“The best thing would be for you to get this little guy into his phone.” He held up a little metal disk. “This is the one thing that would really give us all his secrets. However, you have to open the phone back and set the disk on top of the SIM card, which also requires removal of the battery. And yes, if he opens the phone and removes the battery, he will see it. It is the most risky bug to place, but also the most valuable.”
To get Jericho’s phone from his pocket, I’d have to be very close to him. I’d also have to have an extended amount of time with the phone in order to pull it off. That required me getting close to him twice. Very close. Had I the time, I’d practice on his exact phone until it became second nature to me, but time was one thing I didn’t have. I needed to meet Viktor in an hour at a subway entrance half an hour away.
“Jeremy wants you to stay close to your phone so you can alert us if there’s any trouble. But, you know, don’t get in any trouble, okay? It’s just you and me tonight, which means you’re basically on your own.” His forehead knit slightly, and I was surprised to feel a rush of warmth at his worry. Why was it that Ace worrying about me was charming, and Jeremy worrying about me was irritating as heck?
“It’s going to be fine, Ace. I’ve got this under control,” I said, patting him on his tattooed arm.
He nodded and said, “I’ve got Jericho’s house plans upstairs if you want to take a look.” I followed him up.
“I don’t have a lot of time, but I’ll look really quick.”
“It’ll be good for you to have a general feel for the layout. Of course, we don’t know which bedroom is Jericho’s, but you’ll be able to see where all the bedrooms are. And get this, there are twenty-five, not including the guest and servant houses. He lives in a real mansion. It’s totally sick.”
I glanced through the mansion plans, immediately having them in my memory. I’d sift through them on the drive out there. I thanked Ace and rushed to my room to find something to wear.
The phone in my pocket vibrated. It was a text from Viktor. You almost ready?
I responded. Getting there. My dad is driving me nuts about tonight. He’s ticked you didn’t come meet him. I got the feeling it would be useful if Viktor knew Amber had someone big and strong waiting for her to come home safe and sound.
Parents really can suck. I hope you’re up for a really great night. Jericho puts on the best parties.
I’m excited.
When are you heading for the subway?
I’ll leave in about half an hour. I’ve got to get ready. See you soon.
Can’t wait.
I dressed in layers so that I could easily peel off what I wouldn’t need. I definitely didn’t want to get a chill during the night. I didn’t want any excuses for Viktor to feel the need to pull me in close. I did, however, need to look hot to get Jericho’s attention. If I knew anything about him, it was clear that he liked hot girls. The layers were also a convenient bonus when trying to hide a bunch of surveillance equipment. The cameras were the bulkiest of all, but still only the width of a pencil. I put the most precious bug, the phone bug, into my pocket, taping it to the lining. If the opportunity arose to place it, I needed easy access to it.
As I was heading out the door to catch the subway, my phone vibrated. It was Viktor.
Be ready in ten and don’t go to the subway. I’m picking you up at your house.
What? I texted back.
I’m almost there. Be ready.
Chapter 11
I cursed silently. This couldn’t be happening. I’d texted Viktor about my dad wanting to meet him—it would seem strange now if there was no dad at all. I didn’t want anything to blow my cover, and even something as small as this could cast suspicion on me later. I needed a dad, and I needed one quick.
I shoved my phone into my pocket and ran up the stairs after Ace. I burst into his room, and he looked up from his computer in alarm.
“Ace—I need you.”
“Wha—what’s going on?” Ace sputtered as I raced past him to his closet. I flung it open, then let out a groan of dismay when I found the hangers bare and all the clothes on the floor. I dropped to my knees and pushed through the pile, finding half a dozen pairs of ratty jeans, about ten snarky T-shirts, and three or four knit beanies.
“Dangit, Ace, don’t you have any adult clothes?” I growled, leaping to my feet and heading out of his room, toward Jeremy’s.
“Christy, what are you doing?” Ace laughed, shocked by my strange behavior. “What’s wrong with my clothes? Will you please tell me what’s going on?”
I pulled open Jeremy’s closet and felt a surge of relief. Of course, Jeremy would have suitable attire. I pulled out a long-sleeve plaid oxford shirt and a pair of khaki slacks then thrust them toward Ace, who’d followed me into Jeremy’s room, a look of baffled amusement on his face.
“Put these on,” I said. “I need you to be my dad.”
The half-smile disappeared, and his skin turned white. “Christy, please tell me you’re joking—”
“Viktor is going to be here in,” I consulted my phone. “Six minutes. He’s expecting to meet Amber’s dad.”
“But Christy, I can’t—”
“You said it yourself—it’s just you and me tonight. There’s no one else. I need you, Ace.” I held out Jeremy’s clothes. “Please?”
He swallowed visibly, then held out a shaky hand for the clothes.
I gave them to him and then gripped his arms. “Thank you, Ace. I know you can do this. I’ll do my best to get Viktor in and out, super quick I promise. You don’t even have to say anything. All you have to do is stand there and look scary.”
I ran downstairs and heard muttered curses behind me as Ace changed into Jeremy’s clothes. This had to work. I cringed, remembering Ace’s pale face and wide eyes. If he couldn’t pull this off, I’d have a lot of explaining to do. I paced the floor. The minutes waiting for Viktor to show up dragged on like hours.
Finally, the doorbell rang, and at the same time Ace appeared at the top of the stairs. I was momentarily frozen, staring up at him, the change was so shocking. The plaid shirt covered his tattoos completely, and he’d cinched the slacks up at his waist just enough to indicate maturity without looking ridiculous. He’d also added a blue sweater vest to the ensemble, and it was the perfect touch. His scruffy facial hair was gone, and his hair was slicked down in a nerdy, greasy way that emphasized the slight gray streaks at his temples. He looked ten years older, like he could actually be my dad.
To top it all off, he carried a rifle in his right hand. The change was so over the top, I had to put my hand up to my mouth to stop the laughter bubbling up inside me. He nodded at me, no trace of his earlier fear anywhere on his face. I took a deep breath to get rid of my laughter and steady my nerves and turned to the door.
Ace descended the stairs and came up behind me as I opened the door to find a cleaned up and nicely dressed Viktor standing on the stoop.
I shook my head at Viktor, “How did you find me?”
“The school has a directory. Not difficult.”
I took in a deep breath and glanced back at Ace, who crossed his arms over his chest, making sure Viktor noticed the rifle. A bit over the top maybe, but I had told him to look scary. I’d also promised him I’d keep it short. Well, Viktor had seen my dad; that was all we needed. Time to get out of there.
“All right, well, I guess we’d better be going.”
Viktor nodded, but Ace put a hand on my arm. “Just a minute there, young lady. Why don’t you invite the young man in?” His voice was subtly deeper than I’d ever heard it, and it resonated with confidence.
My jaw almost dropped in total shock, but I managed to turn it into an annoyed teenagerly scowl at the last second. “Dad,” I practically growled, shaking his hand off my arm. “What are you doing? Don’t embarrass me in front of Viktor.”
He ignored me and opened the door wider, stepping close enough to Viktor to make him visibly uncomforta
ble. Viktor shifted on his feet, but didn’t back up.
“So. You’re Viktor?” Ace said. He let his eyes travel over Viktor’s entire body, making it obvious he was judging every last inch of him.
Viktor swallowed hard then nodded, “Yes, sir. Viktor Megolovic.” His eyes flicked to the gun. “Nice to meet you, sir.” Viktor held out his hand.
Ace deliberately set the rifle down against the doorjamb, then took Viktor’s hand firmly in his. Viktor’s eyes rounded as Ace gripped his hand so hard it turned white. Ace pulled him just slightly closer and said, “I just want you to know I’m a certified expert marksman.” He paused a moment to let that sink in before adding, “And I love my daughter.” Then he winked and made a sucking sound out of one side of his mouth and nodded his head before releasing Viktor’s hand.
As it fell to his side, Viktor shook his hand lightly. “Of course, sir. I’ll take good care of her. I promise.” He smiled stiffly at Ace, who nodded gravely.
I fought down the laugh that threatened to burst out of me. I kept up the embarrassed teen act and hurriedly said, “Okay, Dad. I think that’s enough. Viktor, you ready?”
“Yeah,” Viktor said. “My car’s just right down the street.” He pointed toward a large Cadillac Escalade parked in front of a fire hydrant with its hazard lights flashing.
“Bye, Dad. See you around midnight.”
“I expect you to be on your best behavior tonight, Amber. I’ll be waiting up, so check in with me when you get home.”
“I will. Don’t worry. I won’t be late.”
Viktor led me to the passenger side door. I wondered if he was making a show for my dad. After I climbed in, he walked around to his side, opened the door and waved. The windows were tinted, so I got my first glance of the passengers after watching Viktor get in.
He turned the car on, his face a mask of calm. He waved once more as we pulled out into the street, and then he let his true colors show, swearing colorfully. “Amber, could your dad be any worse?”
I hid my face, acting embarrassed. “I doubt it.”
“What happened, Vik? We couldn’t hear. Don’t hold back.” The voice was unfamiliar. I craned my neck to see. Carson and his date sat on the seat directly behind us, along with Mikado and his date, squished together. A boy with a shock of platinum blonde hair and deep blue eyes sat in the seat at the back with a pretty girl with a mass of silky red hair.
The platinum-haired boy was still snickering after asking the question.
Viktor recounted the whole encounter, adding all sorts of belligerent cuss words. Then he turned to me and said, “No wonder you didn’t want me to pick you up at your house.”
I shrugged and gave my best told-you-so look.
“I don’t blame the guy,” Carson said. “If he knew anything about you, he’d never have allowed his precious daughter to go anywhere with you.”
Viktor laughed like Carson had just given him the biggest compliment, ever—further confirmation that I had reason to be wary.
The boy in the back high-fived Carson and said, “That’s right. Parents watch out, Viktor’s in the house.” He and his date laughed it up. “Precious cargo…”
“Hey, I warned you. I wanted to meet you at the subway hole. You should have listened to me.”
“Well, I’m glad that’s over. That dude is psycho.”
“Hey!” I protested. “He is my dad!”
“All I have to say is you better be worth it,” he winked at me, sending another wave of revulsion through me. “I’m done talking about parents now—let’s get this party started!” He cranked up the music, and everyone started screaming along to the songs and throwing their arms in the air, rocking the truck. I played along. I had no doubt my “dad” was a passing memory. So much for the protection I’d hoped to gain. I was on my own.
Chapter 12
It was a good hour and a half to get to Jericho’s house on Long Island because of the terrible traffic. It surprised me on one level that New York, with all its millions of residents, didn’t have wider streets to accommodate more cars, or at least double-decker streets. The subways were packed, the streets were packed. There had to be a better way. With all the people in the city, they should have a better handle on it. Real estate was too expensive to widen the streets, and the truth was the subway was the way to get around the city. Unfortunately, the best way to move around Long Island was in a car.
I never thought I’d find New York as cool as I had. The food was to die for, and there was never a dull moment with all the interesting people and places to see, not to mention all the cool street artists. While I did find a lot of it confusing, it was interesting, and I once again thanked Heaven for my job that took me to such amazing places.
My mouth dropped as we drove up the long driveway to Jericho’s. This boy’s family had money and a lot of it. I knew from the house plans that the place would be big, but I had no idea how stately it would appear. Well-placed lights lit up the exterior stone walls and accents, accentuating the grace and grandeur of the mansion. According to information I’d read on Long Island, most of the mansions out here were built between 1890 and 1930. Of the 1200 built by the extremely wealthy of their eras, only about half still remained. This one smacked of Tudor style, and I fell immediately in love with the extravagant estate.
We arrived at approximately the same time as six other cars, all pulling into the forever-long circular drive right after us. Kids tumbled out, shrieking with delight to be there as the drivers handed valets dressed in black and white suits their keys. The cars disappeared off to the side of the property. Fountains, lavish balconies, and gazebos spotted the well-manicured landscape around us. A sculpture of a beautiful woman, which looked suspiciously like one I’d seen in a garden in Belgium, caught my eye as we walked up the majestic steps to the front door.
Once our feet hit the landing, one of the tall, wide sections of door opened, and we followed another man in the same type of black suit through a chandeliered and marbled grand foyer and into a large reception area. The mission and Viktor and Jericho all flew out of my mind as I entered the lavish building.
We left the shiny, hard marble to step on one of many ornate rugs that seemed to divide varying sections of the room. We’d come upon a large seating area complete with elegant furniture. I ran my hand over the wood of one of the pieces. Although nothing was modern, it felt comfortable and welcoming in the room. Large hot fires raged in all six of the fireplaces around the room. The walls were completely trimmed up with warm wood, not a speck of plastered or sheet-rocked walls to be seen.
Viktor motioned for me to take a seat, and I marveled at the shiny, well-placed chandeliers and lighting that graced the room. Viktor walked right up to the lavish bar and returned with two glasses of some type of cola. I took it with a smile, “Thanks, Viktor, you knew just what I needed.” I pretended to take a drink and then set it on a glass coaster on the side table next to us.
“Hold on there.” He looked around the room before picking my glass up. “Let’s sweeten the pot a little.” He held the glass close to his chest and pulled out a flask from his pocket, splashing some of the liquid into my Coke. That was all it took to bring me back to reality.
“There.” He handed it to me and then did the same to his drink. He clanked his glass against mine and then chugged the Coke, now laced with some type of hard liquor. I pretended to take a few swallows. He leaned into me and whispered, “Jericho’s parents don’t supply the good stuff, but they also don’t forbid it.” He laughed.
“So who’s driving us home?” I said, tapping my fingernail on the side of my glass as I scanned the room for Jericho.
“Me.” He knocked his glass into his chest.
“I don’t think so. Not if you’re going to be drinking.” I set my drink back on the coaster.
“We’re here for four hours. I’ll only drink until this flask is out, and then I’ll sober up. I do it all the time.” His face scrunched up in irritation. “Besides,
maybe it will loosen you up a bit.” He sat next to me and put his arm around me as he took another few swallows of his alcohol-laden drink.
I did worry. If he was impaired in any way when we left, it would be me driving, not him. “I’m pretty sure it will be me driving at the end of the night, and no loosening up is going to be happening. I barely know you.”
“But you will after tonight,” he said, putting his face directly in front of mine, an understated smirk showing on his face. I turned my head away from him and rubbed my hand over the sparkling wood hand rest.
His hand landed on my thigh, and I resisted the urge to pull it away immediately. I couldn’t have him making a scene. I needed to be here. I turned to him, an eyebrow raised. “Look, if you want me to think of you as anything other than a friend, you need to slow down and show me why I’d want that.”
His hand left my knee, and he stood up and flashed his hands in front of his chest. “All you need to know is this.” He took another long haul from his drink and headed back to the bar.
I pulled out my phone and texted a coded message to Ace. These kids are probably going to need someone to drive them home. Find someone from HQ to act as my mom by the time I get back.
The wood in the room sparkled with a luster I’d never seen before—polished to more than just a shine. If I’d wanted to, I was sure I’d be able to see my face perfectly. No mirror needed. I wondered if the bugs would even stick to the slick surface. And if I were lucky enough to have them stick, how long would it be before the staff polished them away? I’d have to be smart in my placement of the bugs for sure. I’d have to put them somewhere the servants wouldn’t accidentally come upon.
I found it curious that the various seating areas each offered a slightly different feel—from bold to sedate and relaxing. Even with thirty kids sitting and standing about, the room felt spacious. My spidey senses were calm. That realization left me to wonder about Jericho’s family. Were they good people, and he was the rotten apple on the tree? Was it possible to be truly good parents and have a sociopath son or daughter? Viktor stood talking to a thin, blond boy. Viktor postured, as always, but the boy seemed relaxed and calm.
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