“Honestly, I’m with Iris on this one,” Delilah said. “She was in the room when Cal told them anyone going in wouldn’t get back out. She’s counting on it.”
Cal nodded once. “It’s decided. We’re headed to Walter’s,” he said, pointing at the camera. “Get that GPS patched in and shut down that security system. Call the cops and fill them in, then link them to my phone.
“On it. Whiskey, out,” she said, and the screen went blank.
Everyone started talking at once until Cal whistled, and the room went silent.
“I’m coming with you,” Iris said.
“Yes, you are, but only because we’re abandoning the center. However, you’ll be waiting at the motel with Delilah while the rest of the team heads to Walter’s.”
“Cal, no,” she started to say, but he slashed his hand through the air.
“Listen to me, Iris. You are not qualified in any way to be part of this operation, and I can’t be worried about keeping you safe while trying to save the woman you so obviously care about.”
“You can say it. I love her, and that’s okay.”
Cal held up his hand. “It’s wonderful, but that doesn’t change the fact that your only experience with criminalsis from behind a keyboard. When I have Bec safely in hand, Delilah will bring you over. Okay?”
She could see no point in arguing, so she nodded once. After grabbing her tablet, she followed the rest of the team to the elevator, which they rode in silence other than Cal barking orders into his phone as they descended. There was no doubt in her mind that Bec was leading those guys back to Walter’s. She had every intention of being there to take her in her arms when she was freed and then never let her go.
* * *
BEC WATCHED ASthe lights of Sinlis Park came into view. She was one step closer to making her way back to Iris. She just had to hold on a little bit longer. The car slowed as they pulled into town, and she took slow, deep breaths so she wouldn’t overplay her hand. She had to get them into that house and get downstairs to the lab before they realized they couldn’t get back out.
“You better not even think about double-crossing me,” RL said from the driver’s seat as he turned right and drove down the block where Walter’s house sat. He drove around the block several times as all four craned their necks, looking for anything unusual.
“I have no reason to,” she promised. “The sooner I make the virus, the sooner we can part ways. No one wants that more than I do.” Bec said it like she believed they were going to let her go once she finished the virus. She wasn’t naive. She knew they wouldn’t, so she needed to lead these guys to Secure One’s doorstep. She could have hit the panic button much sooner, but she had no idea how long the battery lasted on them. She needed to wait until Secure One had the best chance of finding her.It still surprised her how well Secure One and Secure Watch worked together to protect their clients. Whether you needed cybersecurity, personal security or both, they were up for the job. Thank God for that, or this whole thing could have ended differently.
Still could, Bec. Don’t get ahead of yourself.
With the reminder fresh in her mind, she took a deep breath.Play it cool, Bec. “If you drive around this block one more time, it’s going to be you who looks suspicious,” she said, hoping not to rile him up but to make him stop and think.
“She’s right,” the guy in the passenger seat said. “We either commit or get out of here. I haven’t seen anything out of place.”
The ringleader slowed the car and parked at the end of the block with Walter’s house in the middle. He turned to the back seat and pointed at one of the guys. “You stay with her.” Then he looked at the other two guys. “We do a sweep on foot. There’s too much light here for the night vision goggles, so stay alert.”
They exited the vehicle quietly with the dome light disabled so no one could see inside. When they disappeared, Bec worried her lip between her teeth as she waited. What made her the most nervous were the deadly assault weapons they still carried. If Secure One was waiting for them, someone could get hurt, and it would be on her conscience since she had led them here. At least they were familiar with Walter’s house. There was less chance of an ambush when you knew the property than when you didn’t, right?
“Bring her in,” the radio on her guard’s shirt squawked,making her jump. “Remind her if she tries anything, we know where her friend lives.”
Iris.
Bec swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I’m not going to try anything. I’m not in the mood to die tonight. I just want to make your virus and get out. I didn’t sign up for this when I took the job.”
The guard climbed out, making a show of slinging his rifle around as he walked to the back of the SUV and opened the hatch, motioning her out. He kept his gun pointed at her as she climbed out, and then he prodded her along with it. They stayed in the shadows, but she still couldn’t help but think they better hope no one was looking out a window.
Once they were around the back of the house, the ringleader let them in the back door while everyone filed in, guns pointed as they cleared the house. It was empty, which relieved and distressed her at the same time. Then again, maybe Secure One wouldn’t move in until they were locked inside the house, assuring them no one could get the jump on them.
“You,” RL said, pointing at her guard. “Outside on patrol. If you see any cars, report back immediately.” He reached for the door, and Bec held her breath. What happened next? Did an alarm go off when they tried to leave but couldn’t? Did the door refuse to unlock?
It took her more than a second to register that he’d not only opened the door and let the guy out, but no alarm had sounded when he opened or closed it. What the hell? Something wasn’t right, so she had to hope and pray that her panic button had transmitted her location.
“You. Downstairs,” RL said, motioning her downthe stairs as soon as he flicked on his flashlight. It was treacherous, but she managed to get down the stairs.
“I’ll need light if you want me to create a virus.”
“Then you better hope that room doesn’t have windows, or it’s going to be by candlelight,” he growled.
