“But it worked, if Luc would stop and think about it with his other head.” Ethan held his hands up in surrender when Lucas stood.
“Enough, damn it. Lexi, what did you get from raiding Reinhardt’s computer?” Matt, ever the peacekeeper, toed the chair back and pushed Lucas to sit.
“Yeah, but it’s gonna take me a bit to sort through the folders. Ya’ll might as well make some breakfast for when Megan arrives. She’s had a hard night.”
Lucas growled.
Chapter Twelve
“Perimeter checks clean?” Matt shuffled the papers on the table and nodded for Lucas to join him.
Early morning in Luc’s cabin had become their routine meeting place to discuss new reports and ClickChip’s progress. Lack of new information had begun to take its toll. Without evidence, they were treading water.
“All clean. No sign of intruders or spies larger than a squirrel. The two areas used as lookout posts haven’t been revisited as far as I can tell.” Lucas slammed the door after wiping his feet. Judging by the twitches at his brothers’ lips, he was in for more smart-ass comments. The brisk air had done nothing to cool his growing lust.
Caden nodded to Kaylee, who headed for the fridge. “You want help with that, sweetheart?”
“No. I got it. Gives me something useful to do.” Kaylee retrieved a carton of milk before setting glasses on the table. “I can’t believe they just gave up on surveillance.”
“They haven’t, I’m sure. They’ve just gotten smarter,” Matt suggested.
Lucas stilled as Megan entered the house. Tension tightened his gut when Caden followed. His brother’s shit-eating grin spelled trouble. “Any problems after we left, Caden?”
Matt nudged a chair out for Megan.
“No, my supervisor has been sticking to me like glue, which means I haven’t gotten time alone in Reinhardt’s office. The upshot is that Kilregard hasn’t gotten near me.” Megan hung her coat on the back of her chair. “Jeez, neither of them will surrender.”
“The guard isn’t going to give up, Megan. You’re still expected to entertain one evening and finish with an egg omelet in the morning.” Luc gritted his teeth, his mouth straightening in a firm line with the thought of breaking the dipshit’s jaw. He couldn’t let it go. The discussion after the incident had ended with a standoff, and Luc hadn’t brought it up again. Instead, he let the fury boil and fester until ready to explode.
“Not gonna happen, grizzly.” Megan shot an annoyed glance at her antagonist. Removing the soft earpiece, she set it on the table beside Matt and removed her bandana. “Thanks for the running commentary. It was entertaining.” Crouching down, she rubbed her face against Leyna’s neck.
“Hey, her alter ego, Mindy, got her out of that situation, Luc,” Lexi admonished while shifting her laptop aside. “Quick thinking and good job, I say.”
Each of the brothers sat and busied themselves filling a plate with pastries and hiding their smiles. Kaylee had brewed strong coffee for the discussion ahead.
“She’s set herself up as a target. It’s been a week.” Luc snarled.
“I played him, you idiot.” Megan sighed. “Its proven much easier to deal with a horny security guard than a surly house mate. I guess the progress we’ve made toward peace went up in a cloud of steam.” She took the mug of coffee Kaylee offered.
“No. You were caught in Reinhardt’s office because you didn’t pull out when you were told to.” A small vein in Luc’s temple throbbed in time with the clenching of his jaw.
“Considering your reputation, I’m guessing you’re an expert on the subject?” Small laugh lines bracketed Megan’s eyes and mouth.
All motion stopped while the two glared at each other and curious, knowing glances ricocheted between the spectators.
“Um, guys? Let’s not start Armageddon, at least not until we stop this crisis.” Kaylee, with her quiet insistence, nestled in Caden’s lap. Her fingers rested casually on his flannel shirt and moved under his flexing forearm.
Ethan set a plate in front of Luc. “Ah. You haven’t seen the teasing side of a woman before. Let me explain—”
“He got his hands on you.” It took all of Luc’s self-restraint to not follow and face-off with Kilregard. “He could’ve crushed your windpipe before anyone got close enough to help you. As it is, he follows you or watches you on the security feeds.”
“No, I placed his hand on me. I know how to handle men like that. I’m not a teenager.”
“Oh, it looks like you have plenty of experience handling men.” Anger and frustration seethed under the surface calm. Years of undercover work had seen Luc in all types of situations, either working alone or with other operatives. He’d seen firsthand how women could manipulate men, but occasionally, it backfired. “Don’t you realize he’s reviewed your meeting in his mind and if you don’t follow through soon, he’ll know he was used?”
“You’re suggesting I sleep with him? Wonder what that would be like.” Megan’s flippancy earned guffaws from his brothers.
“No, damn it! I’m saying…hell, you can only put a man off for so long before he gets wise. Depending on how smart he is.”
“Because men always catch on if they have more than one brain cell?” Megan nipped both lips between her teeth, but crinkles around her eyes hinted at suppressed laughter.
She well understood the chemistry boiling between them yet kept her distance and used sarcasm as a shield. Every time he’d stood close or brushed his fingers across hers in an innocent gesture, a small shiver flashed over her body while her heart rate increased. She might not have noticed how she’d lean closer when they talked or how her skin flushed, but he did.
“Okay guys, let’s finish this update. I’m sure the files we need are kept on a standalone in the basement. At least that makes the most sense.”
“We don’t know the contents of the underground level,” Matt pulled a schematic diagram of ClickChip from his folder. “It could be any kind of lab, or other side project.”
“Guys! I think I’ve found another way downstairs.” Lexi smiled at the hopeful glances turned her way. “Reinhardt installed a type of double key system. One’s digital, the other’s some kind of lever, maybe in the stairwell. When Megan goes back tonight, we should be able to get her downstairs if she can shake free of the supervisor.”
“It’s a shame we can’t finagle a way to use the elevator.” Kaylee looked to her boyfriend, Caden. “I know I’m the one least adept at clandestine affairs, but if we could distract the guard at the entrance, she could get down there.”
“Everybody helps in their own way. Megan’s makeover and disguise has turned out perfect,” Caden replied. He then looked at the schematic printout Matt studied.
“The elevator is used by techs going to the clean rooms upstairs and is closely monitored,” Caden added. “The only people who use it to go down are the ones who work in the basement, and the first guard never leaves his post, unless relieved.”
“I did find updates on their experiments. I’ll give that to you, Megan, since you’re the closest thing we have to an expert.” After a few clicks of her keyboard, Lexi motioned to the printer on the counter. “From what I gather, the nanos are somewhat fragile, just like the chip that disintegrates. The question is, once the chip has been implanted—if you find a way to destroy the chip, won’t you release God only knows what horror into someone’s brain or bloodstream?”
“Unless there’s some type of antidote. I can’t imagine even a twisted scientist developing a bio weapon without a cure on the off chance they get infected. I’ll read through this and see what I can learn.” Megan retrieved the printouts, her brow furrowing in contemplation.
“What about this net blanket. Anything new on its range and where they’ve placed transceivers?” At the end of the table, Billy unrolled his street map of Portland.
“There’s a file here labeled Baby Blanket, Reinhardt’s idea of a joke, I guess.” Lexi brought up a new screen, a diagram of
city streets with red dots placed at strategic intersections. “I’ll send this map to each of your phones.”
Lexi brushed Megan’s elbow to get her attention. “I saw receipts for dog food, so when you do get to the basement, be prepared.”
“Hell. If there was a way to drug and sneak a test subject out of the lab, we might learn a lot.” Megan drummed her fingers on the table. “Shame we can’t get hold of Reinhardt and test his own shit on him.”
“Assuming there is a surgical lab downstairs, they should have both nanos and chips. We’ll either take everything we can or destroy it.” Billy snagged his tablet and tapped on the keys. “I can check with the Portland utilities office. These bastards might hide in plain sight, adding the transceivers while performing regular maintenance.”
“Look for vandalism, probably minor, that would require a wider range of disciplines,” Matt suggested.
“Well, this is interesting.” Lexi squinted before enlarging a document on her screen. “It’s a record from CSV Pharmaceuticals on specific deaths. We’ll have to dig deeper to understand their significance, but, Luc, I see your partner’s name has come up.”
“Fuck. How is it they’re involved with drug dealers and my partner?”
“Looks like the corporate office in Dover is tracking reports of rival gangs fighting in Portland. I’ll print this out, too.”
Further discussion offered various scenarios ranging from bizarre to nearly impossible. Without specific knowledge of the threat and its capabilities, none could offer a solution.
One guard was already suspicious of Megan’s agenda. Lucas shuddered at the thought of her returning. Dealing with bull-headed women had never been his forte. They were usually soft and pliant.
Sun streamed through the window’s curtains by the time everyone selected their piece of the puzzle to research. Each cleared their dishes then hesitated before leaving, uncertainty filling the room but not given voice. Then, a united front of McAllisters led their better halves out, leaving Megan and Lucas alone once again.
He didn’t have the heart or the endurance to start their normal banter. “You’re exhausted. We’ll talk after we’ve slept.” He still couldn’t look at her without seeing the guard’s hand against her chest. Life had taught him to never make decisions or attempt sincere conversations while under extreme stress, but at times, that’s all he had.
As if sensing his turmoil but unsure how he’d react, she padded forward and slid her hands around his neck. “We’ll get through this, Luc. We’ll get our lives back.”
Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into full-body contact, he nuzzled the soft juncture of her neck and shoulder, relishing the clean scent. Megan’s scent.
In his arms stood a woman unafraid to call him on his bullshit. He didn’t know of anything she feared, except maybe an entanglement with him.
“You’ve lost so much in your life. With your best friend murdered and your career put on hold, yet you still take the right path.” He didn’t need an MD behind his name to see the worry lingering in her gaze. “Whatever I’m dealing with, you’ve got it double. Realize, you’re not alone.” He couldn’t form the words to tell her he’d remain her friend for he wanted so much more, from a woman whose depth challenged his mind, body, and spirit. A woman with whom each day saw their connection strengthen and would withstand the rigors of daily struggles, failed health, and impossible scenarios put before them.
He wanted to kiss her, taste her in ways that would leave an indelible mark on his soul. If he started, he wouldn’t be able to stop, and they were still in danger.
“If I stop and think about it all, I’ll cry.” Rubbing her forehead against his chest, she groaned.
“Holding grief inside isn’t good.”
“Neither is falling apart.”
She pulled back, the sadness in her gaze ripping a hole in his chest. He wouldn’t start something they couldn’t finish. “Go to sleep, Megan.”
After a few hours’ nap, he awoke on the couch with sweat coating his skin and bile in the back of his throat. Vestiges of Megan fighting off a guard fixed on conquest had filled his dream. A vain attempt to return to oblivion would only make things worse.
Staring at the endless reports of medical jargon scattered on the counter would keep his mind occupied after he figured out what to eat for lunch.
With a higher than average IQ, he was seldom called stupid, yet trying to wade through the technical aspects combined with frustration over Megan endangering her life to gain information equaled a migraine before noon.
As the sun reached its zenith, the focus of his nightmare padded out from the master bedroom in her normal sleep attire, cotton boy shorts and a cropped top. She’s trying to provoke me. Leyna bounced by her side, wanting to go out and play.
He’d never known a veterinarian, but if she persevered in her objective to drive him to an instinctual and uncontrolled state of lust, he was in deep shit. “Sleep okay?”
“Not particularly. I dreamed of formulas and giant, man-eating microchips wearing Santa hats.” A pensive frown preceded her statement. “I don’t understand why you won’t sleep in the spare bed.”
“Because I want to see someone coming at us. I hope you like chicken stir fry.” Scrubbing his hand over his bristled jaw, he suggested, “How about a break from all this. I’ve got chicken in the oven that’s almost ready. We can eat before diving into chaos again.”
“Sounds good to me.” Megan took a seat at the kitchen island. “What was it like growing up with four brothers and a sister?”
“Normal. I guess because of our parents’ viewpoints, we grew up close-knit. Each looked out for the other, and we all kept watch over Abby.” Lucas snickered over the times he and his brothers threatened a would-be suitor.
“I’ll bet she loved that.”
“Don’t get me wrong, she’s no wilting flower. She’ll take on a man twice her size, and win. In the courtroom, she’s known as Lady Shark, though no one’s had the nerve to say it to her face or to one of us.”
“You gonna tell me what the prognosis is for your leg?”
Lucas let out a long sigh. If he didn’t face it, sooner or later the backlog of anger and frustration would turn him into a spiteful, mean-tempered cynic. Matt says I’m halfway there.
“They want me to take a medical retirement. I don’t. I can still function even if I can’t run a marathon.” Moving around satisfied his need to be active.
“Would you want to stay in the narcotics division?”
“I was ready for a change, I guess. Then my partner and I ran into a firefight.” Describing the deadly scene in two sentences didn’t do his partner’s memory justice, but the nightmare would replay in his dreams to tease the tiniest details from his memory. Those poignant moments faded away with the last vestiges of sleep to lay dormant for the next torture session.
When he glanced over his shoulder, he no longer witnessed pity, or sympathy. Megan simply studied him as a biologist inspected the contents of a Petri dish.
“Do you still feel guilty?”
“It wasn’t my fault.”
“Do you still feel guilty?”
“No.” Anger thumped the plastic bottle of olive oil on the counter by the cooktop before he added veggies to the wok.
Letting it go, Megan picked up the folder she’d studied earlier. “I went over the reports again, the ones Jackie sent. Combined with what we’ve learned since, I think our assumptions of their short-term goals are on target. What I don’t get is the extensive study on theta waves and suppression of Beta waves”
“What are they?”
“Brain waves. Gamma waves are involved in higher processing tasks and cognitive functioning, learning, memory, and information processing. Too much and you have stress, anxiety, high arousal. Too little and you’re hit with ADHD symptoms, depression, etcetera. Beta waves are involved with conscious thought, logical thinking. An appropriate balance allows us to focus and work through comp
licated tasks. The higher wavelength Beta waves are associated with arousal.”
“They’re obsessed with sex?”
“No, arousal as in caffeinated drinks. Think of them as very fast waves during critical thinking, writing, reading, and problem solving.”
“And theta waves?”
“Theta activity is connected to raw emotions. It’s also a state where information can be rapidly absorbed into the subconscious and bypass the usual mental filters. Images and verbal suggestions are more likely to be accepted and acted upon.”
“I’d think if they were going to create havoc, they’d aim for some type of mindless, chaotic rage.”
“They could come close to that already with aiming the nanos at the hypothalamus and specific areas in the left frontal and temporal lobes of the cortex. This amount of time devoted to brain waves indicates something else, something more. There’s another section of research devoted to the optic chiasm.”
“Optic who?”
“Between the pituitary and hypothalamus. It’s where part of the optic nerves cross. We went over this.”
“Oh yeah, you did mention that earlier. So, they want blind, raging animals? Doesn’t make sense. To what purpose?”
“Don’t know. Hopefully we’ll find out more when I get into the basement. Since their research in Delaware was interrupted, they may not have solidified their plan. Or maybe this is the next phase of testing.”
“This whole thing seems so far-fetched. The idea of using a machine to change the behavior of cells sounds like science fiction.”
“Nonsense. We do it all the time. When you turn up the air conditioning and your body shivers, you’re forcing the body to warm itself. When you touch something hot, your reflexes pull your hand away. Think of your body’s cells as tiny machines. Then think of nanos like machines that are also supervisors.”
“Right. You’re giving me a headache. Here, let’s eat.” Lucas slid a plate on the counter.
“Smells great. I’ve never been a great cook. It just wasn’t a high priority.”
McAllister Justice Series Box Set Volume Two Page 10