“A sticky note on my screen.It said, ‘traitors die’.That’s the last thing I remember.”
“We need to take them now,” said the EMT.“We’ve got patrol going with us to watch their rooms.”
“Thanks, man.Let’s see if we can get some prints on anything in the place.”
Covering their faces once again, they walked through both houses, searching for fingerprints or anything left behind.Ben stepped toward one of the desks and his foot hit something small.Bending down, he picked up the plastic object, staring at it.
“What is that?” asked Kiel.
“I’m not sure,” he frowned.Wyatt took it from him, rolling it in his hand.A female officer behind him chuckled.
“It’s the plastic tip to a high heel,” she laughed.“Someone is probably pissed.Their heel is going to be making a lot of noise and sliding everywhere.I hate when that happens.”The men looked at her, then at one another.
“None of them were in heels today,” said Ben.
“No, they weren’t,” nodded Wyatt.“I think we need to get to our appointment.”
“Good morning, Marilyn,” said TJ.
“Morning, TJ.How is everything going?Are you guys getting work done in between the fun,” she chuckled.
“You know we are.Oh, I forgot to tell you that these guys came by to see you the other day about hackers and credit card fraud.”She stilled, trying not to look worried.
“Oh?Who were they?” she asked casually.
“Not sure.They were good though.They picked up on some stuff happening with our own systems.They said they’d come back but they complained about our receptionist and she said she thinks they were coming by today.Maybe they called or something.They wanted to speak with you.”
“Really?Well, it won’t happen today,” she said nonchalantly.“I’ve got meetings at the capitol and then have errands to run.”
“But you just got here?I have some things to review with you,” he said watching her stand and put her laptop back in her bag.
“Take care of it TJ.I hired you because you’re good at what you do.Be good at what you do and take care of it.”
“But, Marilyn,” he started.
“I said take care of it!” she yelled.He jumped back, ready to cry at her harsh tone.She’d never spoken to any of them like that.The entire room turned toward her office door.
“I-I’m sorry,” he said.“Of course.”
“I’m sorry, TJ.I’m stressed about some things, that’s all.You guys take care of this today.Let the team know they can buy whatever they like on the cards they find.We’ll reimburse the users later.”
“Wow, really?” he smirked.
“Really.I give you permission.I’ll call later and check in with all of you.Tomorrow is Friday, give the team the day off.My treat.”
“Thank you!That’s awesome.We’ve been working really hard.”
“I know, I know,” she said walking out of her office.
“What should I tell those guys if they show up?I mean, they were kind of scary.Big and serious looking,” he said.She stilled and turned toward him.
“They didn’t give names?”
“They might have but honestly I didn’t pay attention.I know they said they were sent by Admiral Peters and General Billings.”She waited for the elevator not saying anything.When the doors opened, she turned to him and nodded.
“I’ll call you later.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
