The woman’s face closed in on itself, making her look like a prune.
“Ma’am,” said Ethan mildly, “I’m sure you know my work is of a highly confidential nature.”
“Oh, we don’t hold with that here,” she said. “And don’t try and use that high and mighty stuff on me. I know who you really are.”
Though she tried to hide it, her expression took on a sneaky, triumphant air. Here we go, thought Ethan.
“Of course you know me,” he said. “I just introduced myself.”
“Of course,” she said, the smarmy smile still in place. “The guy who bought the old Lewis place.”
“That’s right.”
“Did you enjoy tearing down that old house?”
“Excuse me?”
“Did you even spare a thought for what it might mean to this town to have a heritage site like that? The old world roses alone were a treasure. It might have put Cherry Lake on the map but no, you had to swan in with your bags of money and thoughtless arrogance and raze it to the ground, with no thought of anyone but yourself.”
She threw the words at him like little grenades. He took a step back.
“Oh,” she said, crossing her arms. “You didn’t know about that? I’m not surprised. The mayor has his pride, as do we all. But I’ll guarantee that Nathan Jackson hasn’t forgotten who destroyed a piece of his heritage.”
Ethan reeled, his thoughts spinning. Nathan Jackson. Carrie’s grandfather?
Mrs. Terlecki got to her feet and took his elbow. “Now that you have a better understanding of your place in the world, may I show you to the computer science department?”
“Mrs. Terlecki,” he began, as she propelled him into the hallway. “I assure you, I had no idea of any heritage value when I purchased my property.”
“If you say so.”
“I didn’t. I purchased it from Robert Jackson. Surely, if it had sentimental value to the family, he’d have told me.”
“I’m sure it’s none of my business.” Having said her piece, she was finished with him. “Here you go. You can find your way out when you’re done, I’m sure.”
And she left.
This couldn’t be true, thought Ethan. But if he’d unknowingly offended Carrie’s family, it gave him still more reason to stay away from her. He’d be the last person they wanted her involved with.
“Mr. Nash?”
A pleasant-faced man wearing a plaid shirt and khaki pants approached, with his hand outstretched.
“Call me Ethan,” he said. “I’m looking for the computer science department.”
“You found it. Don Ackerman, department head, such as it is. I have to admit, I’m surprised to see you. What brings you here?”
Ethan dragged his thought away from the Jackson family.
“Surprised? Why?”
Ackerman looked taken aback. “Well. No reason, I suppose. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t make assumptions.”
But there’d been a reason. And Ethan had a feeling he knew who was behind it.
“I run a cyber-security business,” he told the teacher. “Do you mind if I ask a few questions about your students’ activities?”
“I’m supervising a class at the moment, but if you don’t mind talking in the hallway, sure.”
Don Ackerman spent a quick, hushed minute telling him about how stretched the budget was, how his students were constantly either gaming behind his back, or attempting to hack into the CIA, or trying to create malicious code. He was obviously frustrated.
“These kids are really talented,” he said, “but they need more than I can give them.”
“Would you mind if I took a look at what they’re working on?”
“Sure.” He led Ethan into the room and introduced him as an observer, instructing them to go on with their work.
One station was empty.
“May I?” asked Ethan.
“Of course.”
Several of the students exchanged glances, then pretended they weren’t watching. Yeah, thought Ethan. I’ve got your number.
Quickly, he routed the browser history, deftly working past the outdated security systems. Within minutes, he’d found what he was hoping not to find.