“Yeah. We don’t get snow days like college professors,” Angus drawled. “Dana wasn’t feeling well, so she and Wolfe stayed home.”
More likely Wolfe wanted to provide backup should Jethro need it. “Thanks, Angus. I’ll see you around suppertime.” He put down the phone. Could he just order in? That would work.
Those stupid videos were driving him nuts. They were obviously doctored, and if anybody could figure out how, it was Brigid. She was the best computer expert in the entire DHS, but she refused to work for any unit but Deep Ops in the HDD. She could write her own ticket at this point and she loved the team. As well as Raider. Jethro needed to find the time to purchase them an engagement present. Pippawould help him.
His phone buzzed and he snatched it off the counter. “Hanson.”
“Where are your two nameless friends who got caught in the explosion?” Agent Rutherford yelled.
Jethro winced and pulled the phone away from his ear. “Must you yell? Learn to control yourself, Agent,” he said calmly, his mind flipping through the strategic venues the twins might’ve sought.
“I am going to arrest you for obstruction, you asshole,” Rutherford snapped.
Jethro finally began to enjoy the snow day. “That might be a good time, considering my attorney would then sue you for false arrest, or whatever it is you Yanks call it.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair. The twins wouldn’t use his phone in case the government had it tapped, which was more than likely. That was fine. He didn’t mind the authorities knowing he thought Fletcher was setting him up. “I haven’t seen my friends since last night atthe hospital.”
“How about you tell me their names?” Rutherford said.
“I can’t hear you,” Jethro said, tapping his finger on the phone. “I think it’s the storm.” He ended the call and immediately called Wolfe.
Wolfe answered on the third ring. “What’s up?”
“Can you cover Gemma and Trudy for me? I have to run an errand.”
* * * *
The smell of coffee had Gemma wandering out of the master bedroom in yoga pants and a sweatshirt after brushing her teeth and pulling her thick hair into a ponytail. She stopped short at seeing Dana sitting in the breakfast nook, typing away on her laptop. “Morning.”
Dana looked over her shoulder and her eyes focused. “Hi there. Coffee’s on.”
Gemma gratefully moved for the coffeepot and poured herself a large cup, immediately taking a gulp. “Bless you.”
“You’re welcome,” Dana said, her blond hair around her shoulders and her face a little pale. “I actually made a second pot because I figured you couldn’t drink the slop Jethro made. It was thick as mud.” She shook her head. “Aren’t Brits supposed to like tea with milk and really weak coffee?”
“I’m not sure.” Gemma pivoted and sat at the table, her hands warming around the mug. “So, whereisJethro?” Heat filled her face, burning her skin.
Dana pressed her lips together as if she was trying not to laugh, but her pretty green eyes danced. “He’s running an errand. Wolfe is shoveling your walkway and drive. So it’s just us girls if you want to have some girl talk.” She lost the fight and her face lit up with a smile. “You look so guilty.”
“I’m not guilty.” Gemma blew on her coffee. When was the last time she’d had a friend? The last time she had girl talk? She couldn’teven remember.
Dana shut her laptop and reached for a glass of water. “You don’t have to tell me, but if you want to talk, I’m here.”
Gemma took another swallow. “Fine. Jethro and I, well, last night…”
Dana snorted. “You put thatso succinctly.”
Gemma chuckled.
Dana leaned toward her. “I have to ask. Is 007 as good in the sack as he seems?”
Gemma coughed out coffee and wiped her mouth. “He’s better. There is no way 007 could touch the gifts possessed by Jethro Hanson,” she confided. “Like unreal and outof this world.”
Dana drank her water and put down her glass. “I’m so gladto hear that.”
Gemma pursed her lips, thinking about it. “You know, I figured with the whole Brit thing, he’d be all gentle andask questions.”
“Not so gentle?” Dana asked.
“Thank goodness no,” Gemma admitted. “And that man didn’t need to ask one question. It was like we’d been together forever. Better than that. Like it was exciting and the first time, but he had a manual to my body that I didn’t evenknow existed.”
