CHAPTER FOUR

Wednesday, September 21st

KANDICE'S PHONE CHIMED, THERE WAS A TEXT.

 

Lance: You need to get over here quick. Slava found the mayor's phone.

 

Kandice rubbed the sleep from her eyes and reread the text.

She didn't bother showering, but did take the three minutes to throw on fresh clothes.

The previous day, Lance picked her up to get her moped and they trained in the garage for a while. The shifting process was less troublesome each time though her sex drive was at an all-time high. She'd been dreaming of passionate and sometimes violent sex, ever since the first time.

Lance waited with the front door open as Kandice pulled up, and he wasted no time getting her into the living room. They had the mayor's phone connected to the television and his emails were being displayed, his entire phone was at their disposal. Slava was scribbling notes on a pad of paper. Kandice picked up a pad and pen and sat down.

For ten minutes they sat in silence, writing everything possible—from events to contacts and other information that might be helpful.

Then they lost access.

The screen went black, and the phone would reboot but remained on the lock screen.

"Fuck," Lance said. "He must have realized he lost his phone. He's locked us out."

"If he locked the phone," Kandice said. "That means the phone is being tracked. My phone has that function, too."

"How do we get around it?" Slava asked.

"I don't know," she said. "Blake might, though."

She pulled out her phone and called Blake.

"We need your help," she said. "It's to do with the mayor's phone."

"Oh?" he asked.

"We found it, but we lost access."

"Okay, I'll be there ASAP."

"Thanks."

"Until I get there, place the phone in the microwave. I'll explain when I see you."

She didn't bother explaining to the others, and placed the mayor's phone in the microwave. It spoke volumes at the level of trust developed between them, that neither Slava nor Lance questioned her actions—even if they found it odd.

It was almost an hour before Blake arrived.

Kandice heard Lance greet him, "Thanks for coming. We're in the living room."

"How did you find the phone?" Blake asked.

"Yeah," Kandice said. "I didn't even think to ask with all the commotion."

"It's all thanks to Slava," Lance said.

"I have been able to follow him," Slava said. "He was in a bank this morning. I got it out of his coat pocket."

"That's slick," Blake said. "Where's the phone now?"

"We put it in the microwave, like you told us to," Kandice said.

"Good," he said. "Leave it there for now."

They showed him the notes as well, other than Slava's. As his were in Russian, and not even Lance could read them.

Blake took out his laptop from his backpack. He pulled out an antenna and plugged it into the laptop. He explained that he was boosting his Wi-Fi signal to find a neighbor's signal. Mr. Shaffer's password hadn't changed from when they lived there, so Blake could use his Wi-Fi.

* * *

KANDICE AND LANCE CAME BACK from the grocery store and started cooking lunch. Blake was still online, trying to find someone who could access the mayor's accounts. Since Lance had been smart enough to copy down the mayor's email addresses, Blake wanted to find a hacker who would take payment to get in.

Blake explained the biggest problem was the mayor was using two email accounts. The private account would be easier to get into, but his Gmail account would be the hardest. He might crack the private account himself, but he'd never be able to get around Google's security.

Kandice and Lance both nodded, but Kandice did not understand what the hell he was talking about. She knew how to use a computer, but was clueless for the higher-level security shit. Lance must have been in the same boat because he kept asking Blake if he had it under control. Not being in control of the situation must be a new feeling for him.

They focused their energy on making lunch. Slava was in his room, taking a nap. He'd still been pulling night shifts to stalk the mayor and it had paid off. Kandice just hoped that Blake was able to pull off his part.

Lance and her made mashed potatoes, steamed asparagus, and pan-fried steaks. By time they set the table, Blake had found three people willing to take the job. The cheapest of which would be 8.3 Bitcoins.

"What are those?" Kandice asked.

"I've heard of these," Lance said. "They're online currency that criminals use."

"Sort of," Blake said. "They are an online currency, but you can use them everywhere. Online, and in stores."

He explained there were several businesses around town that accepted Bitcoins, and that it was easy to sell them for actual money if you wanted. The problem was, 8.3 Bitcoins would run them about 5,500 dollars.

"I wish I had that kind of money lying around," Blake said.

"Do you think that's a fair price?" Lance asked.

"The next lowest was a full 10 Bitcoins."

"Okay. How do we buy the coins?"

"There's several websites, but are you telling me you've got 5K lying around?" Blake took a bite of potatoes.

Kandice took a bite of her steak. It was bloody, just the way she liked it.

"No," Lance said through a mouthful of food. "But we can get it quickly,"

Blake coughed, almost choking. He had to clear his throat before speaking.

"I'm not going to be a part of some kind of bank robbery."

"It's nothing like that," Lance said. "I'll just need to sell some gold."

"What do you mean?" Blake asked.

Lance didn't continue, so Kandice stepped in. "Can I tell him?" she asked Lance, and he grunted.

She explained Lance and Slava's gold making abilities. He wanted to know if he could get some as a finder's fee for new parts for his computer. They agreed that 800 dollars for a finder's fee was fine.

"We'll also make some extra for your car," Lance said.

"You're getting a car?" Blake asked.

"It's for work," Lance said.

She gave Blake a look to drop it, and they ate the rest of the meal in silence.