by Jaclyn Hardy
“Any news?”
Ben shook his head. “No. I saw them get out of the car, but then nothing happens. I made it through the first several hours, but I had to stop long enough to get this story to the editor.”
“Want me to help?”
“I thought you had touring to do.”
She shrugged. “I decided it wasn't fun going out myself. Besides, I'd had enough of people watching us earlier. I figured staying in was better. And safer.”
“Good point.” Ben went over to his computer and loaded up another set of videos. “If you want to watch these tapes, I can write the story. Unless you're dying to write the article.”
Deirdre shook her head. “I don't think you'd want to me do that. I'll watch.”
Once they were done eating, Deirdre dumped the bags and plates into the garbage and washed her hands in the bathroom. “Okay, so what am I looking for?”
Ben bent down close to her and pointed at the apartment. “That's where they're located. I need to know if anyone comes or goes. That van right there is their security, but he showed up after they did. That has me worried, but right now I just want to know where Carlie is.”
“Got it.” Deirdre stared at the screen, and Ben went back over to the table to listen to the game.
Ben took notes and wrote up his article while Deirdre sat there staring at the screen. He shook his head, wondering how he'd managed to find someone who was perfectly okay with his lifestyle. Even when she sat there spinning in the office chair, she was beautiful. She wore sweats and had her hair pulled up, but it worked for her just as much as the gown had the night before.
Deirdre suddenly gasped. “Hey, I think I found something.”
“Really?” He tipped over his chair in his haste to get over to the computer. “Finally.”
Deirdre had paused to show Carlie, Braden, and the security guard standing at the front door. She continued playing it as soon as he sat down. The three of them walked down the steps, then climbed into the van the security guy had brought. Ben checked the time. It was past midnight there.
He pulled out the tapes for the other cameras in the area and watched the van continue down the street. But the monitor he'd given Carlie had stayed at the hotel. Ben cursed. There was no knowing where they'd gone if she didn't have that with her.
“Does this mean they're on the way to get the emerald?” Deirdre asked. “That's good, right?”
Ben shook his head. “She wouldn't have gone in without me watching them every step of the way.”
Deirdre leaned closer. “Wait—look.”
An hour had passed on the camera when the van had pulled up next to the apartment again, but this time only the security guy got out. Another car pulled up, and three others got out and ran inside.
“Who are they?” Deirdre asked.
“I don't know, but I need to find out. Do you have a laptop?”
Deirdre held up her smartphone. “No, but I have this. Why?”
“Because you're about to become a sports writer. Take those notes and write them into the computer. The email address you need is already typed in so it should go pretty fast.”
“I can't write—”
“Yes. You can. You've written research papers. It's no different. Just take my notes and fill in some of the blanks.” Ben took her hand. “I need you to do this for your—our—friend. Got it?”
Deirdre pulled up the notes app on her phone and started typing. Ben turned back to the computer and hacked into any and all cameras he could find. At this point, he just hoped one of them would pick up the phone that was bugged and take it with them. Not that there was much hope that they would. They'd be looking for laptops and notes.
Ben pulled up the details that Carlie had sent him and went through the notes, trying to find anything that would indicate where they were going. Several crime bosses were supposed to meet to work out the terms of the deal, which meant they couldn't meet where the police would find them. How Braden found this out was beyond Ben. They'd taken down Braden's company when they tried to steal back the necklace from Carlie.
There were a few numbers that looked like street numbers along with scribbled names, but nothing stuck out to him. He'd have to go the old-fashioned route. Each of the other numbers on the paper had several different options it could be. It was time to combine them.
“I'm done.” Deirdre handed Ben her phone. “Not sure if it's up to your standards, but it's done.”
Ben scanned through the article. “What do you mean you can't write? This is perfect. There are a couple of word choices I'll have to change, but otherwise it's exactly what I needed. Trade me for a sec. The computer is running through variations, so just watch to see if anything comes up.”
Deirdre nodded and watched the screen while Ben tweaked the article. There wasn't much that needed to be fixed, so he was done within minutes, and then sent it off. Hopefully that was the last assignment the paper had for him so he could focus on his other job.
“Find anything yet?” Ben pulled his chair up next to Deirdre's.
“A few things. I double checked these addresses, and most of them are abandoned. This one is owned by a fairly wealthy business man, and this one is right in the center of London.”
“Wow.” Ben blinked. “I'm impressed. Okay, let's try these two factories first. The man's house is too obvious, and the building in town would be hard to get in and out of without suspicion.”
He took one factory while Deirdre took the other. It was old and broken down, both inside and out. Not the best meeting place. He leaned closer to Deirdre, and her research seemed about the same.
“Okay so not the factories. Looks like these guys are trying something a little different.” Ben sighed. “I wish Carlie had gone over details before she left.”
“Well, what did she tell you?” Deirdre leaned closer to look through his papers.
Ben breathed in her shampoo. “Uh, well, she gave me the details, but I had no time to stake anything out before she took off. Usually we have a way to get there first. Except for when they took off to Thailand, but even then, she kept in contact with me.”
“We didn't even get that.” Deirdre took the papers from Ben and looked through them. “Wait. Look.” She typed in an address and pulled up the mansion she'd come up with before. “This was in her notes. You're sure they wouldn't go there?”
Ben searched the man's name in arrest records and several files came up—anything from embezzling to hiring hitmen. “I think you're right. But that doesn't help us figure out where Carlie is.”
“I can almost guarantee she's there somewhere getting into trouble.” Deirdre stretched. “I hate to break up the party, but I am exhausted. Text me if anything happens.”
Ben felt a stab of disappointment. “Okay. Just make sure you're careful. Want me to walk you down?”
“Nah, I'm good.” Deirdre stood. “You should get some sleep too. You won't be any help if you're a zombie.”
“I'll sleep when I figure out where she is.” Ben waved and turned back to the computer.
Something was off, and he couldn't figure out what it was. He texted his dad to see if he'd heard of anything going on, then kept going through videos. The old videos were on one monitor, while the current traffic cameras were going on another. But he had to be missing something somewhere. And after the whole problem with Frank betraying all of them, Ben wanted to be extra careful.
His phone rang with an unknown number. He hesitated before answering it. “Hello?”
“What business do you have with Karl Edmunds?” It was Dad, and he seemed out of breath.
“Carlie has him in her notes. Why? I mean, besides the multiple arrests and warrants.”
Dad laughed. “That's only the crimes they got him for. He takes a crime boss to a whole new level. If she's wrapped into something with him, Carlie is in big trouble. And that would explain the movement here as well. Get out. They're closing in if they haven't already taken over the hotel where yo
u're at, and I don't like it even a little bit.”
Ben stared at the monitors. It would take a while to get everything packed up. “Got it. If you have any contacts in the area, I could use some help getting stuff out of here.”
“Already on it. Code word is 'butterfly.' They'll bring your stuff to the family safe house and I'll ship it when you're safe. Go.” The line went dead.
He didn't have to be told twice. Dad hadn't contacted him for years, and Ben wasn't about to ignore the warning. He grabbed his clothes, wallet, and gun and shoved them in a bag. He'd just emptied the safe when someone knocked on the door.
Three large men stood in the hall. The middle guy held up a sign that said 'butterfly.' As soon as he showed it, the paper disintegrated. Ben opened the door.
“Be careful with my stuff. I spent my life's savings on those screens.” He had to jump out of the way as they walked through.
One stopped and turned. “I believe your father told you to be gone. Grab your girl and get out.”
Ben nodded once and ran for the elevator. He felt for his gun as the door opened to another group of men. These didn't seem quite so friendly. It was too late. He darted down the hallway and burst through the stair doorway. He just hoped Deirdre was still okay.
Dee dried her hair with the towel and changed into a pair of pajamas. It had been a long day, and while she'd enjoyed doing detective work with Ben, she was exhausted. She dropped onto her bed and turned on the TV.
Her phone buzzed.
Hey, I got the day off tomorrow. I'm thinking of leaving on the first flight out of here. Ready to party?
Dee grinned and responded.
Let's do it!
Perfect. I'll text you with flight details as soon as I have them.
Sounds great.
Dee set her phone down and turned off the lamp. If she was going to keep up with Dani, she needed sleep right now. She'd almost drifted off when someone pounded on the door. Dee's heart beat hard in her chest. Did she answer the door or call the police? But then if they were going to break in, they wouldn't have been loud, right?
She stood and grabbed her mace. Ben stood there breathing hard. She'd barely turned the knob when he burst into the room and latched the door behind him.
“Grab your stuff. All of it. We gotta go.” Ben ran to the window and threw open the curtains. He opened the door and leaned over the balcony. He turned back and helped her shove clothes into her bags. “They found us. And my dad said Carlie is in over her head. You're going home on the next flight. We already have a ticket for you.”
“Whoa, wait. And hey, careful with that dryer. It wasn't cheap.” She grabbed it from him and set it among her socks.
Ben took her by the shoulders. “There are men in the hotel right now ready to kill both of us if we don't get out of here. Now.”
“Why do they want me?” Dee glared.
“Me, your best friend, an emerald.” He zipped up the bag and handed it to her. “My dad has your room number. He'll come and get the rest of your stuff. Think you can climb down the side of the wall?”
“Uh, no? We're like eighty feet off the ground right now. In the middle of New York. You don't think—” Dee's words were cut off by more pounding on the door.
“Don't answer it. Come on.” Ben grabbed her by the hand and pulled her to the balcony. “Hold on tight.”
Before Dee could ask why, Ben wrapped his arms around her waist and tipped over the edge. She screamed until the wings of the jetpack Ben wore popped out and the wind whipped away her breath. Shots rang out behind them from the direction of the hotel. They landed on a roof across the street and Dee leaned over to try to catch her breath.
“What was that about?”
“We don't have time. I'm sorry. Let's get to the airport and then I'll tell you.”
A helicopter came around the corner and Ben ran for the stairs. They barely made it inside before shots hit the door. They raced down the steps and through someone's apartment to get to the fire escape.
“Get in.” Ben opened the door to a black van and waited for Dee to climb in before he got inside.
The driver gunned the engine and Dee had to hold on tight so she wouldn't get thrown around inside.
“Is someone going to tell me what's going on?” Dee ran her fingers through her hair, trying to get the tangles out.
“Problem is, you know about as much as I do. The Karl guy you looked up is apparently worse than we thought. My dad made me get out and it was barely on time.”
Dee rubbed her forehead, trying to concentrate. “And you're sending me home, because . . .?”
“So you're out of danger.”
“I won't be out of danger there. We both know that. I'm coming with you.” Dee jerked back. That was the last thing she'd expected to say. But she knew she meant it.
Ben laughed. “No. You're not.”
“Look, I'm no safer at home than I am here, and Carlie is my best friend. I can't just let her be out there in trouble and pretend like everything is okay. Why do you think I've spent all the time staring at the computer?”
It was Ben's turn to jerk back. “Well, I guess I thought it was because you wanted to spend time with me.”
“That's part of it.” Dee back-pedaled. “I loved spending time with you. But I'm sorry. My best friend is my top priority.”
Ben shook his head. “I'm sorry. I can't let you do that.”
They pulled up to the airport and climbed out. Ben escorted Dee to her gate and waited for her to get onto the plane. She stopped at the entrance to the plane and counted to ten before doubling back. She wasn't going home.
Ben was no longer by the gate, so she made her way through the crowd back into the airport. She stopped in front of the computers to find the right flight and cursed. The only flight to England would leave in half an hour so she had to act fast.
She found a gift shop and grabbed some clothes and a bag off the shelf and paid for them before heading for the restroom. She grimaced at the clothes, but she had to make sure Ben wouldn't recognize her. The hoodie that covered her hair and tacky sweatpants with New York City across the backside were something she would never wear. Of course, Ben might not know that, but as long as she could get on the plane, it didn't matter.
Dee shoved her old clothes in the bag and walked casually through the airport. Her heart pounded, fearing and a little excitement coursing through her. She'd always wanted to do what Carlie did, but she'd never expected to actually do it. And yet, here she was. She finally found the right gate for the flight and searched for Ben. It wouldn't do any good to go through all this if she was caught before she got on the plane.
Ben stood to the side of the gate typing on his laptop, but Dee knew he was keeping an eye out on everything around him. Whoever had been chasing them couldn't have been too far behind, so the wait to board had to be driving him crazy.
Dee backtracked to the ticket counter. “Hi. I need a ticket to England.”
The woman frowned. “You realize this flight is ready to board?”
“Yes, sorry.”
“How'd you get in here without a ticket?” The woman reached for the phone.
“I have a ticket back to Arizona. And I was going to get on it, but I couldn't do it. I decided to surprise my boyfriend in England for his birthday. I can't bear to go another day without seeing him,” Dee gushed. She hated lying, but by the smile on the woman's face, she'd said the right thing.
“Let's see what we can do.” She stared down at the computer screen before looking up at Dee. “It seems that the only spots available are in first class. Would that work?”
“I don't care. I'll take it.” She handed over her passport and a credit card. It would take all of her balance, but she'd just make Carlie pay her back when she was out of danger. “Thank you.”
“Good luck with your boyfriend. And I suggest you don't do this again.”
“Thanks.” Dee grabbed her bag and ran for the gate. She slowed and went on aler
t, making sure nothing seemed suspicious. Well, besides the way she was acting. She needed to calm down before someone wondered about her. Getting the last-minute tickets had already made the lady wonder about her.
The first-class passengers were boarding by the time Dee got back to the gate. Ben was on the phone talking, so she slipped past him and handed the ticket and her passport to the agent. His eyes flicked between the passport and her face a few times before he finally scanned the ticket and gestured for her to go on.
“Enjoy your flight.”
“Thank you.” She hoped her name hadn't been flagged, but there was no time to worry about that. The line moved slowly onto the plane as people found their seats. Dee couldn't help but come up with all kinds of crazy scenarios while she waited. Ben would find her and make her leave. The bad guys would be on the plane looking for her and Ben. It was a relief when she finally got to her seat without anything bad happening. She pulled out the magazine she'd bought to hide her face and took deep breaths to calm down.
“You know that's the worst disguise ever, right?” Ben sat next to Dee.
Dee cursed and set the magazine on her lap. “You let me go through all of that and you knew what I was doing the whole time?”
“No, although I was a little suspicious. You gave up and went on your flight a little too easily. When I boarded and saw the hoodie and the magazine being held up in the air, I figured it was you. Most people don't read magazines that way.” He took it from her. “Then I just had to see your eyes as you peeked up over it to know I was right.”
“You know I couldn't just let you go.” Dee pulled her hoodie off and fixed her hair for the millionth time that day. “You said earlier that I know as much as you do about the case. I can help figure out where she is because I've known her for as long as you have. Besides, this way Dani stays out of trouble. If I go back, who knows what could happen?”
Ben sighed. “I figured you'd say that. Just look through the notes I emailed you and get up to speed on how things work.”
“Oooh, will it self-destruct?”
“Nope. Unless you delete it. But I suggest you read it first.” Ben put his seatbelt on as the pre-flight instructions began.
