Caitlin's Conspiracies

by Mariella Starr

  “You’re no fun,” she teased.

  “This isn’t playtime, Kid,” Blake agreed. “Out with it!”

  Caitlin rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “I’m such a delicate little innocent. I shouldn’t be exposed to this. Give me your phone.”

  Blake handed over his phone, and she punched in a search and handed it back to him. Both he and Chase watched what could only be classified as a porn video. Clearly, it featured Clifford Stevens being serviced by a very large-breasted, blonde woman, and then the blond was replaced by what looked to be a very young man. The picture was clear, the audio was crisp although definitely x-rated.

  Both men looked at Caitlin not knowing exactly what to say about the video.

  “He posted this?” Chase challenged.

  “It looks like he did,” Caitlin answered. “It was uploaded from his computer on his account.”

  “Do I want to know how you managed to do that?” Blake asked.

  “Probably, not. Any computer can be remotely controlled,” Caitlin said. “The trick is to get in and out without leaving trace evidence that you’ve been there. That’s why it’s dangerous to leave a computer online without the right safeguards built into the security. Sweet Clifford has a whole secret folder of these videos on a detachable hard drive and six of them have already been uploaded for sharing on social media. He’s seems to be so proud of his sexual activities. It’s too bad his little wiener doesn’t seem up to the task most of the time. Let’s see him talk his way out of this. I’ve laid down the gauntlet. He’s also been issued a warning from cyberspace. Oh, don’t give me that look! It can’t be traced except to the Netherlands this time. Stevens has five days to come up with five million dollars. If he doesn’t, six more videos will be uploaded, including some featuring what may be underage individuals. They certainly look young. ”

  “Fucking sick bastard,” Blake exclaimed.

  “Double that,” Chase exclaimed.

  “Quadruple that,” Caitlin added. “It’s a fake threat, but he can’t report it as an attempt at extortion, because the videos are real and I have copies of them. If he thinks I’ll do it, Stevens will come. With the upload of the six that have already been released, he’ll believe it.

  He knows we’re here. Stanley Cramer and Felix Dunbar are already in the area. By tapping into some very badly secured camera surveillance, I have identified them as being in Concrete at the Oceanside Inn. They’re using aliases and the hotel surveillance cameras aren’t the best, but I’m sure it’s them from their photos on their P.I. state licenses. They’ve probably already tried to scope the security setup here but haven’t decided how to breech it. We want them because they blew up Chase’s place, but I want Clifford Stevens’ more. I thought he was dirty before but after what I’ve found out about him now, I want that sick bastard humiliated and taken down to face every single charge. That’s why I issued the demand for blood money. I want Clifford Stevens here, in person, and what I’ve got on him will get him here.”

  Chase and Blake looked at one another.

  “You should have cleared this with us before going this far,” Chase admonished.

  “You might have gone up the channels with it,” Caitlin said. “You said it, Chase. The agencies have to work within the law. I don’t, and unless you’re prepared to arrest me this is our best shot at getting him here. I don’t want to sit around forever waiting for these guys. Cramer and Dunbar have already found us and have probably scoped out the security. They’ll try to attempt to breech the security here. That’s pretty much a given. If they’re not the arsonists, they’ll soon make contact with them. I’ve already tapped those sources but the less you know the better. If we’re lucky, we’ll be able to prove complicity between the PI’s, the arsonists, and Stevens. We have to have enough surveillance to catch them on film.

  I think I should create breaches in the security that will look like hardware malfunctions. I’ll lay odds that either the PI’s or the arsonists have the equipment to be able to find them. When they do, they’ll probably try to torch the place like they did Chase’s. There’s enough distance between the two incidences that they won’t worry about law enforcement being able to link the two separate fires. Except from what I researched, professional arsonists generally use the same methods and that’s what trips them up when they are caught. If you can set it up right, those guys can be taken off the playing field before Stevens gets here. He’s still in Virginia issuing statements to the press on how he’s being framed. If we can catch the guys that are here now, then we’ll only have to worry about Stevens.

  I’ve already issued the lure to get Clifford Stevens here. He has a huge ego. If he’s figured out that I’m behind his problems, he’ll want to come after me. He’s smart, but he’ll never believe that I can outsmart him. I know it sounds like my ego is super-sized too, but I can outsmart him. I only need to get him here. It’s up to you guys to catch him.”

  “You’re downright scary,” Blake said. “I’m with you on the false breaches. If the investigators or the arsonists - they might be one and the same - are able to find the breaches thinking we aren’t aware of them, they will definitely make a try to get inside the parameters. Who knows how much security is in this place?”

  “Only us.

  “What about whoever installed it or the previous owner?” Chase asked.

  “The previous owner committed suicide fourteen months ago. His paranoia got the better of him. He drove his car into a bridge abutment. The company that installed the security is defunct. It went out of business nine months after the house was built. That was a shame too, because they were really good. I’ve already found the designer of the system. He’s living in Japan. I can’t find the installer. He’s not in the system anywhere. I’ve tried to trace him through the Internet, the prison systems, the IRS. He hasn’t paid taxes in three years but I couldn’t find any death records. He had a previous problem with addiction, both drugs and alcohol. So he’s either changed his name, he’s on the streets, or he’s left the country.

  With the right equipment and expert knowledge, an intellectual and mechanical guess can be made based on the extent of the equipment here. There’s no way anyone could find out how much of the system is being monitored. The infrared beams, laser beams systems and heat sensitive cameras triggers are well-hidden and the wiring is all underground.”

  “I’m going to have to bring Hank in on this.” Blake said. “We need to get a court order fast for Stevens’ home computer for forensic evidence on possible sex crimes, and I’ll bet he’s got those detachable drives hidden well. What you’ve stolen won’t be admissible in court. I’m not sure what the legal standing would be on the stuff loaded on the Internet. It might be permissible if it was proven that the uploads were done from his computers. How sure are you of your hacking skills? I don’t want you to get caught in the loop, and don’t underestimate our guys because they’re pretty damn good!”

  “Even if someone got a trace on me it would lead them on a merry chase that would end in China, and I keep changing my trace locations, in case someone is that good,” Caitlin answered seriously. “Currently, our laws prevent our agency guys from infiltrating foreign systems, although foreign laws don’t reciprocate the courtesy.”

  Blake looked at Chase. “Okay, I’m definitely bringing Hank in. Can you download copies of what is out on the Internet and the other videos? Even if it’s not permissible in court, it should be enough to justify a search and seizure warrant. Porn is one thing. Anything involving underage victims is something else. If we can find that young man in the video, and if he was underage at the time, we’ve still got Stevens.”

  “We’re going to need extra manpower if we set up a sting to catch the arsonists.” Chase said.

  “Unless Stevens gets here soon, I think we should treat this as two separate operations,” Blake said. “First we knock out the PI’s or arsonists, although seriously, I think they are one and the same. The Kid hasn’t found any othe
r major outlay of money except to those two.”

  Blake turned his attention to Caitlin. “You said Stevens is still in Virginia. We’re going to have to verify that. We’re also going to need a tail on Stevens.”

  “I’ve already taken care of that,” Caitlin said.

  Both men looked at her, weary from her interference, but not surprised.

  “Remember the bug you planted on me?” Caitlin said to Chase. “Well a similar one has been planted on him. Unknown to him, he’s bouncing signals off a satellite.”

  “What’s bugged?” Blake demanded. “What are the chances of him ditching it or finding it?”

  Caitlin shrugged. “What do we keep with us, all the time, even if we don’t need them? His key ring is bugged. Even if he’s not driving or not going home, those keys are important and not something that anyone would randomly discard. Even if he has to go through scanners, his keys, the key fobs and the bug will not set off the sensors.”

  “Good choice,” Chase nodded pulling his keys out, as did Blake.

  “How? No, never mind,” Blake said with a shake of his head. “I don’t want to know.”

  “Good, choice,” Caitlin said wryly.

  Blake went outside to contact his superior and Caitlin and Chase returned to the monitoring room.

  “You haven’t said much,” Caitlin said quietly.

  “I think, I’m still in shock,” Chase said drawing her into a tight hug. “When this mess is over, I’m going to work myself into a real fit of indignation over all these schemes and conspiracies and hacking and pretend blackmail and extortion, and whatever else you’ve been doing. I’ll warn you now; I’m probably going to take it out on your backside. For right now though, I’m going along with the plan and however it develops in that devious mind of yours. As long as I can keep you safe, that’s the only thing that is important. How do you keep all that stuff in that pretty little head of yours?”

  Caitlin’s head shot up and clipped his chin. “That was an extremely sexist remark!”

  Chase chuckled. “I know, but I love that pretty little head of yours as much as I love the rest of you.”

  Caitlin giggled, and Chase pushed her back away from him. “Do that again!”

  “What?”

  “Giggle,” he said smiling. “I’ve never heard you giggle before.”

  Chapter 14

  Caitlin meandered out of the bedroom, stretching and yawning and heading straight for the coffee pot. Chase was taking his shift in the monitoring room, she supposed Blake was getting some sleep. She realized she was wrong, as she looked out the window and saw Blake driving his black SUV rental out the driveway. He was probably off to make contact with someone through one of several local agencies that had been pulled into the sting.

  Blake and Chase had a tendency to try to keep her out of the loop as much as they could. Every time she complained, she got those steady, ‘Me, Tarzan’ looks from them. She was surprised they didn’t start beating their chests.

  She shrugged and smiled. She didn’t mind Chase doing his ‘Me, Tarzan’ bit to a certain point. His ribs were still causing him pain, but their sex life was steadily improving. She’d heard about ‘wild jungle sex’ but she hadn’t experienced it until recently, and she liked it - a lot.

  She filled two mugs and headed down to the monitor room.

  “Where did Blake head off to?” she asked as she handed Chase his coffee.

  “We got some activity last night. Two some bodies were scouting the parameter electronics. It was hard to tell who it was because they were outfitted in military get-up, night camouflage, so they were pretty covered up.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me up?” Caitlin demanded.

  Chase gave a scant shake of his head. “They haven’t tried to breach it yet and probably won’t until tonight at the earliest. I’m thinking now that Blake is right and our errant PI’s are moonlighting as arsonists. Cramer at least has had some demolition training in the military. Blake’s headed out to get some assistance. We have to keep the local agency guys informed. Hank is dealing with those details. If you step out of your jurisdiction and into someone else’s territory, it gets sticky. I watched some of those videos last night. I knew Stevens was dirty, I didn’t know he was filth!”

  “It’s my turn at the controls,” Caitlin offered. “Try to get a nap in.”

  Chase pulled her close and kissed. “Naps aren’t any fun if you’re not there.”

  Caitlin laughed, but she pushed him away. “Head out big guy, there may be fireworks tonight.”

  “Which kind?” he asked heading for the door.

  “If you’re real lucky both kinds,” Caitlin teased over her shoulder as she put the headphones on. She heard the door shut. She was scanning the monitors when his hands came around her waist and lifted her to her feet.

  Chase removed the headphones, unsnapped her jeans and began to peel them down her hips.

  “What about…”

  “Nothing going to happen at this time of the morning,” Chase mumbled as he pulled her T-shirt over her head and tossed it aside. “This won’t take long because I need you now!”

  Fast wasn’t normally his style, but his need was urgent. With a tug on his jeans, Caitlin released a full erection that was rock hard muscle. She wanted that in her as much as he needed to get in her. With a heave, he set her up on a console, laid her back, pushed her legs up and over his shoulders, and took her into his mouth. It was a feeding frenzy that had her arching her back and crying out as he lifted her up for better access. When she was about to explode he lowered her back down and entered her hard. Caitlin came, her body releasing that amazing feeling of relief, but he didn’t stop. If anything, the pace picked up. His hands were now roaming, his rough thumb pads stroking her nipples, going back to her colitis and making her writhe with the need of another orgasm, and another. As he came, he moaned as he tried to extend that moment of pleasure that never, ever lasted long enough.

  Chase collapsed on top of her, his breathing erratic. “I want a lifetime of that,” he moaned and took her mouth and began the dance of tongues that excited them both.

  “Don’t you dare start something that you can’t finish,” Caitlin gasped.

  “After that, I won’t be good for at least another hour,” Chase laughed. “You my beauty don’t have the limitations of my male body. You, I can make come, over and over.”

  “Do it,” Caitlin breathed. “Only do it on a softer surface.”

  Chase laughed. “You wish is my command.”

  Except for their very interesting morning activities, Caitlin and Chase spent a long boring day watching the monitors.

  Chase took a long walk and used one of the disposable phones to call his parents and check up on his mother before resting up ahead of his next shift-watching monitors.

  Blake didn’t show up until late evening. He pulled a long silver van into the garage, and closed the garage door. As he walked into the kitchen, he was followed by eight men, all dressed in black. Blake made the introductions. “These guys are from an elite private firm that sometimes contracts out to various agencies for special duty. They’re all SWAT trained. They’re our takedown team. After dark, they’ll deploy to the three security breach positions. I hope that tonight will be the night. Meanwhile, there are stack of pizzas in the van.”

  “I’ll get them,” Caitlin said, but she was caught and stopped by Blake.

  “Until further notice, Kid, you don’t leave the house, not even for the garage.”

  “I’m part of the takedown team,” Caitlin protested.

  “No, you’re not,” Chase said, taking over Blake’s hold on her and pulling her out of hearing range of the other team members. “Technically, you’re the bait. Cait, ninety percent of what you’ve been doing is off the books. We know nothing. If there’s a takedown tonight, you will be in the panic room.”

  Assessing Caitlin’s mood as sudden fury, Chase, got a grip on her arm and propelled her out of the kitchen, dow
n the hallway and into the bedroom. “This is not negotiable, Caitlin. We know what you’ve pulled off and we’re amazed by it, even if most of it has been as illegal as hell. Officially, we know nothing. If there is a takedown, it has to be by the book - our book - where every T is crossed and every I is dotted. That’s how we work. It goes into court clean with an evidence trail that can’t be disputed.”

  “But…”

  “You’re a civilian,” Chase snapped. “Blake is the primary in charge on this job. If Blake wants you in the panic room, that’s where you’ll go. If he tells me to go there, that’s where I’ll go. It’s his call.”

  Caitlin very much doubted that Blake would give Chase that order, but she clamped her mouth shut. She knew secrets about the security systems that neither of them knew. Only she knew about the hidden door to an escape tunnel. The ventilation shaft for the panic room wasn’t large but she could fit through it. It had been designed as an emergency escape. Both Blake and Chase were too large to fit through it, but the man who’d had the house built could, and so could she. They might lock her in, but they couldn’t keep her in.

  Chase made sure that he kept Caitlin isolated from the auxiliary teams. He hadn’t been kidding about Blake being in charge. Everything had to be done according to plan, according to procedure and code. He suspected they were in for a very long night of surveillance. It could possibly take days, even weeks for whoever had shown up the previous night to show up again.

  Nothing could have less true.

  Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum - as one of the men on the surveillance detail named the intruders - were spotted less than three hours after dark. It was a short wait, as night vision cameras recorded their breach of the parameters. The teams gave the intruders twenty-four minutes and let them set up four charges on the outside of the house before apprehending them. Part of the team moved in to photograph, detail, log and remove the denotation devices. The basic black duffle bags they had carried in were carefully searched. Three more denotation devices were found, and those were also photographed and logged. While two of the team members held the would-be arsonists Cramer and Dunbar face down in the dirt, Blake made contact with his superiors. Within an hour, a team from the Oregon District Branch of Marshals was deployed. The takedown of the Cramer and Dunbar took less than three hours. The final disposition of evidence, removal of the suspects, and questioning took five.