“But why would a brilliant woman with the professional world at her feet risk everything to sell data on the black market?” Cooper caught Riley’s gaze. Even at this late hour, her eyes were clear and alert. “I’m not convinced that money was the motive. She makes a good salary.”

“Well, let’s see,” Riley leaned against the desk. “Other motives could be blackmail, addiction, espionage, or doing it for love.”

“Or doing it for the public good,” Cooper said softly.

Riley shot him an appraising look. “That actually makes a lot of sense. It fits with her personality.”

Murphy slapped the desk with his palm. “She’s the female version of Edward Snowden!”

A slow flush burned in Cooper’s chest when he glimpsed the respect in Riley’s gaze. “We don’t know if that’s the motive. I’m going to pin down Harry Owen. He claimed that he didn’t know her.”

Riley raised a brow. “You heading over there now?”

“Yeah. I want to get him while he’s tired and upset.” Harry Owen had been through a lot today. He might be at his breaking point.

A perfect time to get information from him.

“Do you need a wingman?” Riley asked with a gleam in her eye.

Murphy flashed her a look of surprise. She wasn’t in GIS.

“Let me check with the Staff Sergeant.” Cooper was not going to start his new job by pissing off his boss.

Pearson answered on the first ring.

“This is Ellis. I’m with Riley and Murphy. They discovered that the suspects uploaded a computer virus onto Mel Owen’s computer to steal Harry Owen’s data.”

“Jesus Christ. What do you think he has on his laptop?”

“That’s what I want to find out. I’m on my way to his hotel. The thing is, Lamond is on patrol searching for Joey Roberts.”

“Don’t go on your own. You need someone to cover your ass.” Not that they were concerned that Harry Owen would be violent. But they knew how smart and how powerful he was.

“Riley said she’d come. You okay with that?”

“Riley? Sure, if she isn’t needed anywhere else.”

“No one’s called her in yet.”

“Call me if Harry Owen talks. I’m going to have to micro manage this with the government and the media.”

“Will do.” Cooper strode back to the FIS lab. “Riley, come on. Pearson has given his blessing.” He was about to say, “so you can cover my ass.”

But stopped just in time. Somehow, he knew he wouldn’t be able to say it the way Pearson had.

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

1:42 a.m.

It was almost two a.m. Seven in the morning in Italy.