by Mel LeBrun
She sat back in her seat and drank some more of her beer. “If you get your life back. Will you go back to work?”
It was a question he had thought a lot about over the years he'd spent on the run. He didn't know the answer. Part of him wanted to get out of the life, but at the same time it was all he knew. “I don't know.”
“I don't think Summer could live like that.” Her mood turned sullen.
“Me either.” He looked at her curious as to why she was suddenly so sad. “You care a lot about her, don't you?”
“I hardly get to see her, but she's still my best friend.”
“Six years,” he remarked.
“Not that long.”
Michael's heart stopped. Jessica had told him she hadn't been to the club in six years.
“How long then?” he asked, not betraying any hint of the underlying fury that was building in him.
“Um. It's been maybe a year. Before that, we probably saw each other once every six months or so.”
“Is that the only time you two get to talk or do you talk outside of that?” He was seething but didn't let it show. It took every ounce of self control he had not to run to the back room and blast Jessica for not telling him all of this.
“We talk on the phone.”
Michael forced a smile. “And of course, there's always email.”
She chuckled. “Not as much as you'd think. I know we're hackers and all, but I prefer talking.”
“Would you excuse me?” He suddenly stood up and walked briskly into the backroom.
“Uh, sure,” Jinx replied, confused by his rude exit.
Within seconds, there was a mass exodus from the office. Only Jessica and Michael remained behind. Everyone looked worried and confused.
Jinx became concerned. She stood up. “What's going on?”
“You got me,” Suki replied. “He just came in and ordered everyone out. He looked really angry.”
“What were you talking about?” Kevin asked her.
Jinx didn't want to answer. She was petrified that she had said something to get Jessica in trouble. She just looked at the office door and then back at Kevin.
JESSICA SAW the look on Michael's face when he entered the room and knew immediately what was coming next. She wasn't sure what caused it, but there was no doubt he was angry with her for something. He ordered everyone out. No one dared to question him.
“You said you hadn't seen these people in six years.” Michael's voice was remarkably tempered considering how he was feeling.
“I never said that,” she quickly countered. She had only said that she hadn't been to the club in six years. She didn't say she hadn't seen any of the people since then.
“You implied it and you know it.” He didn't let her off that easy.
Not having a comeback for that, she crossed her arms and looked down at the floor.
Michael stepped towards her and stood just inches from her with his hands on his hips looking down at her. The move was extremely intimidating, as it was meant to be. She swallowed hard, but didn't look up at him. Her hands started shaking and she felt lightheaded.
“Who else have you had contact with?”
“I saw Suki a few years ago and talked with him a couple times on the phone over the years.”
“What about on the Internet?”
“I only email Jinx.”
He looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath trying to calm himself.
“Michael, I didn't tell you because I knew you would freak out.”
“And why do you think that is?” he shouted. “You're playing with people's lives!”
“When I said I was ninety-nine percent certain they couldn't connect me to this place, I was also talking about the people, not just the club.”
“You talk to Jinx on the phone and email!” He was really getting frustrated.
She shook her head. “I use a burn phone and we both use proxy servers. I don't see any way they could connect us.”
“What's a proxy server?”
“A proxy is basically a server you use so that your IP remains anonymous. We route through a couple different ones to make it nearly impossible to trace.”
“You use the same email account that you did for Alex?”
Jessica didn't respond which in itself was a response.
“Great.” Michael turned his back to her. “You said it's nearly impossible to trace. Does that mean it can be?”
She didn't respond to that question either.
He looked back at her. “Answer the question!”
“They would have to know what they were looking for.”
“Like the computer you used at the cafe? The one you checked your email from Alex with?” he said, his tone filled with biting sarcasm. “Do you really think they would leave that stone unturned?”
Jessica felt like she was going to be sick. It hadn't occurred to her that they might be able to find Jinx because of Alex's email. It wasn't clear if they even knew of the email account but if they did, then they could conceivably connect Jinx to her.
“Your overconfidence is going to get someone killed.” Michael looked at her disgusted. “She's not safe and this place is compromised. We can't come back here, ever.”
“I'm sorry, Michael.” Her voice trembled and her hands shook.
He put up his hand and shook his head. “Don't.”
He looked her square in the eyes. “You've done this one too many times.”
He walked out of the room leaving her there. She stood for a few seconds wiping tears away and then slowly walked out after him.
Michael emerged from the office and everyone turned their attention to him. He looked extremely agitated and it put everyone on edge. Jessica soon joined him, looking nervous and sick.
“What's going on?” Kevin asked.
Michael looked around at everyone and then finally at Jinx. “Jinx may have been compromised. She's not safe. And neither is this place. No one can come back here.” He turned his attention to Kevin. “You need to erase any trace of what we're planning off those computers and of your communication with the other hackers.”
Kevin nodded nervously and turned to Snipe. “I'll need your help.” The two disappeared into the back room.
Michael stepped closer to Jinx who now looked just as nervous and sick as Jessica.
“What is it?” she asked.
“There's a chance they could find you through the email account you use to talk to Summer. You're going to have to stay with us. You can't go home.”
Jinx was stunned. “All right, but I need to get a few things.”
“No. You can't go back.”
“You don't understand, I'm diabetic. I need to get my medication and supplies.”
“Don't you carry that with you?”
“Not all of it. I only carry enough for a day or two at most.” She was shaking and started to cry.
“Okay, calm down. We'll get your medication even if I have to steal it. You'll have what you need, don't worry about it.”
“We don't even know that they've made the connection.” Jessica put her arm around Jinx.
“We don't know they haven't either,” he countered.
“Wouldn't something have happened by now?” she reasoned.
“You know what, don't even talk to me about it. I am so angry with you.” He turned and walked to the other side of the room.
Kevin and Snipe returned from sweeping their tracks. “All set,” Kevin announced. “I even went in and deleted the server logs. Everything is clean.”
“Good,” Michael replied. “Next time we meet, will have to be in the building you're setting up. From now on, everyone is going to have to follow some new rules. No one comes back here. When we meet again, make sure you're not followed. Drive in circles, speed up and slow down. Drive like you don't know the area or that you're lost. Anyone following you should stick out. Obviously, don't come then.” Everyone looked panic-stricken. “There is no reason to panic j
ust yet, but you all need to be cautious. Try to keep contact between yourselves to a minimum. Maybe get new phones. Any questions?”
“Should we set the next meet time now?” Sun asked.
“That's a good idea.” Michael looked to Kevin for the answer.
“We should be in business by the end of the week. Saturday at 11:00 a.m. good for everyone?”
They all agreed and the date was set. Michael looked at the security feed again and deemed it safe to exit. He suggested that Kevin take the girls and stay somewhere else for a while just to be safe. Michael, Jessica and Jinx were the last to leave. He handed Jessica the keys to the truck then asked Jinx for hers.
“Is this really necessary?” Jinx asked. “What if we're going through all this trouble for no reason?”
“The only way to know for sure is to let them come for you. If they do, you'll have your answer. Unfortunately, you'll also be dead.”
She reluctantly surrendered her keys and climbed in the truck with Jessica.
Michael tapped the hood. “Stay close.”
Chapter 64
Josh spotted a blue Honda Civic approaching followed by a black Chevy Tahoe that looked like theirs. He grabbed a pair of binoculars and saw Michael driving the Honda and Jessica in the Tahoe with another female passenger. He opened the bay doors as they pulled up.
He approached Michael as he was getting out of the car. “What's going on?”
“Picked up another stray,” Michael replied. “One of Jessica's friends. Apparently when she said she hadn't been to the club in six years, that didn't apply to contacting the people there.”
Josh raised his eyebrows and looked over at Jinx and Jessica.
“What now?” Jessica asked.
“You wait in the other room,” Michael answered in a not very friendly tone. She frowned and took a step towards the door to the office.
“What about my things?” Jinx asked still concerned about getting her diabetic supplies.
“I'm going to work it out. Don't worry.”
Josh started grinning wildly when Jinx approached. The second she turned her attention from Michael and glanced at him, he stuck his hand out.
“Hi. I'm Josh.”
She smiled nervously and shook his hand. “Jinx.”
Josh was tongue-tied and just stared at her smiling. Michael rolled his eyes and asked Jinx and Jessica to go in the other room so he could talk to Josh.
“What is wrong with you?” Michael asked once the girls had left.
“What? She's cute.” Josh couldn't stop grinning. “Is she single?”
“You're hopeless.”
“Oh, so it's okay for you, but not for me?”
“She's diabetic,” Michael changed the subject. “I don't know if her place is safe and most of her supplies are there. I'm debating whether to risk going and getting it or risk stealing what she needs from a pharmacy or something.”
“How sure are you that her place is compromised?”
I have no clue. They have the resources to find her if they know to look for her. I just don't know if anyone was smart enough to look in the right places.”
“We should check it out then?”
“Yeah, I guess it's worth a shot. I'd rather not have to break into a pharmacy if I don't have to.”
Josh nodded. “We need more money. Food is running low, especially now that we have one more.”
“We can do that tonight. In the meantime, I'll take Jinx over to her place and check it out. Hopefully, it's clear and we can get her things.”
“I can take her if you want.”
Michael just looked at him. “If we're not back in an hour then something happened.”
Jinx and Jessica were huddled in the middle of the room. Michael approached them and turned to Jinx. “We're going to take a drive over to your place and see if it's clear to get your things.”
“Can I come?” Jessica asked.
“No,” was all he replied. He was still angry with her. He put his hand on Jinx's back and gestured towards the garage.
Jinx nervously looked back at Jessica as Michael escorted her out of the room. Jessica tried to give her a reassuring smile, but wasn't sure how successful she was.
Chapter 65
Andrei and Dmitri arrived at Jasmine Flores' apartment building. The parking spaces were numbered and her space was empty. It wasn't likely that she was home.
“I'll go check out her apartment,” Dmitri stated. “You wait here and keep watch.” He wanted to be the one to check out her place in case it turned out someone was home.
“I don't think so,” Andrei protested. “I'll go, you wait here.” He started to get out of the car. He didn't like taking orders, especially from someone he viewed as incompetent. Dmitri yanked him back in the car.
“What the hell is wrong with ...” Andrei turned to Dmitri and stopped short as he came face to face with the barrel of his gun.
“I don't know what you've heard,” Dmitri growled. “But I do not tolerate insubordination. I am in charge. You will do as I say or I will put you down like a dog. Are we clear?”
“Very.” Andrei glared at him.
“Call me if anyone shows up.”
Dmitri put his gun away and stepped out of the car. He walked to Jasmine's apartment and knocked on the door. There was no answer so he let himself in. Big surprise ... no one was home.
While searching the kitchen, he found a pay stub and an address book chock-full with family and friends. Good thing he was in charge or things would no doubt get very ugly. He had to get word to Michael and warn him. Maybe he'd be able to find this woman before they did. He put everything back the way he found it and left.
He walked back to the car and stood next to Andrei's window. “We may be here a while. I'm going to walk down to that gas station and pick up some food and something to drink. Do you want anything?”
“I'm fine.” Andrei grumbled, obviously still peeved.
MICHAEL AND Jinx were only a few streets from her apartment when his phone rang. He didn't recognize the number so he answered but didn't say anything.
“Michael, it's me,” Dmitri's voice came over the line.
“Dmitri. What's up?”
“Does Jessica know a Jasmine Flores?”
“Jasmine Flores?” he repeated. “I don't know, I'd have to ask her. Why?” He felt a tug on his arm and turned to Jinx who looked petrified.
“I'm Jasmine Flores.”
“Scratch that. She's right here with me. What's going on?”
“Vlad got her name from his guy at the CIA. I was just in her apartment. She needs to disappear.”
Michael pulled off the road. He sighed and clenched his jaw. “Thanks for the warning. I was just headed there with her.”
“Michael, with this guy Andrei, I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before our paths cross.”
“So what are we going to do about it?”
“I want him alive. As soon as I'm off with you, I'm calling in an extraction team to take him back to Russia. He's worked for Vlad for a long time apparently. He may have information on others in our government who do too. I've been trying to extract information from him while he believes we're on the same side. When I can no longer control him, he will have an unfortunate accident. At least that's the story Vlad will hear. Until then ...”
“I get it, don't kill him.”
“Yes. Please don't Michael. We need him alive.”
“No promises, Dmitri. If it's him or me, I'm going to choose me.”
“Understood.”
“I owe you Dmitri.”
“Yeah, you do.” Dmitri smiled and hung up the phone.
Michael turned to Jinx, who was anxiously waiting to hear what was going on. “They found you. We can't go to your apartment.”
She let out a terrified whimper as she raised a trembling hand over her mouth.
He took her other hand. “You're safe, Jasmine. They don't know where you are. I will protect you and I will get you
everything you need. I won't let anything happen to you.”
She nodded her head as a few tears fell.
JOSH OPENED the garage door for them when they arrived. Michael parked the truck and they got out while Josh closed the door behind them.
“Did you get it?” Josh asked.
“No.” Michael looked over at Jinx as she came around the truck towards them. “They found her.” He saw Jessica appear in the doorway to the office out of the corner of his eye.
“What happened?” Josh glanced between Jinx and Michael.
“Dmitri called before I reached the apartment and warned me. They were there waiting for her to get home.”
“Jesus.”
Michael looked over at Jessica. “You see now why I need to know these things?”
She quickly turned and left visibly upset.
“She feels bad enough, Michael,” Josh reprimanded him.
“We'll see how you feel when she's been lying to and manipulating you.”
“You know damn well she wasn't doing it maliciously.”
Michael looked down at the floor and sighed. He knew Josh was right, but he was still angry.
“Why did he call you Michael?” Jinx asked after a long silence.
“My real name is Michael. Jake was a cover name.”
“Oh.” She wasn't sure how to feel about that. “So what should I call you?”
“Michael. I used a cover name because I didn't really expect to see any of you again or to ever involve you in any of this. Now it doesn't really matter.”
“Okay. Michael. I'm going to check on Summer.”
“No. I should talk to her. You go upstairs with Josh.”
She was a little taken aback with him ordering her around, but decided not to make a scene and started walking to the stairwell. When she got to the stairs, she stopped and turned to Josh.
“Is he always like that?” she asked.
“No,” he replied. “Sometimes he sleeps.”
She laughed and Josh gave her a huge grin.
MICHAEL STAYED in the garage for another minute after they left. Then he walked into the front room of the building next to the office and heard soft crying coming from the tiny bathroom. He knocked and the crying ceased.