Page 47 of Spock’s Snare

“You were thinking it loud enough.”

Hawk’s attention shifts between me and Chloe’s retreating figure. If he notices anything, he has the sense not to comment.

“Everything’s been quiet,” he says. “Crew’s finished up for the day.”

I nod, forcing my attention back to the reason we’re here. “Good. We’ll get the cameras installed before it gets dark.”

Rush opens one of his saddlebags and pulls out the equipment Spark gave him. I move to help, but my gaze drifts toward the entrance where Chloe disappeared.

One ride across the highway wasn’t nearly enough. When I take her back to her truck, I’m taking the long way.

Rush unzips the padded equipment bag and starts handing out cameras, mounting brackets, and boxes of screws.

“Hawk, take the east side,” he says. “Spock, you want the front or the back?”

“The front.” I take three cameras from him. “I want a clear view of every vehicle that pulls onto the property.”

Hawk studies the side of the building. “I can mount one high enough to cover the alley and most of the rear lot.”

“Make sure you get the gate,” Rush tells him. “Anyone coming in that way should pass directly beneath it.”

We split up and get to work.

I climb the ladder and mount the first camera near the front corner of the building. From there, it has a clear view of the driveway, parking area, and main entrance. Anyone entering or leaving the property will be recorded. It covers the blind spots the cameras the prospects put up the day before missed.

I install the second camera above the construction office door before I take the third inside. The office is little more than a tin can. A battered desk sits in one corner beneath a window, surrounded by stacks of paperwork, rolled blueprints, and material samples.

I choose a spot near the ceiling that provides a view of the door, window, and desk.

“What are you doing?”

I glance over my shoulder and find Rush leaning against the doorframe, watching me tighten the mounting bracket.

“What does it look like I’m doing?”

“Installing a camera where you can spy on Chloe.”

I stare at him.

He lifts both hands. “Just pointing out how she might see it.”

“The office is a logical target. If someone is sabotaging her projects, they may come in here looking for plans, schedules, contracts, or employee information.”

“I know.” He steps inside and studies the camera’s placement. “But Chloe might not like knowing you can watch what she’s doing in her office.”

“I’m not hiding it from her.”

Rush arches an eyebrow.

“I plan to walk Chloe through the property and show her the location of every camera,” I explain. “If she balks at having one in here, I’ll take it down.”

“That sounds almost reasonable.”

“Fuck off.”

His grin widens. “I’m just trying to keep you from screwing things up with your woman before she agrees she’s your woman.”

I finish securing the bracket and climb down. “Chloe isn’t my woman.”