Page 56 of Hack
"We think so." Carter gave Archer's hand a tug, leading him farther into the house. As soon as he hit the living room, they paused again. Faith, Xander, and Becca were all sitting on the couch staring at them.
It was Xander who stood and got in Carter's face. "I bring my daughter and husband here and you're bringing strangers in?" His eyes flared as he looked at Archer, then back to Carter. "You'd flip out if any of us did this shit."
Archer took a step back.
Carter didn't blame him. Xander was a big guy, and with his body covered in tats, and his long thick beard, he looked more like he led a biker gang instead of being the big teddy bear that Carter knew him to be. "You know I wouldn't bring anyone here who would put anyone in danger. I didn't have time to do this right. I'll deal with the consequences later, but right now, I need to get to my computers. This can't wait."
"The fuck it can't." Xander pushed Carter hard against his chest, stopping him from moving down the hallway to the computer room.
"Xander, stop." Faith jumped up, putting herself between them. She glared at her stepfather, then turned to Carter as she kept one hand on Xander's chest as if she had the power to stop him if he chose to attack Carter. "Introduce us," Faith said as she glanced at Archer.
Carter continued to glare at Xander, but did what Faith asked. "This is Archer. We are working on the case that has to do with my daughter being killed, and we have a lead. I need to use the satellites to check out the location. He's safe, I promise."
Faith sighed. "I didn't ask why he was here, I said introduce us." She turned to Archer. "I'm Faith, and over on the couch is Becca, and this hot head is Xander. I assume you already met Bryon." She nodded to where Bryon stood beside Archer.
Archer offered his hand to Faith. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you. I'm sorry we intruded this way, but like Carter has said, I see nothing, know nothing, say nothing. We just need to follow a lead."
Carter sighed, proud of Faith and Archer for trying to make peace, but he could tell by the looks he was getting from Bryon, Xander, and Becca, they weren't happy at all with him.
"This isn't about trusting you," Xander told Archer. "This is about him breaking the rules. Rules that he created."
Faith pushed against Xander's chest again. "Xan, listen to him. This is about his daughter. If it had been me, wouldn't you have done the same thing? Didn't you and Dad break any rules when you searched for me?"
Xander cursed.
Carter took a deep breath. He owed Faith a new stereo system for her car or something for standing up to Xander. "Listen, I know this is fucked up, but I swear I'd never put anyone in danger. If you want to sit down and get to know Archer, then that's fine, but let us get our information first. There could be kids suffering there, and once we make sure we have the right place, they'll be saved." He glanced at Bryon. "I know the rules, kick me out if you have to, but do it after I find the fucker who killed my family."
Xander shook his head. "This is fucked up, Carter. Way fucked up."
Faith slapped Xander's chest. "Go count your stripes and leave him alone."
Xander gasped, but then took a step back, shook his head, and stomped off to the kitchen.
"It'll be okay." Faith gripped Carter's arm. "I'll talk to him. Go save those kids. It's what you do best." She gave him a smile sweet enough to break his heart.
When the hell had she grown up? He reached out and pulled her into a hug. "I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled, then turned to Archer and stuck out her hand, taking his again. "It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry my dad's a jerk. Don't let these guys bother you. They're harmless."
Carter smiled at that. These guys were very dangerous, but to her, to those who knew them, trusted them, and loved them, they were harmless. He nodded. "Let's do this." He headed down the hallway, glad to get away. He paused before he opened the door. "We might get shit again in here, but it won't be as bad."
"Great." Archer didn't look happy. "I should have waited outside."
"No, you should be here with me to do this." Carter pushed the door open, not surprised to find Trenton and Matt both working at the bank of computers they had set up.
Matt's eyes went wide and Trenton just stared as they both walked in.
"Guys, this is Archer. He's helping me with a case. You'll have a chance to get to know him later, but right now we have work to do." He motioned for Archer to take a seat. "Don't stop what you're doing. Archer knows everything." He ignored the look of shock that both men gave him.
"This is quite a setup." Archer looked over the computers. "I see why Howard told me to contact you."
Carter grinned. He was proud of his computers and what he could do with them. "You got the address?"
Archer opened the file he was carrying and read off the address to him.
Forgetting about the men staring at him for bringing a stranger into the house, Carter turned all his attention to the computers, bringing up the programs he needed, checking his security, then typing in the address. He held his breath as slowly, images started to show. "It will take a few minutes, but soon we'll have what we need."
Sure enough, within minutes, they had a perfect view of the property. A large house was surrounded by what looked like a ranch, with several barns and other buildings scattered across the land.
