by Raven Scott
But Lucas was already shaking his head.
“We’re not taking anything with us from here. Everyone needs to believe that the engine was destroyed and the projects is dead. Including the shop employees. So everything stays here except the rechargeable battery.”
Alex didn’t know what to say. Her brain was suddenly frozen from the overwhelming amount of details that would need to be planned and executed. Was this even possible? Had she let her stubborn pride and determination drive her too far?
“Lex.” She looked up at Lucas as he said her name gently, the beautiful face softened with support. “It’s going to be fine. You’ll have the whole Fortis team at your disposal. Just step back and list out everything you need to make it happen. I’ll take care of everything else.”
She let out a deep breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“Okay. Okay.” Alex felt calmer after each utterance.
Lucas nodded and gave a hint of that sexy smile.
“You’ll have the next three to four hours. Then we’ll take you home so you can pack a bag and get a little sleep,” he added. “Lance, Ned, I need a drink. Let’s check out that bar in the west end, and see how our new friend Petrov is doing.”
Alex watched the Fortis team get ready to leave, her mouth agape. Ned unlocked and opened a large, silver trunk by the back wall, which seemed to have an endless supply of small weaponry. Each of the three men added a second gun to what they already wore, plus a few other bits of metal concealed under their clothes. A few minutes later, they filed out of the room, looking fierce and formidable.
“Wait,” Alex called as she started following them out into the hallway. “I can’t just take off for weeks without an explanation. What do I tell my cousin, my brothers?”
“Use your imagination,” Lucas replied over his shoulder. “After all the hard work and stress you’ve been under, I’m sure you need a long vacation. Choose somewhere tranquil or exotic.”
Then he and the other two agents were gone out the back entrance through the shop.
“How about a yoga retreat in Thailand?”
Alex looked back at Michael to see if he was serious.
“I don’t do yoga.”
“Then you’re going to learn. It’s great for stress management,” the agent stated, barely looking up from whatever he was reviewing on the computer.
“What about Europe?” Marco added. “Start in France, then travel to Italy and Spain. That would eat up a few weeks for sure.”
“Sightseeing by myself?” It did have some appeal, Alex thought.
“Sure, why not?” stated Marco. “No one who knows you will think twice about it, trust me. You are a bit of a loner, you know.”
It was true, it wasn’t the first time she had taken off alone for a last-minute trip. Never for more than a weekend or a few days, but then again, she never had her biggest accomplishment destroyed by arson before.
“Okay, Europe it is,” she finally agreed. “I guess I should go start working on that list of parts and supplies.”
Michael stood up and walked over to her with a card in his hand.
“Here is a secure e-mail address you should use to send us your requirements. Use it for anything related to the rebuild going forward,” he outlined. “Then once you’ve told people where you’re going, we’ll create a full online experience to back it up.”
Alex didn’t really know what that meant, but took the card. She walked slowly down the hall to her office at the other end, feeling the heavy weight of her decision and the task ahead on her shoulders.
“Are you okay?” Marco asked as he followed her into the room.
Alex let out a deep, long breath followed by a humorless laugh.
“Jesus, Markie, I just can’t wrap my brain around this craziness,” she finally admitted. “It’s just a car motor. I mean, I know it’s different from anything out there on the market right now. And sure, it has great potential. But it’s still just a motor and a drivetrain, and we’re such a small shop. Why would anyone want to go through all this trouble to destroy it?”
She buried her head in her hands out of sheer frustration.
“What am I doing? Why did I pursue this?” she continued. “I’m about to disappear for weeks to rebuild this stupid thing. Why? To prove that I can? That I’m as good as or better than a male engineer?”
“Alex,” Marco tried to interrupt, using a tone meant to calm her down.
“God, my dad was right. I really am that person, aren’t I? Always reaching for something outside of my grasp, taking more risks that I should,” she muttered. “What’s wrong with me?”
“Alex, there’s nothing wrong with you,” Marco interjected, standing in front of her to offer a comforting presence. “You’re smart and ambitious. Those are good things and you shouldn’t need to hide them. From anyone. And if you want to rebuild the Cicada despite all the challenges, then that makes you brave, too.”
Alex looked up at him with watery, red eyes, really wanting to believe the wonderful things he was saying.
“Is it worth it, though? The time? The cost? You’ve hired a band of frigging gun-toting mercenaries!”
Marco grinned.
“They are not mercenaries, they are security specialists. The best in their field, from what I’ve been told.”
“Fine, gun-toting security specialists.”
He laughed. She felt marginally better.
“Seriously though, Alex. You don’t have to do this,” he continued. “Like I said earlier, we’ll just reinvest in one of the other combustion engines for the June race.”
“What about the investors? They’re expecting a new hybrid to be launched, and they’re already getting antsy for more details,” she protested.
“Let me worry about the investors. We’ve been conservative with our cost, so they’ll all at least break even.”
Alex bit her lip. He was giving her a window, a free ticket out of crazy town. She should grab it in both hands and run with it. Move on, work on other smaller projects, and get a life. That’s what made sense. But Alex couldn’t say the words. She looked back at Marco and just couldn’t do it.
She didn’t want to give up and walk away. She had set an objective, dedicated over two years toward it, and refused to allow some unknown force to stop her before the finish line. Alex wanted to see her Cicada launched into the marketplace, and be a part of revolutionizing the auto industry. And she was prepared to do whatever it took to make that happen.
“I want to rebuild it,” she finally told Marco, who did not look at all surprised.
“Good,” he replied with a tolerant smile. “Then let’s get to work.”
They spent the next two and a half hours creating a detailed list on her iPad of all parts, equipment, and supplies needed to create a small, stand-alone fabrication shop. Alex then copied the full design schematics for the electric motor, lithium-ion batteries, and all the customized and modified components that connected them.
“I’m sure I’m missing something,” Alex admitted after a long pause spent just staring into space.
“Like Lucas stated, just focus on what you need to get started,” Marco reminded her. “Then they can order other things as you identify them.”
“I guess. But we’ll be on a really tight timeline. Some of this stuff can take weeks to get if they’re on back order,” she reminded him.
“Something tells me Fortis can get their hands on anything required,” he interjected. “So don’t stress about it, Alex.”
There was a knock on her open office door, and Michael was standing in the entry.
“Lucas and the team will be back here in about fifteen minutes,” he announced.
“Did they get any information about who hired those guys to set the fire?” Marco asked.
“They’ll provide an update when they arrive,” Michael explained.
“I can’t wait, unfortunately,” Marco advised them. “I’m already pretty late for an engagement
with one of our clients. Can you ask Lucas to give me a call with the details?”
“No problem,” confirmed Michael. “Alex, how are you coming along with the list?”
She sat up and took a deep breath and looked at her watch. It was about ten minutes after seven o’clock. This was it, there was no going back.
“I think I’m done. I’ll send it to the e-mail address now,” she told him.
“Good. Let’s also pack up the rechargeable battery,” he instructed.
Alex took her keys out of her purse and unlocked the cabinet next to her desk. She took out the battery and new power converter and handed them over to the agent.
“If you want to make a few phone calls, now is a good time to do it,” suggested Michael. “Then Lucas will take you home to pack for the trip.”
Then he was gone, leaving Alex and Marco alone. It was time to say good-bye.
“You won’t know where I am,” she stated softly.
“I know, but we’ll stay in touch,” he replied, reassuringly. “We’ll come up with some code words for the project so you can keep me updated on your progress.”
Alex smirked, appreciating his effort to lighten the moment.
“Sure. I’ll pretend I’ve discovered a new appreciation for wine, so you can ask me how I’m doing on a tour of the major wineries across southern Europe,” she elaborated.
“See! You’re pretty good at this,” exclaimed Marco, his eyes sparkling.
There was a long pause.
“It will be fine, Alex. You’re in good hands,” he finally added.
Alex nodded, suddenly emotional. They hugged.
“Thank you,” she whispered into his ear with one final squeeze to his shoulders.
“For what? Profiting from your genius?” Marco teased when they stepped apart.
“Whatever,” she dismissed with a wave of her hand. “For believing in me, investing in my crazy ideas.”
“That’s the easy part. Dealing with your temperamental bossiness, and high-maintenance demands? That’s what you should be grateful for.”
Alex opened her mouth with outrage and slapped him on the arm. Marco laughed.
“Send me a note a soon as you can?” he finally asked.
“I will.”
Then he was gone and Alex was alone. She checked her watch again. Only about ten minutes left. She walked over to her desk and took out her cell phone from her purse to make a few phone calls.
“Hi, Dad,” she started when he picked up the phone. “Did you enjoy the wedding?”
“Hey, Alex. It was a really good time,” he replied in his low, slow voice. “You looked really nice.”
“Thanks. No comments about how weird it was for Shawn to have a girl as his best man?”
Her dad chuckled, used to her teasing him about all the things that were very untraditional about his daughter’s life.
“Yeah, it’s a first for me. But different times, I guess.”
Alex smiled. He really was trying to let her live her life with no rules.
“Dad, I’m going to take off for a last-minute vacation,” she finally stated, biting her lip in anticipation of his reaction.
“Really? Where’re you going?”
“Europe, for a few weeks.”
“That long, eh? Is everything okay?” he asked with some concern in his voice.
“I just need a break, that’s all,” Alex explained with some honesty. “That big project I’ve been working on? It’s dead. So I’m going to enjoy some downtime.”
“Dead? What happened?”
Alex paused, uncertain of how much she should reveal.
“There was a small fire at the shop, and it destroyed the prototype. And there just isn’t enough time to start over.”
“Oh baby, I’m sorry to hear that,” her dad exclaimed. “How bad was the damage?”
“It was limited, thank God.” She looked at her watch, conscious of the fact that she would have to go soon. “Anyway, Dad, I just wanted to let you know about my trip. I’m leaving tomorrow, but I’ll stay in touch while I’m gone. Okay?”
“Sure, sweetheart. You deserve to relax and have some fun for once. So have a good time.”
“Thanks, Dad. Love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
Alex hung up with a mix of melancholy and relief. Then she made the next call.
“Adrian?”
“Hey, Lex, what’s up?” replied her twin brother.
“What would you say if I took off for a few weeks? On an extended vacation?”
“Cool. Where to?”
“Europe.”
“Nice,” he exclaimed. “Does this have anything to do with the new boyfriend?”
“No! And he’s not my boyfriend,” she insisted.
“Whatever,” he dismissed, clearly not hearing her. “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Wow, that fast.”
“I know. It was a last-minute thing,” she conceded, hoping he wouldn’t ask more questions.
“Okay. Well, have fun and keep us posted on where you are,” he insisted “And don’t forget to bring me back something.”
Alex smiled. Typical Adrian.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
CHAPTER 15
“Petrov hasn’t left the building and the car is still parked in the back,” Michael confirmed though the earpiece Lucas and the other agents were wearing.
“We haven’t seen him yet, so maybe he’s in the kitchen or an office in the back?” Lucas suggested.
He and Ned were sitting at the bar in the small pub in the west end of Toronto. They had arrived about fifteen minutes earlier and ordered draft beers. Lance stayed in the truck to provide eyes on the outside.
“Any sign of his partner in crime?” Michael asked.
“Negative,” Ned mumbled in a low voice. “There are five men in here, including the bartender. But none fit the general description.”
“Well, let’s settle in, boys. See what develops in the next hour or so,” Lucas instructed.
He and Ned then spent a stretch of time making small talk and nursing their drinks while remaining vigilant about their environment. The bar was in a trendy part of the city near the lakeshore among a string of boutiques and other restaurants, and the area was pretty busy on an early Saturday evening. The five patrons quickly doubled, then tripled as the dinner crowd started to trickle in. Yet none of the men who entered the establishment looked like the second man in the arson video, or the person who had hired their services.
The six o’clock news came on, broadcast on a large television behind the bar. They started with local city events, including a fire at a closed auto shop in the downtown core. The anchor read a press release from the fire marshal, putting up a picture of the Magnus Motorsports building. He noted that the cause had not yet been determined, but that the investigation was ongoing.
Lucas and Ned listened to the summary of what they already knew and watched the room for any telling response to the story. The bartender didn’t pause to look up, and no one else seated at the bar or at the dining table looked particularly interested. Except an older man sitting on his own at a table in the back, nearest to the kitchen. He took out his phone and made a call while his eyes never left the television screen.
“We have some action,” Ned stated quietly into his earpiece, where the other Fortis agents were connected. “Image coming.”
The agent then lifted his cell phone as though responding to something on it, quickly snapped three photos, and e-mailed them to Michael.
“Got it,” Michael confirmed within a few minutes. “Searching the database.”
“Is this your doing?” Lucas asked Ned with a nod up to the news broadcast.
“I may have mentioned to the marshal that the public may have seen something that would be helpful to the case,” Ned admitted.
They were both former Secret Service agents, and having worked many cases together over the ye
ars, employed similar methodology.
“Good move. Public confirmation that the deed was done successfully,” Lucas stated.
“Hopefully, it helps remove the heat from Magnus and Cotts, and gives us some breathing room.”
“Hopefully,” Lucas agreed though his tone was skeptical and laden with concern.
Ned looked at him hard then touched his earpiece to put it on mute. Lucas noted the move and did the same.
“Do want to tell me what’s going on with Cotts?” Ned finally asked in a low tone.
“What are you talking about?” asked Lucas, doing his best to seem unfazed.
“You called her Lex today,” Ned replied. “Twice. We’ve worked together for a long time, Lucas. Protected a lot of people over the years. I’ve never seen you call an asset by a nickname.”
Lucas took a drink of beer then carefully put down his cup. He knew exactly what Ned was referring to. He had known the moment he felt Alex’s fear and apprehension in his gut and let his professional guard down.
“It’s nothing,” he told Ned. “I had met her briefly before arriving at Magnus, and she had introduced herself as Lex. The name just stuck, that’s all.”
“It’s no biggie. Just curious,” Ned replied, shrugging and taking a drink of his own. “She’s a very attractive woman. We both know shit happens in this job.”
Lucas definitely knew that. Now thirty-one years old, he’d gotten into the security-consulting business in his freshman year at MIT. Fifteen years later, he understood that an effective protective strategy for vulnerable people often meant extremely close contact in stressful, dangerous environments. That occasionally led to an artificial sense of intimacy that was hard to resist.
There was nothing in the unwritten rule book against relationships with clients or assets, as long as it didn’t cloud judgment or impede the mission. While Lucas hadn’t gotten physically involved with a woman during an assignment, he had seen it happen on occasion. His friend and partner Evan had met his girlfriend, Nia, just last year on his first mission with Fortis, and their relationship had survived the ordeal.