Page 73 of Lucky Boys
We stopped right in front of the house, and I immediately started scanning my surroundings. I tapped Skye on his shoulder and pointed to the cameras. He nodded. “They must be battery operated, but his internet is out as well as electric. If things go right, then that virus will give Diego access to his computer and he can alter the security footage. Just be careful and keep your head down.”
I swallowed and tried desperately to find that center I always lived in during a job. I’d done this hundreds of times. The fact that our target was in the house made no difference.
“Someone was watching for us,” Korhonen muttered as Damian Larsen leaned against the wooden doorframe, studying us carefully.
There was nothing that specifically appeared threatening about the man. He was about my and Skye’s height with a lean frame. His hair was graying at the temples, and he had metal-framed glasses that he pushed up his nose. But none of that took away from the underlying feeling of “danger.” He might look unassuming, but one of the first things Pops had taught me wasto never underestimate anyone. I had a feeling that Larsen had won many fights because he wasn’t taken seriously. I would not be one of those people.
“Careful, sunshine, Larsen is already suspicious,” Skye warned me unnecessarily.
Something just clicked then and all the nerves slipped away. I was locked in and ready to go. It didn’t matter if the dude was watching my every move. I could be a fucking ghost when I wanted to be. Skye nudged my shoulder in support, understanding in his eyes as Korhonen stepped out of the van and immediately started talking to Larsen in rapid Finnish.
I was worried that our plans was spoiled before we started when Larsen pulled out his phone and called someone, but after a moment he got off, seeming satisfied.
“How do we know when we need to get over there? I don’t understand a word they’re saying,” I asked, glancing at them quickly.
Skye threw a bag of equipment over his shoulder. I checked my pockets for the devices, which of course were right where I’d left them. Skye had a few as well. I would be doing the majority of it, but if he was in the position to plant some, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity.
“Body language,” Skye answered quietly. “Just pay attention. Korhonen knows we don’t understand them. He’ll make sure we know what to do.”
It made sense, and I reminded myself that even though I didn’t know Korhonen, this was literally what he did. He’d get us in. Soon, there was a pause in the conversation and Korhonen turned toward us. He said something in Finnish but at the same waved his hand and jerked his head.Come here.
We went.
Larsen looked us both over skeptically, and I thought we both did a decent job of looking bored as fuck and wanting to geton with our job. I was really glad we’d made sure all my tats were covered and I’d taken out my piercings. I had a feeling that Larsen had catalogued every detail he could see of us in that few seconds of examination. The fewer identifiable features, the better.
After a moment, Larsen nodded and let us through. Korhonen said something, probably thank you, and Larsen pointed toward a utility closet and then thankfully walked away.
Once we were on our own, Diego started to speak into our earpieces.
“Just checking the equipment now that we’re inside. If you hear me, B, scratch your nose.” I did as requested.
“Good. Brooks, watch yourself. I clocked three cameras already,” Maverick added.
Skye coughed and then casually ran four fingers through his hair. “Four cameras. Copy.” Mav said.
For two minutes, we all fiddled inside the closet. Even though Larsen had left us, I had no doubt he was around somewhere, keeping an eye on us.
“I’m going to talk to Larsen,” Korhonen whispered, careful that Larsen couldn’t hear us. He looked at me. It was our cue. Korhonen would distract Larsen long enough for me to sneak away and hopefully find an office or where he kept his computers. Maybe a bedroom too.
As Korhonen found Larsen to distract him, I easily snuck by and tried to guess where the best place was to get started. A kitchen lay directly in front of me, and a comfortable looking living area was to my back. I skipped both of those for now. There were three doors that were closed on the bottom level. I had to take a chance that once of them might be an office. The first was a bathroom.
I slid farther down the hallway and tried the second door. Locked. Bingo.
Besides the listening devices, I also had a lock picking kit in my pocket. It was a simple lock, one meant to keep kids out, not a professional. Honestly, it was a little disappointing. Still, I quietly pushed the door open, relieved to see a large desk with a laptop on top of it. “At his office. Door was locked, but I’m in,” I told them as I slid in and closed the door behind me.
“Good job, Brooks.” Luca said.
I was kind of silly that it was that he was proud of. It was just a lock. But still, I’d take whatever ‘good boys’ he’d be willing to give me.
I walked over to the computer first. “It’s off, D. Do I need to turn it on?”
“No. Just put in the drive and get the cameras up. I’ll do the rest.”
“Copy.”
Quickly, I pulled out the flash drive. Good thing Diego had sent us with all kinds of fun toys before we’d left. Once it was in the USB port, I left the computer alone and tried to find the best place to hide the bugs.
“Flash drive is in.”
