Moon Stalk

Chapter Seven

I looked at my computer and watched as it became corrupt, erasing every email, document and folder within it's content. Looking at my niece's face, I already knew the same happened to her.

Jimmy had attached a hack to the email. Upon being opened, it must have wiped our emails entirely...

Including the transcripts of the voicemails left by Jimmy.

He's completely fucked me over...

Looking over at my niece, I wasn't shocked to see tears rolling down her face at the sight of her friend (as far as she knows) and roommate, with her throat slashed wide open. Standing, I made my way to her, wrapping my arms around her shaking figure. Stroking her wavy brown hair, I stayed firm, cursing Jimmy a thousand times in my mind.

I won't let you break her again, Boyle. Not this time.

"Okay I think we're closing now. Gabe already dismissed any clients I had today and after that, I don't think we could focus on anything.  We'll have a good day tomorrow but as for today, I think we should close early. Did you finish your paperwork?" I asked Margaret, making sure all the necessary things were dealt with for today.

"Y-yeah I'm almost done." She shakily answered me.

"Good. I'm going to let Gabe know while you finish the last of it. Afterwards call for me and I'll input it into the system before we leave. Ok hon?"

"Ok Auntie." Still in shock, I watched as she lowered herself back into her chair. After making sure she was okay, I trotted back to the main office.

"Gabe!"

"Yes ma'am? I'm just about to check the email system-"

"STOP!" I screamed at him, and as I hardly ever raise my voice, it caused an immediate response.

"D-doc?" He stuttered at me and my unnerved scream.

"Please tell me you didn't open ANY emails."

"N-no miss. There's an unopened email from Mr. Boyle but that's as far as I got. Is everything okay?"

"Do NOT open that email. There's a virus and it wiped all the emails on both my personal computer and Margaret's phone. Not only that but an image of Margaret's now deceased roommate."

"Jeezus. Is she okay? Poor thing..." Gabe had his famous 'mother hen' look, as I call it, in place.

"She's heartbroken and in shock, as you may be able to guess. I'm waiting for her to finish the paperwork to begin work here and then I'll input it into our system. After that, as we don't have any clients today now, I'm closing early. Tomorrow we can start fresh but it's been an exhausting, draining and terrifying day."

"Agreed. Well let her know about the meet up for the party if you can find the time. Otherwise it's really not a huge deal, especially with recent... happenings."

"Of course. And when were you thinking? And who all will be there?"

"Ah well, I was thinking maybe 4 at the bar across town? Blowout BBQ and Liquors? And other than the other customers just us three and Laurence if she wants to, though she doesn't seem like the drinking type."

"No I physically can not invite her. Remember, she's a recovering alcoholic. That would be like bringing a recovering druggie to a drug house. Not a good mix or a good outcome."

I remember getting those random calls in the night from her or friends. It was so difficult watching my big sister do that to herself... all because of that bastard Jimmy. She was distraught that her only daughter was being abused that her only form of comfort came from the bottom of a bottle.