“Either answer the question or forfeit,Cyb3rmoon.”
Silence.
“That, my moonchild, means that you forfeit. Which means Iwillbe coming for you. You are involved in something I don’t much like, in APS territory, which I suspect—although I have no proof—may be a threat to women, although the danger is not exclusive to them. You are my key to finding out.”
“You won’t ever find me, Shadow. I am quite aware your code designation within your establishment is ‘Tracker.’ However, it is difficult in the extreme to track that which is determined not to be found.”
“I admire your confidence, misplaced though it is. Why won’t you come to me and let me help you? Why go through this charade?”
“What fun would that be? Perhaps I have reasons for not wanting you or your organization breathing down my neck, lover. Secrets should remain just that, don’t you think?
“How well do you handle punishment spankings, baby?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had one. Although erotic spankings are quite yummy, are they not? Ahh, perhaps someday. Now, if we are finished, I need to get back to work. Places to go, people to see, and all that jazz.”
“The hunt is on, my moonchild.”
“The hunt is on. Perhaps I will give you a tiny clue in the very near future as to where I can be found. Then again, maybe I won’t. As Patrick Swayze said in Dirty Dancing, ‘Nobody puts Baby in a corner.’ Being pinned down and hemmed in is not my jam.”
“I’ll see you soon,Cyb3rmoon. Count on it.”
“And I can’twait, lover. I can’t wait.”
?ω?ω?ω?
Indi stood at the back of the SUV, door open, and a large to-go cup of coffee in her hands. “Nectar of the gods,” she groaned as she took a sip. “This weather isn’t exactly conducive to staying awake either.” The morning had dawned drizzly, the sky laden with fat, rain-filled clouds that threatened a downpour soon. “Maybe I’ll take a snooze until we get home.”
The Infinity operatives were leaving to head back to Tallahassee, the six a.m. hour meaning they would escape the worst of rush hour traffic as they headed north on I-75. Hugs and cheek kisses were exchanged once again before they climbed into their vehicle, windows open to take advantage of the fresh air as they shut their doors.
“We’ll let you know when we’re back at Infinity headquarters,” said Dani, who was driving. “We should be back by about ten, ten-thirty—eleven-thirty, if we stop for breakfast—unless we get caught by an accident or something. I shudder to think what the top of my desk looks like, so we’ll probably head straight into the office.”
The corners of Drew’s green-hazel eyes crinkled as she leaned down to talk to Indi through her rear window one last time. “Keep the singles safety club safe in Tallahassee, my friend, while I make sure things stay ball-and-chain free in west-central Florida.”
Indi burst out laughing. “Next time, I’ll demonstrate some Sambo moves for you and your crew. We can never be too careful with all those out-of-control manacles on the loose.” Drew chuckled as she stepped back. As Dani put the vehicle into drive, the Infinity operative looked intensely into Drew’s eyes as she seemed to come to some decision, lavender meeting green-hazel, a small, secretive smile tilting the corners of her mouth.
“Take care, lover. Remember: sometimes the games are the best part of the hunt. Until we meet again.” The SUV pulled away from the APS complex as awareness sharpened Drew’s gaze andshe looked after the vehicle, a dawning comprehension settling over her face.
“What was that all about?” asked Bryn curiously, staring at the back of the disappearing SUV. “What games,broki? Whathunt? What did Indi mean?”
An ominous yet playful expression crossed Drew’s handsome countenance as she slowly smiled, turning to go into the APS complex with the rest of the management team when the Infinity operatives had disappeared from sight.
“The minute I know for sure, cuz, you’ll be the first one I tell. But don’t be a bit surprised when you find outThe Shadowis tracking prey. Important prey. Capturing my quarry inthishunt will mean finding answers to the illegal body brokering and trafficking currently happening in the Tampa Bay area. And one small golden-haired, lavender-eyed femme—who is far more than what she appears to be—may hold the key to it all.”
Epilogue
Sitting in front of the screen of her high-end laptop in Styx, Drew’s fingers flew across the keyboard, launching web search after web search, looking for any information on the woman who was currently the focus of her laser attention.
Nothing. Fuck.
What sucked more than anything? When a data analyst like Brielle Patton, who was obviously as brilliant as Trillian Dacanay, was able to hide you so well, even individuals likeThe Shadowwere unable to find you.
Drew turned her attention to learning more about the illegal body brokering and trafficking operation in Tampa Bay. There were more than a few players at the top of that food chain, although the most successful body broker appeared to be a man by the name of Fox Gastin. Gastin ran a considerably large company called CareLabs, which stated its mission was to “connect body donors with researchers who were advancing the science of medicine.”
Sure they were.If that was to be believed, Drew had some organs she could sell.
Interestingly enough, Gastin had apparently run afoul of the law on several occasions, although he had always managed to wiggle his way out of any charges against him. Body brokering was largely unregulated, with a near-total lack of state and federal oversight of the body industry.Lovely. None of the other “body donation” businesses Drew found in her rapid search looked as though they were as large or as successful as Gastin’s firm was, however. She’d have Trill and the Geek Crew do a more thorough investigation later that morning.
What was promising was that CareLabs listed their physical address in a medical complex in North St. Petersburg, about a twenty-five-minute drive from Whimsy.Bingo. If someone wanted to keep their eye on the facility, a handful of small, unobtrusive motels dotted the area immediately surrounding the complex, as well as a few car rental places. Which meant that it would also be much easier for Drew and her team to monitor the zone around CareLabs as well, keeping their eyes peeled for anyone else with an unusual interest in the body donation lab.
