Page 125 of Broken Wheels

Chalmers typed again, and Dix read the reply.

Well, unless someone was sitting with me as we scoured the web, I had no access to the Internet, so that’s a no. But things are buzzing around here. Not sure what’s going on, but Spencer looks nervous, twitchy. Dr. Malone’s name drives him nuts. I’m using a backdoor I installed into one of his computers, but I can’t guarantee they won’t find it. My only hope is that this stuff that’s going on keeps his attention a little longer.

Dix shook his head. This whole mess is the gift that keeps on giving.

Chalmers scrolled. “He wants his wife and kids protected. If CrossBow agrees and brings them here, then he’ll give Dr. Malone the link.” He scrolled, then read aloud. “Spencer is freaking out. I don’t know what’s going on, but his attention is split, so now is the time to act.”

“Ask him if he’s safe.”

Chalmers typed, then waited. He sighed. “He says ‘LOL, no. Pretty sure Spencer’s going to get what he wants and then I’ll disappear too. It doesn’t matter, as long as CrossBow protect my wife and kids.’” He paused. “He says the link will give Dr. Malone access to files that will help nail Spencer. He adds Dr. Malone must dig into them.”

Dix didn’t hesitate. “Give me the address and I’ll have a team round there to collect his family within the hour. Tell him he has my word they’ll be safe.”

“Don’t you need to call Michael and run this by him first?”

He shook his head. “I can handle this. It’s not as though I haven’t sent agents on missions before now. Michael can find out about it when it’s done. Besides, I’m going to avoid using the phones. There’s always the possibility they’d try monitoring them.” He smiled. “Doc would kick my ass if he heard me say that. He built the phones with an encryption system he designed. He would never say it was impossible to crack—no system is that good—but they’d give themselves a migraine trying.”

“Can I interrupt you for a second?” Grady scraped his fingers through his hair. “Dr. Malone needs to find something, and fast. I’ll be doing my damnedest to push this, but without rock-solid evidence—without even one eyewitness….” He scowled. “Thanks to his cadre of lawyers, Spencer will likely walk.”

“We have Kathy.”

“Sorry, let me rephrase that. One credible witness. Until we find out what’s on that laptop, I can’t—won’t—trust her. She’s out for herself, so I expect her to be very economical with the truth.”

Dix hoped there was something worthwhile on that laptop.

Right then they needed a miracle.

Dix waited in the lobby, Michael at his side. Brant Parnell was in the first car, along with Jasmine Toulette, with Carl Winters and Lance Darr following.

So far, so good. The mission to collect the Carson family had gone without a hitch, although Jasmine had messaged to say Mrs. Carson was a mess. Not a surprise. Her husband’s been missing how long? Carson had given them a phrase to repeat to his wife to ensure she would know that they were the good guys and that she could trust them.

“So who did you send to pick up the Carsons?” Michael asked.

“Jasmine Toulette’s in charge.”

Michael blinked. “What made you choose her? Not that I’m disagreeing—she’s a damn good agent—but not the first person I’d consider.”

Dix shrugged. “We needed someone with a soft, delicate female touch so the kids wouldn’t worry.”

“And you thought Jazz fitted the bill? Our Jazz? The woman who dropped you six times during the last sparring matches?” Michael grinned. “Of course, I can see how you might think she was soft and delicate.”

“Fine, there might have been just the tiniest bit of payback in there too. But you have to admit, she’s a great choice. Get between her and her client, and you’re the one who won’t be walking away.”

Michael chuckled. “I won’t argue that. I think she’s the perfect choice. I pity anyone who gets in her way. Is everything ready for them?”

Dix nodded. He’d made sure their apartment had everything they could possibly need, including new toys for the kids, a girl of ten and a boy of twelve. He didn’t want to cause their mother a second of worry.

She has enough on her plate. And judging by what Jasmine had relayed, a mountain of questions.

Which we can’t answer, unfortunately.

She certainly didn’t need to know she’d probably never see her husband again, or how he’d risked his life to save theirs.

The cars pulled up outside the main door, and Carl and Lance were there in a heartbeat, scanning their surroundings. They stood by as Jasmine helped Mrs. Carson out of the car. The kids seemed in better spirits, laughing as they raced toward the door.

They don’t have a clue, thank God.

Michael greeted her, his hand outstretched. “Mrs. Carson, welcome to CrossBow Protection. I’m Michael Kennedy, one of the directors.”

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