Audio Assault
Page 20
I removed a couple of the floorboards to get to my go stash—an unregistered phone, alternate ID, two thousand dollars cash and some debit cards. I stuffed it all in one of the hidden compartments of my backpack.
The desk was a disaster with cables that were yanked from computers. Papers and knickknacks scattered across the surface and onto the floor. Drawers were pulled out too and the contents were shuffled. They’d left behind what I wanted, though—the latest contact lens prototype. They were stored in a common lens case, and that must’ve saved them from looking like something to take.
My phone and watch alerted that the signal to destroy what was taken had gone out. Once any of my stuff came online, they’d be toast. Between that and the security I had in place on the devices, no one should get anything sensitive.
Quakes rattled through me—adrenaline, shock, both. I almost dropped the phone at the intensity. My voice had to be steady for the next task.
On the TOS phone, I placed an unsecured call to Mom.
She picked up after two rings. “Theo, what a nice surprise. You caught me getting some coffee between sessions. How was your day?”
“It was good.” Thank God I had practice trying to sound calm when I was anything but. “We had a grueling practice trying to whip the freshmen into shape. And Mitch is still trying to convince me to be alternate captain.”
“I think you’d be good at that. But I won’t say more. I’ll leave the persuading to him.” She’d been proud he’d asked me, and she’d done some subtle campaigning for it since I’d shared the news with her. All part of me being a teenager as much as possible.
I took an extra deep breath.
“Yeah, he’s really laying it on. Anyway, I wanted to let you know I’m going to Roger’s house to work on a project.”
Roger’s house was the code that we’d set in case I had to casually announce that I was in danger and going into hiding.
“Okay. Tell Roger’s mom I said hello.” Another pause. No doubt she had the same struggle I did—what to say given the circumstances. “My break’s wrapping up, so I need to get back. And you should go before it gets too dark.” Right to the end being a mom.
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“Love you too, Theo.” I heard the concern, the slightest fault in her voice. I doubted anyone who might be listening would register it. “See you in a few days.”
We disconnected. I looked at the screen for just a moment before I pocketed the phone.
I had to go.
More from Jeff Adams
Codename: Winger: Book One
High school student. Hockey player. Computer whiz kid. Covert agent?
At sixteen Theo Reese is the youngest agent for Tactical Operational Support. His way with computers makes him invaluable. He designs new gadgets, helps agents (including his parents) in the field, and works to keep the TOS network safe. But when a hacker breaches the system TOS uses to track agents, Theo is put to the test like never before.
Thrust from behind the safety of his desk, Theo must go into the field to put a stop to the hack. He’s scared but resolved because one of the missing agents is his father. And just to make it more interesting, he has to keep everything a secret from his boyfriend and teammates.
Can Theo get the job done, save his dad, and make things good with his boyfriend?
Codename: Winger: Book Two
Secret agent and teenage computer genius Theo Reese lives in two separate worlds—and they’re about to collide.
Theo’s high school computer science club is gearing up for a competition, and Theo agrees to lend his knowledge of cybersecurity to help them win. The covert agency he works for also needs his talents. An encrypted key that allows access to the nation’s electrical grid has been stolen. Theo’s skills are crucial in its recovery before disaster strikes.
When the file shows up at the competition as one of those to be decoded, Theo must find a way to be both an average high school student and Winger, his secret identity. The file must be secured—all while protecting his teammates from those who will use any means necessary to get the file for themselves.
Readers love the Codename: Winger series by Jeff Adams
Tracker Hacker
“This was truly an incredible read. It is suspenseful. It is action packed. It is full of danger and mystery.”
—Gay Book Reviews
“Wow! Talk about a wild ride from beginning to end! I could not stop reading and was completely enthralled from the first page until the last.”
—Diverse Reader
Schooled
“…if you’re looking for a read that is suspenseful, entertaining, and very up-to-date technologically speaking, then you will probably enjoy this novel.”
—Rainbow Book Reviews
“Schooled was a fast paced story that I read in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed the writing style and loved Theo and how he grew throughout the book.”
—Love Bytes
JEFF ADAMS has written stories since he was in middle school and became a gay romance writer in 2009 when his first short stories were published. Since then he’s continued to create, often with a hockey player at the center of the story.
Jeff lives in northern California with his husband of more than twenty years, Will. Some of his favorite things include the musicals Rent and [title of show], the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey teams, and the reality TV competition So You Think You Can Dance. He also loves to read, but there isn’t enough space to list out his favorite books.
Jeff is the co-host of Jeff & Will’s Big Gay Fiction Podcast, a weekly show devoted to gay romance as well as pop culture. New episodes come out every Monday at biggayfictionpodcast.com.
You can learn more about Jeff at jeffadamswrites.com.
By Jeff Adams
CODENAME: WINGER
Tracker Hacker
Schooled
Audio Assault
Published by HARMONY INK PRESS
www.harmonyinkpress.com
Published by
HARMONY INK PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
publisher@harmonyinkpress.com • harmonyinkpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Audio Assault
© 2018 Jeff Adams.
Cover Art
© 2018 Aaron Anderson.
aaronbydesign55@gmail.com
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Harmony Ink Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or publisher@harmonyinkpress.com.
Digital ISBN: 978-1-64080-675-7
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-64080-676-4
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018935329
Digital published November 2018
v. 1.0
Printed in the United States of America
style = " -webkit-filter: grayscale(100%); -moz-filter: grayscale(100%); -o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share