Ana and James got back from the store.

“And I,” said James, “have coffee for everyone.”

“You are a god among men,” said Colin. “Let’s have it.”

Ana and James sat on the bed with Izzy, while Colin sat in the chair, and Maiv paced she talked.

Maiv wasn’t at all sure her plan would work. But she did know it was risky. After she explained, the others sat back and just looked at her.

James cleared his throat. “So all of this has to go exactly right or we’ll pretty much get caught and put in jail, and-or killed.” He said it like a statement.

“Pretty much,” Maiv confirmed.

Colin took a long slurp of his coffee. “Well, I’m in,” he said. Maiv looked at him in surprise. She thought for sure she’d have a lot more convincing to do.

Ana laced her hands in front of her and leaned on her knees. “This plan has a lot of moving parts and a lot of ifs. But I think it’s our only bet.”

James took a deep breath. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”

Maiv could hardly believe it. They were all on board. She just hoped she wouldn’t let them down.

***

“Talk us through it one more time,” said James as Maiv swiped back and forth on Ana’s tablet.

Maiv nodded as her fingers moved over the touchscreen. She didn’t stop as she talked—too much to do. They needed this to end and now.

“First, I’m finding out Huffmann’s phone number.” And like magic as she said the words, there was his phone number.

She opened a different tab and began downloading some software. It would take awhile. She sat back on her heels and looked up at all of them. “Now I’m downloading spy software to put on his phone. And that’s where you come in, James. If you’re up for it.”

James nodded, eyes wide but his face set in determination. “I’m up for it.”

Maiv went on, “OK. So I’ve already downloaded a voice-modifying app that will disguise your voice when you call someone.”

“I always wanted to sound like Darth Vader,” said James.

“You’re welcome,” said Maiv with a small smile. “So you’ll call him and deliver the message we agreed on.” She chewed on her lip, her insides shaky at the thought. “And that’s when I record his voice, admitting to what he’s done.”

Colin let out a huff of breath and leaned back. “And then how do we get the police to listen to us?”

The software was done downloading. Maiv typed Huffmann’s phone number into the software and waited for that to register. “We don’t go to the police. We go to SolarStar.”

Ana said, “That’s smart. Let them call the police. And if the SolarStar people don’t believe us, we can bolt if we need to.”

Maiv looked at James. He scooted closer to her so that he could easily talk into the tablet. “Ready?”

He nodded.

“Then I guess it’s time to blackmail Alfred Huffmann.”