That wasn’t surprising. The pandemic a few years back had changed the way people worked. It was much more acceptable to work from home now. It also might be far more comfortable for a woman who basically fired people for a living. “But nothing about the abusive ex.”
“Oh, she talks about him, but only in the past tense,” MaeBe said. “I can’t find any pics of the two of them. She either deleted them or she was extremely private. Most of her Instagram is about her cats. She had two and seemed very attached to them. She doesn’t talk about it but there’s a post a year ago that says her cats died and she’s heartbroken. She went dark for a couple of months and when she came back her tone’s been different. I kind of think the ex might have killed her cats.”
“The ex sounds like an asshole. Who would kill a cat?” Kyle asked.
Deke happened to know that Kyle was fond of cats, especially his brother’s. “Does she talk about her relationship with Byrne?”
“She does not mention him by name,” MaeBe replied. “But she has been talking about how positive she’s feeling lately and things might be turning a corner. She talked about living well being the best revenge.”
“What you’re saying is she’s got a deep enough footprint that we’re not worried she’s not who she says she is,” Kay said. “But she’s the one who wanted in The Reef.”
“We can ask her when she gets here,” Drake replied. “Or rather you can, Kay. I’d like you to stick close to her, and I’ll stick close to Byrne.”
It irritated him that Drake was trying to take over. He was responsible for these people. “You can play the dungeon monitor. Byrne doesn’t know you. He’s not going to relax around you. I’ll show him around with Josh, if that’s okay with Kay.”
“My man is ready for action,” Kay promised. “His last three films have been slow-moving Oscar bait. He wants to do some spy work.”
He hoped Josh was as good as Kay claimed he was. “All he has to do is follow my lead. My plan is to separate them right at the beginning. Let the subs walk Jane around and Josh and I will walk Byrne through. Then we’ll meet back up and watch some scenes. We just have to get through the night so we can get to Saturday. That’s the real op.”
“I’ve been studying up,” MaeBe promised. “I hunted through a bunch of recent articles on Byrne, and one of them features a shot of him in his private office. It’s got this gorgeous view of the ocean in the distance, but it’s also got a decent view of his whole system. I managed to isolate and refine that part of the picture. I figured out who makes his components, and I know exactly what I’m up against.”
“It was seriously the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” Kyle said, his brows waggling suggestively. “She figured out who built his system, got the dude on the phone, and had every single component out of him without even threatening to wrap his colon around his neck or anything.”
MaeBe’s eyes rolled. “Yeah, it’s called charm and finesse, buddy.”
It was good to know MaeBe was ready. “I’m glad to hear that. You have everything you need?”
“Yes. It’s a complex system but I’m ready. Getting into the room is going to be more complicated,” she replied.
“I’ll handle that,” Kyle promised. “I’ve got a plan. I wrote it up and sent it to you.”
“Uhm, I’ll need a copy of that.” Drake looked at Kyle like he’d gone insane.
“If Deke sends it, you’ll get it,” Kyle said with a shrug. “He’s my lead on this. He controls the flow of intel.”
Kyle had been surprisingly easy to work with. “I’ll get it to you this afternoon.”
“What should I expect tomorrow night, boss?” Boomer had finished up the chips and was looking around Kay’s office like a lion searching for another meal.
“You’re going to watch the door.” Poor Boomer would be sitting in a perch all night. At least it was California and it wouldn’t be cold.
Kay moved to Boomer, threading her arm through his and leaning against him. “I asked our cook to make you a big old basket of all kinds of treats. I’m talking her best tacos and sandwiches and cookies.”
Boomer smiled down at her. “Thanks, Kay.”
“So we’re all good when it comes to this part of the op?” Kay asked, and Deke nodded. “By the way, you did say this Jane woman is an experienced sub, right? Because tonight is Bernie’s petting night, and that can freak some people out.”
“According to Byrne, she’s been in the lifestyle for years.” It didn’t bother him that she didn’t talk about it on her socials. He didn’t talk about it either. “If she has, then she shouldn’t be shocked. Dare I ask what petting night is?”