Edna Curry, Author

   Books where Mystery and Romance hold hands. 

by Edna Curry

 http://www.diskuspublishing.com/ednacurry.html

Paperback ISBN # 1-58495-570-8

download ISBN # 1-58495-063-3

or ebooks available in many formats from:

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Travel agents Jeff and Diane guide a group of computer company executives to exotic Puerto Vallarta, MX and find they are falling in love. While they are in MX, computers go down all over the USA and Jeff is blamed. What really happened behind the scenes? Can Jeff and Diane's love survive a computer virus?

I got the idea for this novel after listening to some of my computer programmer friends insist that they knew what had really happened when a computer virus story hit the headlines.

From: writers@writers-exchange.com (Sandy Cummins:

Read an excerpt:

TRAVELING BUG

Copyright © 2000 By Edna Curry

ISBN 1-58495-063-3

Electronically published in arrangement with the author

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part, by printing, faxing,

E-mail, copying electronically or by any other means without permission of the publisher. For more information contact DiskUs Publishing

http://www.diskuspublishing.com

Chapter One

What is Dad up to? Why the secrecy? The urgent message left on Jeff Banning's answering machine last night had raised more questions than it answered. "I'll be in town for a computer trade show," his father had said. "We must talk business immediately. Say nothing to anyone, and meet my plane."

So, here Jeff was, waiting at the Minneapolis airport window for the arrival of his father's plane from Milwaukee, and dreading it. Two years ago, he'd quarreled with his father and left his family's computer firm to become a tour guide.

Worried, he paid little attention to the noise around him.

He felt wary and resentful because of their quarrel, but he was here. He'd talk business, because he had a large financial interest in Banning Corporation. But he was not getting personally involved!

Jeff watched his father deplane and walk toward him. Vince looked tired and strained his iron-gray hair in disarray as though he'd been running his fingers through it.

They gruffly greeted each other and Jeff reached for his father's carry-on. Falling in with the moving crowd, they walked down the concourse toward the parking lot.

"Did you bring any other luggage?"

Vince shook his head. "Just this one bag. I'll only be here for two days. My assistants brought everything for the booth at the trade show. They'll have it all set up."

"Yes, of course."

A curvaceous, young redhead cut in front of them and hurried through the door to the street.

"Quite a figure," Vince said.

Jeff glanced over to see his father watching the girl swing her lithe body into a waiting taxi and give the driver a wide smile for his help. "Still an eye for the ladies, I see," he said dryly.

"Now, let's not start on that old subject," Vince warned as they reached Jeff's white Mercedes. He took his case while his son unlocked the car door. "I thought we agreed last time not to discuss my new marriage. Getting along will take some serious effort from both of us."

"Sorry." Damn! Jeff walked around his car and got in. Why can't I keep my big mouth shut? I promised not to mention our quarrel over his marriage to Lucille.

Jeff met his father's gaze, feeling remorseful. "It just slipped out." He had his father's stubborn streak and hadn't spoken to him more than a few times since that bitter quarrel. Jeff's mother had died a slow, painful death. A short time later, Vince Banning had brought home Lucille, one of his work associates, announcing they'd just been married. Jeff sighed, remembering the pain and feelings of betrayal that announcement had caused him. Jeff and his father had said hurtful words then that were hard to forgive and forget.

He'd been unable to tolerate working in the same office with his father and Lucille. Too loyal to help their competitors, he'd opted for a change of career.

Vince looked unconvinced at his apology. "I didn't object when you left our firm to become a travel guide, because I knew you needed time to adjust to your mother's death and all the changes. Besides, I thought the traveling would be good experience for you."

Jeff ran a frustrated hand through his hair and nodded. "I know. I guess I didn't deal with your remarriage very well." That was as close to an apology as he could manage. The emotional events that had separated them had left scars that still hurt when touched.

"That was two years ago, Jeff. Let's try to put it behind us. Now, I have something far more serious to worry about than resurrecting old battles. As I told you on the phone last night, both our futures may be at stake."

Jeff stared at his father, then started the car and followed the arrows down the parking ramp to the street. Thankfully, there was little traffic this late, so he could concentrate on what his father was telling him as he headed toward Vince's hotel.

"What's going on back at Banning?"

"Pirates." Vince spat the word out contemptuously. "Our new software is being stolen over the phone lines through our web site almost as soon as we develop it. Without the income from the retail sales of it, we'll soon be in big financial trouble."

Jeff frowned. "Someone inside the company would have to be sending it out, wouldn't they?"

"Exactly. Our security is too tight for them to carry CDs out, so they've managed to get it out this way."

"What about our security ID trail? Can't you trace who was on-line at the time or who downloaded it?"

Vince's mouth twisted mirthlessly. "We tried that. No go. Whoever is doing it evidently knows how to remove that information."

Jeff whistled. "So, he has to be well versed in our system."

"Exactly," Vince repeated, his face morose.

"But who? I thought you had most of the same trustworthy crew?"

"I wish I knew. We have some new employees since you left. Several of the older guys and I have figured out how it's being done. Now, I need a plan to stop it and fast. I don't know who else I can trust for this job. I must have a solution soon. That's why I need you."

"How about Bill? He's good."

His father shook his head. "I can't have someone working on it at Banning. Everyone knows what everyone else is up to immediately. Even my best and oldest programmers might let slip that they were working overtime on a special project, and the cat would be out of the bag."

A leaden knot formed in Jeff's stomach. He could feel himself being sucked back in. He loved programming and knew, someday, he'd return to it, but not yet. The pain of working with his father and Lucille after their betrayal of his mother was too fresh. "But, Dad, I've just gotten started here. I can't leave, now."

"I don't want you to leave or come back to Milwaukee. At least not right now. I can slip away to consult with you here easier. My office wouldn't even know when I'm out of town. I often take an afternoon off. Flying here and returning by the next morning won't even be noticed."

"Yes, I suppose that'll work."

"You moved your computer to your apartment here, didn't you? It's all set up, ready to go?"

"Of course. I still spend a lot of time at the keyboard. But this is no small assignment.…"

Vince touched his arm. "Don't you understand? Banning Corporation could go bankrupt if I don't find a way to stop this drain. We'd lose everything your mother and I worked for years to build, and you too, Jeff. Don't forget the years of work you contributed yourself."

Jeff swallowed and nodded. All through college, he'd spent every spare minute with his nose in a manual or his eyes glued to a screen. It had always been more important to him than running around. "Yes, but...." The air crackled with tension as their eyes met.

Vince's voice softened. "Do this for me, Son. You're the best programmer I know, and I've got to have the best for this."

Jeff let out his breath. All things considered, he was the most logical person to do this. "Okay." Some of his bitterness ebbed with that decision. Jeff watched the tension ease from his father's face and knew he'd made the right one.

"Good. Let me register at the hotel and drop off my bag. Then I'll fill you in on what we've found so far and what Joe and Bill think you might be able to do."

"And of course, you brought it all with you." It was a statement, not a question, because Jeff already knew the answer. He groaned, then grinned at his father, some of their old camaraderie resurfacing. They both knew Jeff wouldn't be able to resist this challenge.

"What I didn't bring has been shipped and should arrive at your apartment in the morning. Okay? We'll put on the coffeepot and work for a few hours."

"Tonight? How about in the morning?"

Vince shook his head. "I'm due at the show in the morning and both days will be very busy ones. I've got to fly back for an important dinner meeting in Milwaukee after that."

"And, besides, I might change my mind?" Jeff glanced at his father. He had a feeling his father's tight schedule was planned to rush him into a commitment. But it didn't matter. If his father needed his help badly enough to put aside the hard feelings that had separated them, the least he could do was meet him halfway. He had believed in Banning Corporation enough to sink a lot of his own money into it, as well as his inheritance from his mother, which had been a considerable chunk of cash. Dad knows I have good reason to help him win this one.

"I recognize that excited gleam in your eye. You can't resist a programming puzzle or a good battle." Vince tossed him a relieved grin.

"How do you know I wasn't thinking of some woman?"

His father grinned at him. "I know you."

At Jeff's apartment, Vince looked around the sparsely furnished room approvingly. "Nice place, Jeff. Glad you're getting settled okay." Sitting on the brown leather sofa, he spread the papers he'd brought with him over the coffee table.

Jeff made coffee. Then they spent several hours going over the details of how, where and when each bit of evidence revealing the pirating had turned up.

At last Jeff stood up and stretched. "You've got to get some sleep. I'll drive you back to your hotel."

"I suppose." They walked out to the car.

Jeff pulled out into the late-night traffic.

"We'll need a reason to be suddenly calling each other. We must have complete secrecy on this. I don't know who at Banning Corporation might have remembered where you moved or if I was followed today."

"Followed? Dad, you're being melodramatic."

Vince shook his gray head, a sober look on his face. "I mean it. Promise you won't discuss this. With anyone."

"Of course." Jeff stared at his father, wondering if the financial pressures were getting to him. He certainly looked tired and older. On the other hand, there was a lot of money involved, enough that this could become very nasty. A chill slid down his spine. Was his father in danger?

His father's face lit up with inspiration. "I've got an idea. Banning has a good-sized travel budget. We need to try a new travel agency for our annual trip anyway. Why not the one you're at?"

Jeff chewed his lip thoughtfully, then nodded. "I agree-scheduling a Banning employees trip with Special Tours would make a good cover. Can Banning afford that trip for everyone this year?"

Vince shrugged wearily. "Not really. Though we've always taken the Banning top brass on a nice vacation as their yearly bonus. I think we have to keep everything as close to normal as possible. Rumors of financial problems would cost us much more in lost business than the trip."

Jeff nodded as he stopped in front of the hotel. "I suppose you're right about that. Okay. You call my new boss, Alice, and schedule it, but tell her you want me to be in charge of the trip. That should do it."

"Thanks, Son. I knew I could count on you."

"Take care. I'll be in touch."

***