Jayne took her comm and looked at the screen. There was a spot to withdraw the contract, but when she pressed it, nothing happened. “This isn’t good.”
Stunned, she handed it off to Hadrian. He cursed as he attempted the same thing she had.
And failed just as miserably.
Hauk cleared his throat and held his hand out. “Since we’re all participating in a futile exercise, may I?”
“Sure.” Hadrian gave it to him, then looked to Jayne. “If this is like a jar of jam, and that bastard gets it to work, I’ll scream.”
She burst out laughing at his unexpected comment.
Hauk snorted and handed the comm back to Mordacity. “No need in straining our hearing. Damn thing’s busted.”
“All right. That’s it.” She dialed for Jinx who answered so fast that it made her jump.
“Where the hell are you?”
“Good to hear from you, too.”
“Don’t play this shit, Jayne. I have your sister climbing a wall and threatening body parts I’d like to keep. You have completely vanished off every bit of tracking software and hardware I have. If Syn’s the one who gave it to you, I’m going forhisballs.”
“Syn had nothing to do with it.” Not entirely true since he’d been the one to come up with the address, but . . . “So, let’s keep everyone anatomically correct, okay?”
“Jayne–”
“I’m fine, Jinx. Really, but I have a weird question for you.”
“Of course, you do. What is it?”
“Remember when you told me that I could have the warrant withdrawn?”
“I remember telling you it would be next to impossible.”
“Yeah well, I’m standing here with the woman who took it out . . . supposedly, but it won’t let her withdraw it.”
Jinx went silent for a second. “What?”
Jayne handed her link to Mordacity. “Tell him.”
“Hi whoever this is. According to the paperwork, I’m the one who did it, but I didn’t do it. It shows up on my link that I could, in theory, release the contract. But the button isn’t working.”
“You had nothing to do with this?”
“No.” Mordacity swallowed hard. “I have nothing against Hadrian, and I don’t know Jayne. And I’m definitely not dumb enough to take out a contract on someone who has a brother who would beat me senseless and leave me dead for it.”
“So, Hedlund, what’s your bright idea now?” Jayne asked.
Jinx really didn’t appreciate her sarcastic use of the famous scientist. “I think you need to tell me where you are.”
“Not until we figure this out.”
“Jayne . . . stop a minute and think this through. Who would have the ability to do what you’re telling me?”
“C.I. Syn?”
Hadrian rolled his eyes while Hauk snorted.
Jinx cleared his throat impatiently. “A techspert wouldn’t have the clearance.”
