As Tessa fervently dialed Josh the IT Guy's number, the anticipation of potential revelations grew with each ring. The caller ID, displaying Josh's name, acted as a beacon of hope in her quest for answers. After a few rings, Josh answered in his characteristic casual manner, "Hey Tessa, what's up?"
Without any preamble, Tessa's voice, laden with both urgency and curiosity, cut through the air, "Hey Josh, I need your help with something. I found a mysterious CD, and I have no idea what's on it. Any chance you could check it out for me?"
Josh, ever eager for a tech challenge, responded with enthusiasm, "Sure thing, Tessa. Bring it over, and I'll see what I can do. What's the mystery behind this CD?"
Tessa, opting to keep her response intentionally vague, replied, "Let's just say it's related to a story I'm chasing. I'll be there in a bit."
With a renewed sense of purpose, Tessa gathered the strange CD, the scientific report, and the stack of photos. Exiting her father's study, she embarked on a journey, recognizing that Josh might hold the key to unlocking the digital secrets concealed within the disc. This excursion to Josh the IT Guy's domain marked a crucial step in unraveling the mysteries.
As Tessa briskly stormed out of her father's study, she collided with her mother, who was engrossed in setting the dining table. "Hey T, where are you in a rush to?" her mother inquired, a hint of concern furrowing her brows.
Skipping steps in her haste, Tessa rushed towards the door, offering a quick explanation, "I've got a quick errand to run."
"But what about your dinner?" her mother's voice echoed before the door slammed shut behind Tessa.
From outside, her voice lingered, "I'll be back soon, pack mine, please?"
The subsequent sounds were drowned by the roar of an engine revving and tires screeching as Tessa sped out of the compound. Glancing at the passenger seat beside her, she observed the envelope containing crucial information resting within her bag.
Inquiring about the specific case, Josh, despite his considerable intelligence, displayed a lapse in memory. "Which case?" he asked, prompting Tessa to lower her tone, adding an element of secrecy.
"The Shelly one," she whispered, as if unveiling a clandestine truth.
Josh, proud of his soundproofed space, boasted, "You know my place is soundproof, right? It's one of those things I installed way before I even finished high school. You are staring at a protege right here, madam," he said, emphasizing his intellectual prowess.
Asserting her boundaries, Tessa responded sternly, "First of all, don't call me madam again. Secondly, are you going to take this and play it for me or not?" Tessa's demeanor shifted to a more business-like tone as she extended the CD toward Josh.
With a casual acceptance, Josh stretched out his hand, ready to receive the mysterious merchandise. "Fine...fine. Hand over the merchandise," he declared, a playful glint in his eyes as he prepared to delve into the technical intricacies of the CD.
"Pretty old if you ask me. Wouldn't play on a normal DVD player as you can, it's got scratches and all. Lucky for you, my DVD player comes with a patch," Josh grinned.
As Tessa watched Josh get to work, a myriad of emotions played across her face — a blend of anticipation, anxiety, and a lingering determination to unveil the truth that had eluded her for so long.
Meanwhile, Josh, with an air of nonchalance, inspected the CD as if it were a routine task. The atmosphere in the room crackled with a curious energy, as if the answer to a long-standing mystery was on the verge of revelation.
Josh, now in his element, gestured for Tessa to take a seat. The room, though cluttered with technology, exuded an odd charm that spoke of a bachelor's lifestyle. Unopened takeout containers mingled with cables and computer peripherals, creating an environment where the digital realm seamlessly blended with the tangible.
"Let's see what's in here,"