Lethal Memory (A Counterstrike Novel Book 2)

by Jannine Gallant

  Pressing a hand to the gnawing ache in his gut, he focused on the latest disaster. “You’re certain the CEO of Vortex kidnapped Noah Kimball’s brother?”

  “Not personally, of course. Andrew Murdock doesn’t like to get his hands dirty. He paid someone, the same way he paid those cretins who grabbed Riley at the lab.”

  “But Garth Kimball lives in Brooklyn. How did—”

  “One of his contacts discovered Kimball’s brother is in Boston. Finding out where he was staying wasn’t terribly difficult.” The older man kept his voice low, even though no one in the restaurant was within earshot. “Right now, Murdock is trying to negotiate a trade . . . Riley’s laptop for Garth Kimball.”

  Relief filled Charles, and the burning in his stomach eased. “If he succeeds, surely you can get access to her files? Maybe this will work out for the best since I’m damn certain Riley was lying about not having perfected the final version of her formula.”

  His mentor swirled the cabernet in the bowl of his wine glass. “You’d better not be wrong about that. Frankly, your track record sucks when it comes to predicting that bitch’s moves.”

  “It isn’t my fault Prescot showed up this afternoon to ruin my plans. He totally freaked her out.” Charles dropped his napkin on the table. “I don’t know what she ever saw in that jerk.”

  “As a result of your failure, Murdock has stepped up his game, despite my request he back off. He’s going to wish he’d taken my advice.”

  Charles stared at him. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m tired of his interference and bungled attempts to get that formula. At this point, Murdock’s greedy nature has become a liability rather than an asset, so it’s time to eliminate him from the picture. Noah Kimball will set a rescue op in motion once the kidnappers contact him. My goal is to make certain Counterstrike nails Murdock when they go after the doctor’s brother.”

  “But Riley’s files—”

  “Don’t be dense.” His lips twisted. “She and her computer will be somewhere they presume is safe. No way in hell will Kimball actually bring her laptop to the exchange. All I have to do is discover her location while the doctor is occupied, and this damn fiasco will be over.”

  “Easier said than done.” Charles gripped the edge of the table. “We already know she left Boston with Noah. They could be anywhere.”

  “Unfortunately, I had an appointment this afternoon and couldn’t loiter on the sidewalk all day. Too bad you were unavailable to help me.” His voice dripped sarcasm. “If the street scum I paid had called me like I told him to, we’d know where Riley is holed up right now.”

  Charles clenched his teeth so hard his jaw ached. “When the university hires you as a TA, they actually expect you to show up to teach the class, and I’ve missed too many days already.”

  “We should have had a backup plan instead of having to scramble.” His dark eyes narrowed with annoyance. “My mistake was in trusting you to recover those files.”

  Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly. Arguing that he couldn’t have anticipated Riley’s ex-boyfriend showing up before he got to Dr. Ernst’s office was pointless. “What’s next then. How do we find Riley?”

  “We don’t do anything. I’ll contact Murdock and hint that his deal may be going sideways, and he’d better personally keep an eye on his prize. After that, I intend to call in a favor to locate Riley. One of Boston’s finest owes me. Once I have that laptop, I’ll be in touch.” He swallowed the last of his wine and rose to his feet.

  The rich scent of marinara and quiet background music hung in the air between them. “What do you intend to do to Riley?”

  “At this point, she’s dispensable.” Pulling out his wallet, he dropped a few bills on the table. “It would be a shame if you are, too.”

  Bile burned the back of his throat, and he swallowed hard. “You need me to interpret her data and create the transcription repressor serum.”

  “If necessary, I can bribe one of the lab techs at Vortex to do that job.” He turned to walk away from the table. “Don’t disappoint me again.”

  Anger grew like a slow flame, consuming the fear eating away at his stomach lining. He pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled through his contacts. Maybe he’d pay the price for crossing such a powerful man, but there was still a chance he could weasel his way out of trouble. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  * * * *

  Riley sat quietly on the bed, rubbing Stormy’s ears while Noah talked to Wolf. His voice was calm, but she could practically see the fury radiating from him. The hand not holding his phone was clenched into a tight fist at his side.

  “I assume Garth is being held somewhere in Boston since I’m supposed to drop Riley’s laptop at the Franklin obelisk in the Granary Burying Ground.” Noah was silent for a moment as he listened. “Garth said once they verify the computer files are legitimate, he’ll be released. Of course, we both know they’ll simply kill him.”

  Guilt churned, and for a minute, she was afraid she’d throw up. Breathing through her mouth in short pants, she got the surge of nausea under control.

  “I was given all the usual warnings about not following the person sent to pick up the laptop. Is Luna having any luck figuring out who kidnapped my brother?” Noah’s stiff shoulders slumped. “We still have time. I told them it would be three hours before I could make the drop. It’ll only take me about an hour to get back to Boston.”

  Riley buried her fingers in Stormy’s fur to stop them from shaking. When her phone dinged, she pulled it from her purse and read the text. Dex was out of the hospital and in rehab. Finally, some excellent news.

  Noah’s voice burst the small bubble of optimism.

  “I plan to leave soon. Riley will be safer staying here at the bed and breakfast than she would be returning with me to Boston. No one knows where we are.” He nodded a couple of times. “Okay, I’ll see you shortly. Call if there’s any news.”

  She shifted sideways on the bed as Noah turned to face her. “I’m so sorry this happened.”

  “Me, too.” He dropped down next to her. “But I sure as hell don’t blame you, so stop looking at me like that.”

  “I can’t help feeling responsible. If I’d given Emerson my files when I had the chance—”

  “He may very well be involved, so quit beating yourself up. We’ll get Garth back. That’s what Counterstrike does.”

  “I know.” She rested her cheek against his shoulder when he wrapped his arm around her. “You should go.”

  “I will. I don’t like the idea of leaving you here by yourself, but I would be even less happy if you were alone in Boston while we’re working, vulnerable to the person responsible for the kidnapping.”

  “I’m not alone. I have Stormy for company. Go save your brother. He’s the one who needs you right now.”

  Noah turned her in his arms and kissed her, lingering long enough to make her want more. When he finally broke contact, she pressed her hands against the hard, warm muscles beneath his thermal shirt.

  He let out a harsh breath. “Dammit, I don’t want to leave you.”

  She held back her initial response. A whiny complaint that she didn’t want him to go anywhere, either. Instead, she forced a smile. “I’ll be fine. Stormy and I have plenty of food, so I won’t even have to leave this room. You’re the one I’m worried about. Please be careful.”

  “We always are when we’re on a mission. Knowing my brother is the victim won’t change that.” He dropped another kiss on her upturned lips. “Hopefully I’ll be back to get you by morning. I’ll call to check in when it’s over.” He patted Stormy’s head, rose to his feet, and reached for his jacket. “Keep the door locked and don’t answer your phone unless it’s me.”

  “I won’t.” She followed him to the door. “Wait, Noah, my laptop.”

  He frowned. “I’m not taking it. If the situation gets to the point of someone needing to verify your files, Garth will be a dead man. Luna will give me a
substitute to take to the drop.”

  Riley pressed a hand to her chest. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” He kissed her one last time. “I love you, Riley.”

  She couldn’t dismiss the fear gnawing at her. “I love you, too.”

  The door shut behind him with a soft click. Turning, she discovered Stormy had moved up the bed to lay with her head on the pillow. The dog gave her a look of pure caution.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t kick you off. You can keep my side warm since Noah isn’t here to do it.”

  Walking over to the window, Riley stared out into the darkness and shivered. She wrapped her arms around her chest, despite the warmth of the room, trying to ward off her unease. Letting fear win wasn’t productive. Neither was feeling sorry for herself when her time was better spent working. Picking up her laptop case, she took it to the table.

  Behind her, Stormy whined.

  Riley glanced over her shoulder and smiled at the dog’s woebegone expression. “Fine. Food first. Then work.” After removing the container of dogfood from the canvas bag, she poured a portion into Stormy’s bowl and set the dish on the floor. While her dog wolfed down her dinner, Riley chose an apple from the bag and took a bite as she powered up her computer.

  Two hours later, she’d eaten the apple, a banana, and a handful of crackers while she scrutinized her data, looking for potential weaknesses that would allow the immunoresponse gene to—

  Her phone trilled, the cheerful ringtone jerking her back to the frilly pink room. Her heart thumped with a mixture of hope and dread as she scooped up her cell to check the display. Not Noah calling to tell her they’d rescued his brother. Detective Brasher. She stared at the screen, wondering if she should pick up. Noah had said not to answer her phone, but . . .

  The call went to voice mail. At the ding, Riley swiped her thumb across the screen and tapped to listen to the message.

  “There’s a situation.” The detective broke off as voices sounded in the background. “Call me, please. I need to speak to you immediately.”

  “Damn.” She glanced over at the dog, back on the bed and sleeping soundly. No help from that quarter. Anxiety crawled down her spine as the seconds ticked by.

  Noah could be hurt. Or worse.

  Fearful that something had gone horribly wrong, she tapped to connect. Brasher answered on the second ring.

  “Professor Adair, where are you?”

  Her grip on the phone tightened. “Is Noah okay?”

  “Dr. Kimball? As far as I know. It’s you I’m worried about.”

  She rose to her feet and walked to the window as tears of relief flooded her eyes. “Thank God. If you aren’t calling about Noah, what’s wrong?”

  “I got a tip that you’re in immediate danger. I went to your house, but—”

  “I’m not in Boston.”

  “That doesn’t mean you’re safe. It’s possible someone discovered where you’re staying.”

  “Who?” Her voice rose as her pulse pounded in an erratic rhythm. “The same person who kidnapped Noah’s brother? Did Counterstrike find him yet?”

  There was silence for a moment on the other end of the line. “I think we need to talk. In person. Tell me where you’re at.”

  * * * *

  Noah sat in the passenger seat of the big SUV parked on the north side of Boston Commons, several blocks from the drop zone at the Granary Burying Ground. A laptop in a black case identical to the one Riley used rested at his feet. Fear for his brother ate at him, but he made himself sit still. Remain calm. Beside him, Wolf leaned one elbow on the steering wheel and gazed across the stretch of grass sloping toward the Frog Pond. In the rear seat, Luna studied her computer screen where the feed from nearby street cameras was displayed.

  “There’s a vehicle moving slowly up Tremont Street. The driver seems to be looking for a parking spot.” Luna tapped her keyboard. “She just squeezed into a space about a block east of the cemetery. This may be our courier since she isn’t making any effort to leave her car yet.”

  “She?” Noah turned to stare at Luna. “The courier is a woman?”

  “Looks like it to me. I’ll send a pic to your phones, but I’m afraid the quality is crap.”

  When his cell dinged, he pulled up the image. Definitely blurry, but the image visible through the driver’s side window of a vehicle appeared to be a blond woman. “Can you get an ID on her?”

  “I’ll run the photo through facial recognition, but I’m not sure the resolution is good enough.”

  “If she’s the courier, she arrived early. How’s everything looking on your end, GQ?” Wolf spoke into his mouthpiece.

  “No movement in the cemetery. I have a direct line of sight to the Franklin obelisk,” their point man responded. “If anything unexpected goes down, I’ll have you covered, Patch.”

  Noah lifted the computer from the floor to his lap. “I’ll head out in a few minutes.”

  “Copy that.”

  “Facial recognition didn’t come up with a match for the driver. She must not be in the system.” Luna ran a hand through her hair and let out a frustrated breath. “Nothing is going our way with this op.”

  “What about the anonymous tip that came in?” Fear for his brother ate at him, but he forced himself to speak calmly. “Any luck tracing the source?”

  “Whoever it was did an excellent job of covering his tracks. However, at this point, I feel any possible lead is worth checking.”

  “Luna and I will follow the courier.” Wolf gave Noah a direct look. “As soon as you drop the laptop, you and GQ can head straight to the address the tipster gave us. If anyone is loitering in the area, it’ll look like you’re following instructions by leaving.”

  Luna glanced up from her computer screen. “What if the kidnappers are simply trying to split up the team? That could be dangerous.”

  “Time is critical.” Noah’s lips tightened. “Once they analyze those files you created, they’ll realize they’re fake. We need to find Garth first.”

  “Which is why I’m willing to take the risk and separate.” Wolf spoke quietly. “Play it smart, Patch.”

  “I always do.” Noah opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. Avoiding the pools of light cast by streetlamps, he jogged across Boston Commons toward Park Street.

  Traffic was light this late in the evening. Passing behind a cab, he approached the Park Street Church and stood pressed against the wall of the building to take a long look around. An older couple walked up the opposite side of Tremont Street, but there was no sign of the courier and no movement in any of the parked vehicles.

  Noah entered the cemetery and walked through the elms, which rustled slightly in a gust of wind. Rows of grave markers stood between him and the Franklin obelisk, the shadowy pyramid rising high above the headstones.

  “The place is empty. You’re good to go.” GQ spoke quietly in his earpiece. “I see no signs of an ambush.”

  “Good. I’ll leave the laptop at the obelisk and meet you at your car.”

  “I shouldn’t be far behind you.”

  Noah hurried through the burial ground, winding his way through the aged stones. When he reached the Franklin marker, he leaned the computer case against the base and retreated out the Egyptian gate onto the street. Strolling east up the sidewalk, he passed a tall, blond woman speaking on her phone.

  “I’m here now. Yes, I’ll call as soon as I . . .”

  Noah missed the rest of her comment when she turned into the cemetery.

  “The blonde is definitely the courier. A total novice since I’m positive she didn’t make me. The most recent call on her cell is probably to whoever she’s working for.” Noah kept his voice low.

  “Good to know,” Wolf responded. “If you don’t find Garth at the South End address, we’ll move in to liberate her phone.”

  “I’ll be in touch.” Noah turned off his transceiver and increased his pace.

  GQ’s Corvette was parked a block away. Re
aching the car, he leaned against the bumper, pulled out his phone, and called Riley. After several rings, it went to voicemail.

  “What the hell?” Noah’s gut tightened. At the beep, he left a message. “Is everything okay? No resolution on this end yet. Soon, I hope.” He turned as footsteps slapped the concrete walk, and waved to GQ. “Text me.” After disconnecting, he slipped the cell into his jacket pocket.

  GQ hit the remote to unlock his car, opened the door, and set his rifle case on the back seat. “A blond woman picked up the laptop and left the cemetery. She drove away in a red compact just as I reached the street.”

  “I passed her on my way out. Definitely not a professional.” Noah slid onto the passenger seat and shut the door as GQ got in and started the engine. “It’s like the kidnapper sent his sister or girlfriend to the drop. Why the hell would he do that?”

  “Could be he’s shorthanded and was afraid of being identified if he went himself.” GQ stopped at the intersection and waited for the light to change. “We’re probably ten minutes from the address the tipster gave us.”

  Noah nodded, but his attention was on Riley rather than the Boston streets they drove through. Why the hell didn’t she answered her phone?

  “Patch, are you okay?”

  GQ’s voice jogged him out of useless speculation. “Huh? Yeah, of course. Why?”

  “You didn’t answer me.”

  “Sorry.” He let out a slow breath, trying to control his anxiety. “I called Riley while I was waiting for you, and she didn’t pick up. That worries me.”

  “Maybe she fell asleep.” GQ pulled over as an ambulance roared by, siren blaring.

  “Seems unlikely, considering the circumstances.” He forced himself to focus on their surroundings. Letting his mind wander wasn’t an option. “I’ll call her again after this is over.”

  GQ turned off Shawmut Avenue into a South End neighborhood lined with apartment buildings. “Our address is in the second complex on the right.”