Addy’s hand paused midair from petting Bear. “I’m guessing all that data was stored in the files that were deleted.”
Cam frowned. “Then we’d best hope your tech has come up with a backup of your data. Otherwise it’ll take some time to track down every cable failure I find. And with each passing hour, it could mean those guns could be delivered to a man who clearly has no respect for life, and people will die.”
Chapter 11
ADDY WAS GLADthey’d figured out her destination on the ill-fated afternoon, but what good did it do them if she couldn’t come up with additional information? None. That’s what. And she wanted to pound on her throbbing head to make her brain work right.
How were they going to locate Razo if she never remembered? They had to stop him before he unleashed his big plan, whatever that might be. Right now it was looking like cutting cables so he could move the miniguns, but she couldn’t even be sure of that. Or of what he planned to do with the guns. She needed more information, and she needed it now.
“I’m going to call Harris to see if Fitz has fixed the backup issue.” Phone still in hand, she made the call to her supervisor. Tension clawed at her stomach, although having her big love buddy on her lap was helping to keep her calm. Even if he did weigh eighty pounds and was crushing her legs.
“You still at the hospital?” Harris asked by way of greeting.
Addy pressed the phone against her ear as the connection was glitchy. “Discharged and at the safe house.”
Kiley and Sean entered the room and settled in the seating area. They locked their focus on her as if questioning if she remembered them. She hadn’t recognized Kiley last night when she came to image Addy’s computer, or Sean at the loading dock. Seeing them again hadn’t jogged her memory. She didn’tenjoy being the subject of their study and tried to ignore it as she updated Harris on her visit to Rob.
When she finished, she took a long breath before continuing. “We desperately need information. I’m hoping Fitz has located a backup of my files.”
“He’s still working a technical glitch.”
Of course. Nothing was easy in an investigation. “With your permission, I’ll have one of the RED team come by to help him resolve the issue.” She looked at Mack for his approval.
He nodded, but Harris didn’t reply. Addy could easily imagine her expression. A mixture of dislike for bringing in outsiders, and resignation that it had to be done to expedite their investigation and save lives.
“Time is of the essence,” Addy reminded Harris, not caring if she might be stepping on her supervisor’s toes. “We only have four days to find out how he’s shipping the guns.”
Harris let out a rush of air. “I’ll tell Fitz to expect someone.”
“Thank you. I know it’s hard to give an outsider access to our files.”
“If you only knew. But it’s the right thing to do.” Addy could hear a frown in her supervisor’s tone. “Did you get doctor’s clearance to be working?”
“Not exactly. He wants to see me back in a week before releasing me for active duty. His main concern is my using a weapon while I have some dizziness and headaches. But I can still work the investigation from the safe house where no weapons will be required.”
“So he cleared you for light duty?” Harris’s tone had sharpened.
Her voice grated on Addy. Usually, she appreciated that Harris was detailed and by the book, but right now she wished the woman would cut her some slack. Still, Addy had to give an answer. “No.”
“Then consider yourself on official leave until I receive somethingin writing from the doctor telling me you can return to duty.”
“But the investigation,” Addy cried out, bringing Bear’s ears perking up. “It’s okay, buddy,” she cooed in a low tone so her boss wouldn’t pick up on it.
“The RED team and I can handle it.” Harris took a long breath. “I can’t be put in a position to violate wage-and-hour regulations.”
Addy appreciated that, yet she had to find the person who’d tried to kill her and put Razo behind bars before he unleashed more terror. “And if hypothetically I continued to work the investigation on my own time, and I needed something from you?”
“I’m forming an official task force to facilitate communication. Small group. Just me, Warren, and the RED team. They’ll try to take over the investigation anyway, so why not let them do their thing? I’ll designate Deputy Jordan as lead.” She paused for a moment. “To that end, I want to talk to him if he’s there.”
“Can we do it on speaker?”
“I’d rather not.”
“But—”
“You’re on leave,” Harris stated firmly. “Please put him on the phone.”
Addy stifled a grumble and looked at Mack. “Harris wants to talk to you. She put me on leave, so I can’t be included in the conversation.”
