Coder: Book Five (Princes of Prophecy)

by L. Ann Marie

  When nothing comes back I start to worry. Dakota puts his hand up. “A day to gather information will be good. I’ll get Kevin on this too. Can you be up here at three tomorrow?”

  “I can, but you have the old ladies here for a girls’ night out tomorrow.”

  “Fuck! We’ll meet there.”

  “I’ll make sure the houses are ready.” Prez looks at Darren and he starts texting someone before Prez looks back at his monitor. He throws chin then clicks off. “Brantley, I want you following this. It took you an hour with what they’ve had for months. Find me everything you can on Ortiz. Business interests, known gang affiliates – anything that will help us shut him down. I want everything we can get to shut the gang down in Pawtucket so he loses that hold too. Dakota, get with the Mayor and Chief so they know we’re clearing for free and why. The threat of opening the lines from the coast should be enough. Darren, get Billy and Jason set to help Brantley and cover Ops for the rest of today and the night. I want readers and seers looking at the information pulled and their opinions or warnings logged. Every way we can, I want this covered. If you think of anything else that can help, do it.”

  I stand up, but wait for more. “A fuckin’ hour Brantley. Fuckin’ amazing.” He looks like he’s going to say more, but I want to get on the computer and get this shit done so we can put it to rest already. Kids and old ladies are never going to be completely safe, but we have the ability to get rid of this threat. He throws me chin. “Go Brother. I’ll save it for status at the Club.”

  I smile. “Thanks Prez.” I move quickly through the door and call Jax letting him know it’s Ortiz and we’re pulling everything we can. I ask him to help gather information on the gang affiliates including the West Coast while I pick up my laptop and head to Ops. He agrees and will send files over as he gets them. In Ops I sit in the third console and tell Jason to move to my second seat. Josiah texts he’s on his way. I love the fuckin’ readers.

  I tell Jason what our objective is and start a new file for everything to be dumped into. I drop folders labeled gangs, businesses, readers, Pawtucket gang, distribution, people, trains-planes-auto and Ortiz. The last being any personal information we can get on the pussy. It’s a start. I send Jax the link to the file and see him dropping forms in it already. Since Jason is working on the connection he drops his forms in the new file.

  Billy comes in and I get him on Pawtucket. Josiah shows just as I finish with Billy and I have him work on businesses. Since we had the distribution up to two years ago I drop those docs and start working on updating them.

  I’m pulled out of my last form by Darren. “I have some IT techs cleared to run. What do you want them on?”

  I focus on him and think about what we’re doing and where everyone is. “Anything Ortiz owns. There are a few companies he runs under. We need everything that’s owned by them too.” He nods and I finish the form.

  Jumping to the next file I look for anything personal on Ortiz. I find a shit load on Facebook and Twitter including pictures. I drop people and pictures in both the connection file and the personal one. Once that’s played out, I look up his credit and start digging through his credit cards and loans.

  “Food!” I look over at Taylor then at my watch. Fuck it’s been five hours since I sat down. I pull my phone and call Holly. “Sorry sweet girl I’m here for the night. We caught a break on the pussy that’s trying for the kids.”

  She laughs. “Lily told me. We’re having fun while you’re all working your butts off. Eliza brought daiquiri mix.”

  I laugh. “Sounds like a good time. Is Sheila with you?” I ask as I’m walking to the break room.

  “She is, we’re all together at Lily’s for the night. It freed up people to do other things. We’re having a big slumber party. Don’t worry and go get the bastards that steal kids,” she’s pissed making me smile.

  “We’re just gathering information right now. The Ops gets planned tomorrow.”

  “Oh no! It’s my first girls’ night out.” She sounds devastated.

  I laugh. “You’ll still get to go. There’ll be extra Security here from the MC.”

  “Oh thank God. I think they’d shoot their way out. They’re talking about how much fun it will be. Did you know they all carry guns? Sheila is going to teach me to shoot. She says I can’t be left helpless with the kids. Joey said she can help because she’s a crack shot too.”

  Fuck! I don’t want her carrying a gun, but she’d be safer knowing how to handle one. “As long as you don’t shoot me.”

  She laughs. “Never.”

  “I need to eat something and get back to work babe. I’ll find you tomorrow. Give my boy a kiss from me. Call if you need me, love you babe.”

  “I will honey. Love you too.”

  I swipe her off and grab a tray from the counter. When I turn Taylor waves. Billy and Jason are sitting around a table in the corner. “Thanks for calling me. I had no fuckin’ clue what time it was.”

  He laughs. “Jason says the files are filled. Anything I can do to help?”

  He was IT then a satellite, so computer tracking isn’t new to him. I can use that right now. “Yeah, you can run faces through recognition and get the names on a spreadsheet with how they connect so we can see it on the hologram board.”

  He nods. “I can do that.”

  We eat quickly. I find out where Billy and Jason are and get an idea on the time we’ll need to get it all together for Prez. When I get back to Ops, Prez and Darren are at my and Jason’s computers. I look at Jason and he shrugs moving to the other side of Billy. I stand and watch. They’re going through the folders. “Are you looking for something or just getting an idea of what we’re looking at?”

  Prez looks back at me. “This is a shit load of information. I need it put together so I get a clear picture before meeting with Pres, my dad and Jamie.”

  “I just went over what Jason and Billy have. I’ll give it a couple more hours then we’ll work it into an outline for you.” He hates reports. I swear he’d take a list and be happy, but I give him outlines so I can keep the information in some kind of order.

  He looks surprised, but nods. “What can we do to help?”

  Now I’m surprised. “Taylor’s getting people on a spreadsheet so we can see the connection on a hologram board. I could use the Pawtucket gang, readers and businesses on the sheets so we can add them to the board.”

  “We’ll take those.” He gets up and moves to the first console with Josiah. I guess Darren is staying.

  I jump back in looking at all we’ve gathered. When I see what the businesses own I get my two IT techs split. One keeps digging while the other puts it on a spreadsheet. I look around and see everyone is busy. Chevy is watching the boards. When his shift is over I’ll get him to look at what we have. I jump back in and fill in more of the pussy’s financials and the types of items he buys. I even get his allergy to cats, thanks to the pharmacy that lists items by names and his doctor that doesn’t believe in encrypting his files.

  When my alarm goes off I pull Jason and Billy to help get through all we have. Josiah, Sebastian and Chevy are sitting with Prez and Darren. Taylor starts looking through the hologram boards as we go back and forth and adds to the spreadsheets as we need it.

  After two hours I go to Prez. “We have the outline and boards ready. Techs are still digging and we’ll add as we go, but we have a good picture. Do you want this here or in the meeting room?”

  He looks around. We have regular Security still running here. “Meeting room.”

  “I need a minute to set it up.”

  He nods and calls HS Security, Jason and Billy to the meeting room. I get us up and run the hologram boards so everyone can see it. There are eight boards and I separate them so I can explain them one by one. When I’m finished I can sync them to one board with everything. I’m surprised to see Jax and Dakota. “Thanks Brother for the gangs. Your people move fast,” I say to Jax. He throws me chin.

  Prez com
es in and we start. It takes almost two hours, but the information doesn’t leave room for many questions. “What don’t we know?” Prez asks.

  I smile at that. “Probably a lot, but we’re still digging. The one thing you asked for that is not on a board are the readers’ responses. It won’t take long to get them up here. I figured you had a good idea of what that looks like and I wanted to get the rest to you for planning. We’ll keep adding to the boards as information comes in.”

  He throws me chin. “Good fuckin’ job Brother. It would be good to see the readers in the areas of concern when you have it.” I throw him chin and wait. “Dakota, is Pawtucket settled?”

  “They are Prez. The Mayor appreciates the help ridding them of the gang and the Commissioner is happy to step back and let us handle it. They do not have the budget or manpower to remove them.”

  “Driscoll, do you have the officers and Brothers to support ongoing Ops here?”

  Driscoll nods. “I can cover our towns Prez.”

  “Bull, I’m going to need four IT techs and at least two Security Teams. Do you have coverage without affecting our contracts and jobs?”

  “I can do one team and the techs comfortably and add overtime for the second team if you and Dakota approve it.”

  “Prez, we can get Connecticut to pick up Transport and pull Nomads in,” Darren says.

  Prez looks at him. “Call Big K tomorrow and ask how many runs he can take. Nomads will help ease the schedules.” He looks around the table. “Does anyone have anything to add here?”

  “I have a schedule issue we’ll need to go over,” Jessie tells him and gets a nod.

  “Thoughts on what we have so far?”

  Taylor laughs. “We know his favorite foods and what he owns. I can’t believe what we already know.” I throw him chin while everyone’s making comments.

  “It will be good to see the readers’ responses added in place,” Dakota says as he looks at me.

  I look at Prez. “I’ll get it up when we’re done here.” I’m taking it as a warning.

  Prez nods. “There is no point in planning an Op without the MC. Get some sleep tonight. We’ll fill in whatever else we find and go through everything tomorrow before the MC gets here. I need extra Security running with the old ladies for a girls’ night out, Bull. You’ll have to get with the MC and see who they have scheduled.” He gets a nod and everyone moves. “Jax, Jessie, Brantley and Dakota stay.”

  I sit back down, but tell Jason to get me the reader board. Darren is smiling at me. What the hell is that all about? Prez laughs. “He can’t believe everything you got and put together so fast Brother.”

  I nod, not knowing what to say. “The down rooms are open and your clothes were delivered. HS is at the house with the old ladies. I know you’re all planning on working the computers as soon as we leave, but I need you alert and fresh for tomorrow so don’t make it a full night.”

  “Dakota doesn’t sleep anyway,” Jessie says making us laugh.

  Dakota smiles. “I get what I need.”

  I look at Prez. “Anything else.”

  “Food is in the break room and breakfast will be delivered at eight.”

  I stand up and they all laugh. “Got shit to do.” Walking out I wonder why they’re laughing. When I sit down by Jason, I see he’s working on the reader spreadsheet. I set my alarm for two hours and start filling in the information the techs are dropping.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Brantley

  I’m up at six and miss hearing the morning giggle from Holly and baby laugh from Mucimi. It’s too early to call, so I set my alarm to make sure I don’t miss talking to them before Holly starts her first day at the daycare/school. With that done I get in the shower and up to the break room for coffee. The night shift is still here, so I keep away from them at the third console and start opening files. Jacob worked the night filling the spreadsheets and hunting for people and connections.

  My alarm goes off and I stop to text Holly telling her I’ll call them on a video chat. Mucimi is bouncing against her looking at me. She’s excited and a little nervous, but she’s smiling like she won the lottery. We talk for a bit then I tell her and sign to Mucimi I’ll see them at lunch.

  Looking around I see Jason and Billy walking in and the rest of day shift showing up. I get everyone settled on specific jobs and set my alarm for eleven.

  Jax hits my arm and I’m surprised to see him. “I got covered so I could help fill the sheets for the boards. Your files filled fast.”

  “Yeah Brother the techs worked overnight with Jacob. Thanks for the help.” I look around for what station is open and set him on Ortiz personal.

  I work until my alarm goes off. Jax looks at me. “I’m going to lunch at the daycare. I need to see where everyone is before I leave.”

  “I’ll go. I haven’t seen the kids since yesterday morning. While you’re making the rounds I’ll get food delivered up there.”

  I slap his back. “Thanks Brother.”

  Everyone is moving along without any problems. The techs are onto foot soldiers. Jason is still pulling for the businesses, and Billy is filling in spreadsheets. When I’m sure they’re set I hit the lot smiling.

  Jax is waiting at his bike. “I’m your HS.” I throw him chin and we ride to the Compound. Turning into the gate I’m glad to see Family is heavy today. I see three and know Jessie would have more hidden.

  Inside, I go to the daycare room. Mucimi sees me right away and crawls right for me. I lift him and he laughs. Holly calls him her little happy boy and it fits. I give my boy a kiss and listen to his baby sounds. When he seems to be done, I go to the classroom door. Holly is talking to Justice and Aquyà, so I wait watching Stella kiss Jax and Brandon climb right up his back and hold on. They make me laugh and Holly comes over. “I have time, finish what you’re doing babe.”

  She pulls my shirt down; I go with it. “I’m done.”

  I get a kiss and her happy eyes. “Missed you last night. I’ll be home after planning tonight. The three As are on with the kids.”

  “Three As?”

  It seems like she’s been here forever, I forget she doesn’t know them all. “Alex, Ally and Aaron. Aaron is HS as a team lead while Eliza is out and Ally is HS IT. You met her your first day here. She’s Alex’s twin.”

  She nods. “She’s a sweetie. I think I know Aaron too, he’s Jessie and Darren’s brother.” Her eyes look confused. “He’s an HS Team leader? He looks so young.”

  I nod. “Yeah. He’s fuckin’ good too. He wants to be a detective in the PD.”

  We’re back to smiling eyes. “I meet the most amazing people here. Mitch called, she’ll be sending me information for the kids. She already has Stella on a program that I’m supposed to get later today. The teacher at the MC is coming for lunch Monday with material and extra educational toys she uses and Lily’s sister Brenda is coming today.”

  Prez is quick. “It’s a show of support so you know they’ve got your back. You can call on any of them at any time for information or advice. That’s what Brotherhood is.”

  “I love it. With so much support and great parents, I’m not even nervous.”

  I laugh giving her a kiss. She’s cute. Debbie comes in telling us lunch is here and we all walk toward the dining room. I give Mucimi to Holly and pick up Teller and Phoenix. “You’re getting big.” Phoenix signs, ‘Yes.’ I kiss their heads and sit them in their seats. Everyone’s seat has their names making life easy. They decorate them with stickers just like we did.

  We talk to the kids and Jax while we eat and feed Mucimi. I’m struck by how far she’s come since that night me and Taylor found her. Life has a funny way of working out. I’m glad hers worked with me and Mucimi. I get a flash of Holly laughing and close my eyes. When it’s gone I look around the table. Jax is watching me, but the kids are signing and talking. Where the hell did that come from? Holly waves her hand in front of Mucimi. “Lost again.” She smiles.

  I look and he is
. Fuck he threw to me. Only Jacob and Christian have ever thrown me pictures and they’re usually not good. I smile shaking my head.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Jax asks. All the kids stop and watch.

  “He threw me a picture of Holly laughing.”

  He looks at Mucimi. “You need to tell Dakota. He’s been charting them.”

  I nod. “He knows, he’s been throwing to Justice and Jacob, but I’ll tell him.”

  We finish and everyone helps clean up. I lift Teller to put the silverware he collected in the sink. Stella puts her arms up so I lift her and watch her throw water all over her face. Jax cracks up waiting with a towel to wipe her down.

  Once everyone is fist bumped, hugged and kissed, me and Jax head back to Princes Security. I send Jason and Billy for lunch and pick up where I left off.

  Prez comes in and asks me to set up the meeting room. I put the new board up first so he can study it while I get the tablets programmed to run separately.

  Once everything is in place, Josè walks in with the Prospect setting the side table with refreshments. I smile thinking Uncle Danny won’t be hungry.

  Prez asks for the boards to be separated. I throw them ten inches apart and watch him go over everything again. Darren and Jessie come in and do the same thing.

  “If you’re set I’ll get back to work.”

  Prez shakes his head no. “You’re running the boards for us.” I nod, but I’m surprised. Geek is due here today. “In our house, Princes run the meeting.”

  This makes me smile. “On it Prez.”

  Jessie laughs. “You fuckin’ are Brother. This is a shit load of information for the time you had and it’s still updating.”

  Darren throws me chin. “Good job Brother.”

  Dakota comes in with Taylor and they read the boards. I’m bored with this, so I look through the folders and spreadsheets making sure we didn’t miss anything.

  Thank fuck the door opens and the MC and Baxters show. VP stands looking at the first board while everyone is talking. Brothers are getting drinks and sitting, but VP moves to the next board as if nothing is happening around him. Jamie and Jake mimic him. When almost everyone is seated, I look for Prez. He’s talking to Geek about something on the third board. I wait for him to give me a nod.