Page 77 of Wicked Rush

Chapter Twenty-One

The day had passed with few words between Lars and Braelynn. He’d pored through the papers, discovering an internal memo on a Bart-Aqua letterhead, naming at least a dozen contacts of interest. Three were dead, each of whom had worked for Emerson Industries and had been members of Altura. Evan McMillan. Cormac O’Malley. Beckett O’Malley. Other names on the list weren’t recognizable to Lars but on a search, he discovered that all the individuals worked for affiliates of Emerson Industries.

Lars recalled Beckett’s recent criminal activities. He’d killed both Evan and his own brother, Cormac. After a failed attempt to plant a virus at Emerson Industries, he’d kidnapped Selby and set fire to Altura. During a final altercation, Garrett had shot and killed him. They’d suspected that he hadn’t been working alone, but the police never caught his accomplices.

After calling in a favor to a NSA contact, Lars was given the sequence and clearance to read the stolen chip. It appeared that Bart-Aqua had indeed been analyzing Braelynn’s initial data. Her discovery, how and where it was found was documented, indexed within the files. Braelynn’s claim that the research was of little use without her knowledge, appeared to be true. With marked notes scattered throughout the files, Lars surmised they’d made no progress in their attempt to develop testing of the theory.

They’d speculated on the protein’s applications but without the samples, which it appeared they didn’t have, they’d been unable to proceed. Although Lars wondered who’d stolen them, her uncle had set plans in motion to put together a search team for the elusive cetacean. It was entirely possible he’d already sent scientists to the location, but given the creature’s ability to remain hidden all these years, he speculated discovering it would be a shot in the dark.

After Lars completed his review of the chip and documents, he texted Garrett one word: HWB614. Garrett’s response had been immediate, calling him. Lars told him about Braelynn and their run in at Bart-Aqua. Garrett planned to call in support from Dean and the feds to meet him at Big Sur so he could collect the research and Braelynn. Lars had insisted Garrett make another review of the security footage that had implicated Braelynn. He’d expressed concern that whoever had stolen it from Emerson Industries might have access to the same high tech chip they’d used to steal it back. With a mole in the organization, it was unsafe to return it.

Several hours later, Garrett contacted Lars, explaining that a more thorough analysis of the video had revealed an anomaly. Although facial recognition software had initially identified Braelynn, further scrutiny had exposed a slight height difference between her and the thief. They’d suspected the intruder, who appeared female, had worn a prosthetic mask.

Lars had cursed at Garrett’s revelation. Dean’s goddamn sloppy investigation of the breach had nearly destroyed Braelynn’s career. Worse, she’d almost been killed, shot at on more than one occasion. Lars had briefly relayed this news to both Seth and Braelynn, then continued on for hours at his desk, searching for answers.

Lars sighed, needing a break from his thoughts. As he set the papers on his desk and went to leave his office, he noted the deafening silence inside his home. He descended the steps, noting that neither Braelynn nor Seth were in the family room or kitchen. He glanced out the solarium, where he found them both staring out onto the sunset.

With its stunning views, the serene sunroom provided a tranquil sanctuary any time of day. Due to the cool temperatures and often foggy coast, Lars frequently kept it closed to the elements, opening the cathedral ceiling windows on warm days. An oversized chestnut-wicker day bed with YinYang-shaped azure-colored cushions added peaceful respite alongside the hot tub. Modern chaises longues lined the edge of the pool.

Seth caught his gaze and crossed the room to join him at the bar. Lars set three glasses onto the counter, aware they had a long conversation ahead of them.

“What’s up?” Seth asked. He’d changed into his swim shorts.

“Garrett’s on his way over tomorrow.” He retrieved a wine opener, sliding the knife up along the neck of the bottle. Slicing away the foil, he peeled it away. He inserted the screw point into the cork and began to twist.

“Hey, I know you’re pissed.” Seth took a seat, glancing to Braelynn. “But dude, I don’t think Braelynn did anything wrong.”

“I don’t disagree.” He sighed. “I’m just frustrated with the whole damn situation. It’s not that I don’t get the deal with clearances. But the video? They fucked up. If she was telling them it wasn’t her, you would have thought they’d take another look at the video. Facial recognition is good but you and I know it can be fooled.”

“It’s kinda shitty if you ask me. Don’t get me wrong. Garrett is always careful, and it did look like her. To be fair, it was Dean’s job to verify it was her.”

“Yeah, but they didn’t question it. After he found out about Uncle Fester, she was done.”

“Garrett doesn’t fuck around, you know that.”

“Takes no prisoners.”

“He’s one ruthless motherfucker sometimes. But that’s the nature of this game.”

“It is. You know I’d be the first one to defend him. But right now,” Lars hedged on his words, “I care about Brae.”

“Just a little.” Seth rolled his eyes.

“A lot, all right. I’m conflicted. I know the things we do, they’re bigger than the whole of us. Sometimes you have to sacrifice, and unfortunately for Braelynn, she was the lamb.”

“The trouble is that she’s not like us.”

“She was pretty bad ass stealing it back, though.” Lars carefully poured the burgundy liquid into the glasses.

“She got out alive.”

“She’s brave. And she’s beautiful.”

“Tru dat. Last night was rockin’.” Seth waggled his eyebrows.

“She’s open to new experiences.” Lars shrugged and smiled. “I like it.”

“You do have it bad, you know that?”