Cup of Crime

Chapter 29 : Concerned Third Party

Summer was an expert hacker in her late 20s. Using her special set of skills, she quickly became one of the few people the captain Ashley valued and can't work without. She was girl who could bypass the toughest of firewalls and security systems plus get her team access to any private online data. But on her days-off, she was just a normal nerdy writer who enjoys sweet pastries with a cup of mocha.

Sitting at the counter of the cafe, Summer ordered herself a plate of strawberry éclairs while pulling out her sticker heavy laptop to work. With her hair tied into a messy bun, she began typing away at her latest work. Watching as his newest customer busy on her laptop, Howard quietly placed the young lady's order at her side waiting for her to notice. A couple minutes of akward silence passed before Summer who felt the cafe owner's gaze broke it.

"Hey, Howard right? Quick question, how did you end up joining Ashley's gang? And ending up with a position like neutral zone leader?"

"Are you also part of the Black Dragons?"

"No. I work for Ashley but if I ever joined a gang, I'll never hear the end of it from my parents. Parents am I right?" Summer tried finding common ground with the cafe owner.

"Huh, my dad was actually pretty cool with it cause Tobias was the boss. They know each other like years ago. And Tobias promised me a building if I joined."

"Oh."

Summer's disappointment was quickly picked up by Howard though the young man didn't know why. But just as he was about to question her, in came an suspicious looking Danny with his eyes locked onto Summer as he slowly approached her. In his hand was a stack of romance novel.

Handing the book to Summer, Danny bowed his head and gave his request. "Hello, you're Miss. Summer Price, right? I love your books. Please sign these books!"

As the flustered gang member placed the stack of books onto the counter, Summer who was delighted to met a fan happily pulled out a pen and began autographing Danny's book. As she signed the books, Howard who had nothing better to do took quick glances at the creative and colourful titles.

"That Night. The CEO's Trap. Bound and Caged. His Tender Touch," Howard tone became numb. "The Mafia Boss' Canary. Under My Master's Gaze... and finally, How to Seduce Your Boss."

While Danny was smiling like an idiot having his favourite author signing his books, Howard couldn't help but draw black lines at the ambiguous book titles. What kind of books had Danny been reading? And more importantly, what kind of books were Summer writing. The asexual cafe owner couldn't help but shuddered.

Just when Howard was going to question the two, a phone call came from Summer's phone. The caller ID read, 'boss' and when the voice sounded on the otherside of the call, Howard caught bits and pieces of what he recognised as Ashley's along with Tobias' voices.

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Ashley : Summer, I need you to find everything you can on a Candice Millers, a stripper for Club Tropic. I PROMISE ITS NOT WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE!

Tobias : Come on Summer! Help the guy out!

Summer : I see. I see. I know what my next book will be about, I already have a title! The Stripper's Bodyguard!

Ashley : NO!

Summer : Okay, I was just joking. So I assume this is going to be the end of my day-off isn't it?

Ashley : I'm sorry. Really I am, but the numbers don't stop coming in.

Summer : Fine. Leave it me, I'll get you this girl's phone number, her mother's maiden name and which type of tampons she uses when it's her time of the month.