“Oh, well then,” Jake said, cupping her rounded rear end. “I guess I should live up to my new status. Spread your legs a little wider, angel. I have something I want to give you.”
“Oh, that’s better than a mask any day of the week.”
Twenty-Two
“And what did you get me up for at this ungodly hour?”
Maverick wasn’t thrilled to be called out on a job, and he especially wasn’t happy that it was something he couldn’t tackle from the confines of his comfy basement. As a twenty-year-old slacker, he had a reputation to uphold. Unfortunately, he was also the smartest man in the room.
“It’s almost two in the afternoon,” Jake said, pointing toward the kitchen counter. “I need you to look at that.”
“It’s a mask,” Maverick said, nonplussed. “It looks like it’s from New Orleans.”
“It is from New Orleans,” Jake said, fighting to keep his tone even. “I’m not interested in the mask, though. I’m interested in what we found in the mask.”
“Which is?”
Jake gestured toward the computer chip.
Maverick narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of it. “That’s a new prototype chip,” he said. “Where did you get it?”
“It was inside of the mask.”
“Why?”
“We don’t know,” Jake said. “James bought the mask for Mandy down in New Orleans. He sent it up here so he could surprise her later. Whatever is on this chip has some people going after them down there, though. We need to know what’s on the chip.”
“Mandy is the hot blonde, right?”
Jake sighed. “Yes.”
“I like her. Do you think she and James will make it over the long haul?”
“I do,” Jake said. “That’s why they got married. They want to be together forever.”
“But she’s so hot,” Maverick complained. “I think she should give me a chance.”
“Can you just tell us what’s on this chip?”
“I get it,” Maverick said. “Chop, chop.” He lifted the satchel he was carrying off his shoulder and put it on the kitchen table. He pulled his laptop out, and a few other items Jake didn’t recognize, and booted the computer up.
“So, you’re saying you have no idea what’s on this?” Maverick studied the chip.
“None,” Jake said.
“It’s like an adventure,” Maverick said, his eyes sparkling.
“In your world, I’m guessing it probably is,” Jake said.
Ally chose that moment to appear from the back of the house. Her hair was still damp from the hot tub, and her skin was flushed from afternoon exertion. Thankfully, she was back in her clothes. “Hey, angel,” Jake said. “Do you want something to drink? I figured we could just make a quick lunch here.”
“That’s fine with me,” Ally said, looking Maverick up and down. “Are you Maverick?”
“I see my reputation lives on with hot chicks everywhere,” Maverick said. “Wow. You’re as hot as the blonde.”
Ally lifted an eyebrow. “The blonde?”
“Mandy,” Jake supplied.
“I’m way hotter than Mandy,” Ally said.
“I don’t know, there’s something dirty about her,” Maverick said. “I don’t think she wears underwear all of the time. I saw her husband with his hand up her skirt once and … whew … I was dying to know what he felt up there.”
Ally scowled. “That’s my brother. You know that, right?”
“Yes, I know you’re the hot sister,” Maverick said. “I’ve seen pictures of you. You’re way hotter in person, though.”
“Thank you,” Ally said. She never could look a gift compliment in the mouth. “And I know.”
Jake smirked. “You’re the hottest, angel.”
Ally smiled at him, flirty. “What do you want for lunch?”
“What are my options?”
Ally made her way to the refrigerator and looked inside ruefully. “How about tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches?”
“Sold,” Jake said.
“I want crackers in mine,” Maverick said, not looking up from his computer screen. He shoved the chip in his scanner, typed a few things on his keyboard, and then waited.
“You said that chip was a prototype,” Jake said. “Why did you say that?”
“Because it’s not readily available on the market,” he said. “The only people who have it are big computer geniuses and … well … the military.”
Jake frowned. “The military?”
“It’s smaller,” Maverick said. “You can store huge mountains of data on it and yet it’s still tiny. That’s why it’s such a big deal.”
“Do you know what’s on it yet?”
Maverick shook his head. “Whatever it is, it’s big. It’s going to take a few minutes.” His interested eyes followed Ally as she bustled about the kitchen. “Is she your girlfriend?”
“Yes.” Jake didn’t like the look in the young man’s eyes. “And before you ask, we’re happy. She doesn’t want to see your basement.”
“You don’t know that, dude,” Maverick said. “She might want to see my basement.”
“Is that code for something?” Ally asked, mixing two cans of tomato soup and water together in a pot. “Is ‘his basement’ some kind of … sex thing?”
Jake chuckled. “No. He lives in his mother’s basement.”
“Oh,” Ally said. “I thought you were a computer genius?”
“I’m a genius at every little thing I try,” Maverick replied, winking. “You should find out for yourself.”
Ally smiled. “We just had sex three times in the hot tub while we were waiting for you to wake up and drive ten minutes,” Ally said. “I don’t think you can out genius Jake.”
Jake smiled at Ally. “Thank you for the ego boost, angel.”
“Oh, no,” Ally said. “Thank you.”
“All the women in this family are a total bummer,” Maverick said, turning back to his computer. “I’m a desirable man. I’m rich.”
“You still live in your mom’s basement.”
“I’m going to be filthy rich in another year,” Maverick pointed out. “My basement is totally tricked out.”
“You should probably pick women who aren’t involved with other men,” Jake suggested. “That was your first mistake.”
“And you should choose someone closer to your own age,” Ally said.
“You’re like six years older than me,” Maverick argued.
“Those are important years, though,” Ally said. “You might try looking on a college campus.”
“I prefer older women,” Maverick said. “They know what they’re doing in bed.”
“Do you know what you’re doing in bed?” Ally asked.
“Of course.”
Ally arched a confrontational eyebrow.
“I know a lot,” Maverick corrected. “I watch a lot of porn.”
Ally snorted. “Porn is for men. It doesn’t show you how to get a woman off.”
“Porn is awesome.” Maverick looked to Jake for support.
“Don’t look at me,” Jake said. “I don’t watch porn.”
“You’re just saying that because she’s here,” Maverick grumbled.
“I have her,” Jake said. “Trust me. I don’t need porn. She’s got more … attributes … than porn ever could.”
“Oh, you say the sweetest things,” Ally cooed.
“Finish lunch, angel,” Jake said. “I’m starving.”
“You worked up an appetite.”
“We both worked up an appetite,” Jake said. He turned back to Maverick. “Anything?”
Maverick’s face was puzzled as he studied his screen. “I … huh.”
Jake moved away from the counter and slipped behind Maverick so he could study the screen. “What am I looking at?”
Maverick hit a few buttons and the plans on the screen shifted. “Is that what I think it is?”
Jake was grim. “Yeah.”
/> “What is it?” Ally asked.
“It’s a design for a rocket launcher,” Jake said.
“Not exactly,” Maverick said. “It’s the design for a new computer interface for surface-to-air missiles.”
“That’s a rocket launcher.”
“The design isn’t for the rocket launcher itself, though,” Maverick said. “It’s for the interface.”
“I need to make a call,” Jake said, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket.
“Wait a second,” Maverick said. “That’s not the only thing on this chip.”
Jake stilled. “What else?”
“There are designs for a building.”
“What building?”
“I’m not sure,” Maverick said. “Oh, wait. It says they belong to Walker Convention Center.”
Jake lifted his eyes and met Ally’s concerned face across the room. “Isn’t that the place James, Finn and Grady are working this week?” she asked.
Jake nodded.
“Call them. Call them now.”
“CAN you send what you’ve found to us?” James asked, running his hand through his hair worriedly as he talked to Jake on the phone.
“No,” Jake said. “I don’t feel any connection we have is secure right now. Maverick is working on one, but I don’t feel safe sending them until we can be assured that no one else can see it.”
“You’re right,” James said. “Are you guys safe?”
“No one knows we have it,” Jake said. “We’re safer than you.”
“Get Ally out of my house,” James said. “Make sure she’s locked up.”
“I’ll get her some place safe,” Jake said.
James heard Maverick pipe up in the background. “She can spend the night in my basement.”
“Ally, will you please go and shove a sandwich in Maverick’s mouth or something? Thank you, angel.” Jake lowered his voice when she was gone. “She’s worked up. She’s worried about you guys.”
“We’re fine,” James said. “We’re together.”
“I know,” Jake said. “I just … keep safe. Ally will be lost without you.”
“We’ll keep safe,” James said. “You guys do the same.”
“I won’t let her out of my sight,” Jake said. “I promise.”
“I’ll be in touch,” James said.
“Oh, one more thing,” Jake said. “Can you pick up another one of those masks for Ally? She’s in love with the one you got Mandy. I want to give it to her as a gift. I’ll pay you for it when you get back.”
“I’ll let Mandy pick it out,” James said, smiling despite himself. He might not like the idea of his sister fornicating all over Southeastern Michigan, but he had no problem with her choice of partners. “I’ll call you as soon as I can.”
“Keep the family safe,” Jake said. “Ally isn’t the only one who would miss you all if something happened.”
James disconnected and turned his attention to Finn, Grady and Boyd. “We have a new problem.”
“Did they find what was in the mask?” Boyd asked.
“It was a computer chip. Apparently it was a prototype. Our computer guy managed to load it up.”
“And?”
“And it’s not good,” James said. “Maverick found a cutting-edge design for a new surface-to-air missile interface. He also found the schematics to this building.”
“Someone wants what is going to be in the locked room,” Finn said.
“Someone knows what’s going to be in the locked room,” Grady corrected. “That means there was a breach in security before we even got here.”
“That’s worrisome,” James said. “What’s more worrisome is the type of people who would want access to this kind of interface.”
“We’re talking about terrorists here,” Boyd said. “We’re talking about terrorists in my city.”
“It’s more than just terrorists,” James said. “There are people who would steal the information just to sell to the highest bidder. In general, I don’t think we have to worry about actual terrorists. They would stand out here.”
“He’s right,” Finn said. “The type of people who would be interested in this design are worse than terrorists. Terrorists have an ideology. It might be misguided, but they generally do the things they do because they have a purpose.”
“The people we’re dealing with don’t care who gets the design,” Grady said. “They’re just interested in money.”
“So, what do we do?” Boyd asked.
“You need to build a task force,” James said. “We need more security bodies on this building. The big unveiling is tomorrow. I’ll try to see if we can cancel it. I don’t think they’re going to go for it, though. This is their big event.”
“We need more security on your women, too,” Boyd said. “Our biggest break here is that you sent the mask up north – and yet no one knows that. They might think you’re a player. Either way, they still think the chip is here. Make sure your computer guru doesn’t send those plans over the Internet.”
“Jake has a handle on him,” James said. “We’re safe there. Maverick knows what he’s doing. He’s not a novice. You’re right about our women, though. Tomorrow is the big day. If people want those plans, they’re going to make a move tonight.”
“I’m going to put a whole lot of bodies in that hotel,” Boyd said. “They’ll all be dressed like tourists. If we’re lucky, no one will realize how many armed people are in there.”
“The fourth suite on our floor is unoccupied,” James said. “Some people can move in there.”
“I’ll move in there with a few of our best officers,” Boyd said. “That way we can be assured that everyone on that floor is someone we know.”
“We’ll keep everyone inside the rooms tonight,” James said. “They’re safest there.”
Boyd cleared his throat. “I don’t think that’s the best way to go.”
“Why?”
“I think we should pretend that everything is normal,” Boyd said. “If you tip your hand that you know what’s going on, you’re just making yourself a bigger target.”
“You want us to go out in the open?” James was incensed. “You want me to put my wife in danger?”
“I want to pick a restaurant that’s close to the hotel and have you eat in the open on a patio,” Boyd said. “We’ll have undercover officers watching you every step of the way. If we’re lucky, someone will make a move and we can grab them.”
James wasn’t convinced. “That’s my wife. That’s my future sister-in-law. She’s carrying my future niece or nephew.”
“We’ll be watching,” Boyd promised. “I honestly think we’re safer going this route than holing up. If you hole up, people might become desperate.”
James turned to his brothers, conflicted. “What do you think?”
“I think we’re strong together,” Finn said. “We’ll keep them safe.”
“We’d better,” James said. “If anyone touches one hair on any of their heads … .”
“It won’t come to that,” Boyd said. “We won’t let it.”
“You’d better not,” James said. “If any of them gets hurt, you’re going to have to use that task force to stop me from killing anyone who ever threatened my family. I can promise you that.”
Twenty-Three
“This is going to sound like an odd request from me, but can you please not wear a skirt tonight?”
James hadn’t said a lot since he’d returned to their room, and Mandy was concerned. She didn’t press him on what he’d discovered, even though she was dying to find out the specifics. “Okay. Can I wear my cargo pants and a tank top?”
“That’s fine, baby,” James said, running his hand through his hair nervously. “You haven’t asked me what happened today.”
“You don’t want to tell me,” Mandy said.
“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you,” James said. “It’s just … bigger … than we all thought it was.”
&n
bsp; “So, why are we all going out to dinner?”
“We need to eat.”
His answer was evasive, and Mandy knew he was hiding something. “Is that why there are cops crawling through this hotel suddenly?”
James stilled. “How do you know that?”
“I work in a courthouse,” Mandy said, pulling on her green cargo pants and fixing him with an unreadable look. “I know how to spot a cop.”
“Do you think anyone else can spot them?”
“I’m going to bet Sophie has,” Mandy said. “I’m also going to bet Emma hasn’t. That’s probably a good thing, right?”
“It is,” James said. “Emma can’t find out what’s going on. We talked about it this afternoon. She can’t relax when she knows something is wrong. Every thought she has registers on her face.”
“Don’t tell her that,” Mandy said. “She thinks those acting classes she took make her ready for an Oscar.”
James smiled. “You’re being awfully agreeable.”
“I know you think I’m a pain in the ass,” Mandy said. “I know I am. I don’t mean to be. It just happens sometimes. I can’t explain it.”
“Baby … .”
Mandy held up her hand to silence him. “I know that you’re good at what you do. Actually, I know that you’re the best at what you do. If you don’t want to tell me, then I figure I don’t need to know.
“This isn’t like when you hid where we were going on our honeymoon,” she continued. “That was a stupid thing to hide, by the way. This is something else. I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone in my entire life. I know you’ll do what’s right. You don’t know how to fail, so you won’t.”
James pressed his eyes shut for a moment. “Every day of our life together I think this is the moment,” he said. He opened his eyes and focused on her. “I think this is the moment where it’s impossible to love you more than I do. Every single day you blow that expectation out of the water. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“I know.”
James grinned. “I’ll tell you what’s going on after dinner. I just need you to act natural when we’re out. Don’t stare at the cops who are watching us. I know you’ll see them. Just … don’t.”
“Okay.”
“Then, when we get back up here, I’ll massage you for an hour and fill you in,” James said. “For the next hour, though, I need you to act like a happy wife on vacation.”
Deadly Vacation (Hardy Brothers Security Book 10) Page 15
