Code Name Genesis (Jameson Force Security 1)

Bebe scans her three visitors, her eyes hard and suspicious. She has no clue why she’s been summoned here, but I can also see she’s slightly curious. I was told she only gets two visitors twice a year. Past that, she has no connections to the outside world.

A guard comes in behind Bebe and unlocks her shackles. He gathers them up and exits, pulling the door closed behind him.

I stand from the table, then offer my hand to her. “Hi, Bebe. My name is Kynan McGrath.”

She shakes my hand, still regarding me with general distrust. I nod at Corinne. “That’s Dr. Ellery. She’s a psychiatrist.”

At this, Bebe blinks in surprise, but then she gestures at Joslyn. “And why is Joslyn Meyers sitting in a prison room with me?”

Not surprised she knows who Joslyn is. Most anyone who has access to TV does. She’s not only an award-winning pop star, but she’s also an accomplished actress. While Bebe is denied access to the library and internet, she has been allowed a small TV in her 4x9 cell that only gets four channels, but those include major networks, so it makes sense she’s seen something with Joslyn in it over the years.

“She’s a client of mine,” I reply, sweeping a hand toward the empty chair. “Why don’t you take a seat?”

Bebe shuffles around the table, walking as if still shackled. I’m guessing it’s a product of habit and having little space within which to maneuver. She sits slowly and puts her clasped hands on the table, her eyes locking on mine. “What can I do for you, Mr. McGrath?”

“I’d like to offer you a job.” It’s said bluntly, and Joslyn jerks in her seat. Dr. Ellery shakes her head over my rash proclamation, but Bebe merely cocks an eyebrow.

“You’ll have to wait thirteen more years before I’m supposedly eligible for parole,” Bebe drawls with an amused smile, and it’s clear she isn’t taking me seriously.

“I can get you paroled today,” I say firmly, and her smile freezes before it slides away.

“No one has that type of power,” she replies tightly.

“I do.” I give her a charming grin. “But before I work my magic, I need you to tell me something. Why did you get caught?”

Bebe’s eyes widen in surprise, not over my assertion I can spring her from prison, but that I’d even care to know why she landed here in the first place.

Not “how” but “why,” and that’s a particularly important distinction in my mind. Bebe’s eyes cut to Dr. Ellery, who gives her an encouraging smile. They then drift to Joslyn, who now seems to be invested in this conversation. She leans forward slightly in her chair as she watches Bebe carefully.

When Bebe focuses on me again, I can see something warring deep in her eyes. I don’t need Dr. Ellery’s formal professional opinion to know Bebe isn’t a trusting individual, so I decide to help her along the way.

I begin by explaining all about Bebe Grimshaw. “Bebe is incredibly intelligent. She turned down scholarships from prestigious colleges and universities all over the world, choosing to go to MIT, where she studied computer science. In her sophomore year, she got pregnant. While I can’t tell from her file if it was a love match, the father didn’t stick around. By Bebe’s junior year, she was a single mother struggling to raise a son on her own while continuing her schooling.”

I dare not look at Bebe, but I can actually see from my peripheral vision she’s sitting bolt upright now with her body locked tight. Continuing, I relate this story just for Joslyn’s benefit. “Times were really tough on her. She came from impoverished beginnings. While her mother helped with the baby, she’s a diabetic and was on disability so she was struggling herself. To help make ends meet for everyone, Bebe took odd jobs when she could. Because she was really good at computers, those jobs ended up being in the field of cybercrime.”

Joslyn peeks at Bebe, and I spare her a glance. She’s glaring with her jaw locked tight, but I ignore it. “It was petty stuff at first, but she soon caught the attention of a black-hat hacker group that saw her potential. The money they paid her was good, and when it became too damn good, she dropped out of school, I’m guessing because she saw it as a way to give her son and mother a good life, despite the fact what she was doing was felonious.”

Bebe shoots up from the table, her face flushed red with anger.

I merely say in a quiet voice, “Sit, Bebe. I promise this will be worth your time.”

She doesn’t do as I say. Instead, she lifts her chin defiantly. She doesn’t move to the door and call for the guard, so I return to my conversation with Joslyn.