Page 46 of Remote Access

Lane stared at him, surprised by the note of weary acceptance in his voice. “Sounds like that might be what you want?”

His lips tightened. “I’m tired, Lane.”

He’d told Helix that he was using the name Lane now, and it was surprising how easily the man switched to his new identity. But then like him, Helix had spent his life conforming to someone else’s idea of what his life entailed. “He’s not going to turn us in. Hayrick used code names in his paperwork. He’s got a sick fascination with Oliver Twist—”

“The more gruel kid?”

Lane chuckled. “Is that all anyone remembers from that story?”

Helix chuckled. “I was never one for reading. No time. Though I’d like to change that. Should be lots of time in prison.”

“You’re not going to prison. Hayrick used codes in all the paperwork and yours is NC.”

“NC?” True confusion clouded his expression.

“I’m pretty sure your code name is Noah Claypole. He was the bruiser in the story, so to speak. So if your name—if Helix isactuallyyour name—isn’t in the files. I don’t know what’s in the electronic files at the Maine house, though. So if we can get our hands on those, we can erase anything we want. Either way, I can make us disappear for good.”

“I don’t want to leave this area,” Helix said quietly. “I can’t.”

He didn’t elaborate and Lane didn’t blame him. He knew Helix wouldn’t ask where he planned to go either. The less they knew about each other the better. But that gave Lane a pang of sadness for some reason. He didn’t really know Helix well, but they’d bonded during the time they were both healing—had shared the same circumstances. He had the feeling that in a regular world, they could be good friends. Helix’s grouchy exterior didn’t make him uneasy in the least. He understood it. If he hadn’t had his mother to counteract the bad things in his life, he probably would have turned out a lot different. He’d always gotten the impression that Helix was alone.

Helix drained his beer and chunked the bottle in the trash. “I’ll be back here day after tomorrow at seven in the morning. With Hayrick out of town, we should be able to get in and out with what we need. Got a gun?”

“Quincy does.”

“Good. I’ll bring you one, too.” He walked to the door, put his hand on the knob, then looked over his shoulder. “Thanks for calling me. It’s long past time we take out the culch.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Look at this place,” Lane hissed.

Quincy understood his shock. The large, stunning house rose majestically on a tall hillside. Woods surrounded all sides except for the back, which faced Nascent Bay. It had a private beach of rock and sand with stone steps leading up to the back porch. Wood shingles, forest green trim, and the diamond-patterned leaded glass windows in the gables all came together to create a house that drew the eye.

“Holy shit.” Lane lifted the binoculars. “I saw the plans but still couldn’t picture this. What the hell would Hayrick need with a place this big?” Lane’s wide eyes turned toward him. He handed Quincy the binoculars. “Think he really does have a family stashed in there?”

“No family, just Shelli and a couple of goons. He likes his space.” Helix jumped out of the canoe when they hit land.

“I really feel we should wait until dark to do this,” Lane muttered.

“Can’t. Shelli says Hayrick is flying back early and arriving tonight.”

“Shit. We’re like sitting ducks in this sunlight.” He eyed the seagulls crowding the edge of the water. “Or seagulls.”

“He has fences surrounding the property, but he leaves this entrance wide open?” Quincy asked Helix as he stared through the binoculars.

“There is a security guard who keeps an eye on the bay along with everything else. Plus, Hayrick is using a new security system, too. Supposed to be top of the line, but since Lane managed to crack it in Oklahoma, I don’t suppose it’ll be an issue here either.”

Quincy shot Lane a wry look, who chuckled, then pointed. “I can easily get in through that widow’s walk.”

Quincy aimed the binoculars where Lane pointed. “The one on the top of the house?”

“Look at the trees. They’re practically in the sky.”

His stomach turned at the thought of Lane up that high. “I’m not sure about this.”

“Hey.” A hand landed on his arm.

He lowered the binoculars and turned to Lane. “I know you can easily get up there. I watched you before. It’s just this is a lot higher and a lot more dangerous. Especially because of him.”

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