The next morning, Thunder sat at his desk with his feet crossed at the ankles and propped on the top. He lifted his arms and buckled his hands behind his head, still confused by almost every turn the case had taken. Interview after interview had given them leads, but after investigation they still didn’t have anything concrete.
He released a silent, slow breath and reeled his emotions in one by one. Patience was a necessary factor when chasing shadows and if it took forever, he intended to put an end to the chase. Experience told him that even shadows couldn’t hide; the light always exposed them eventually.
He allowed himself a grin. Although the case wore heavy on his mind, he’d slept remarkably well last night. With Liv tucked next to him, he’d slept like the dead, not a care in the world other than letting her get a few hours of shut eye before his cock demanded he wake her.
“You look satisfied, Captain.”
At the sound of Rebel’s voice, he moved his attention to his teammate and mentally reminded himself he wasn’t alone. “I am.”
“How did you convince her to stay?” His friend shifted in the chair in front of the desk, bent one leg, and then braced it on the opposite knee.
He didn’t bother to move the grin as he answered. “Easily.”
“If you say so.” Rebel shook his head. “I finished looking at both the gallery’s and the coffee shop’s tapes about midnight. Just as we suspected, nothing substantial.”
“Nothing?”
“I did see a few familiar faces but it’s no crime to frequent both the bookstore and the coffee shop. Sophie backed up Chapman’s claim that his associates pass a background check.”
“What about the gallery’s network?”
“Just like the others, Chapman’s email originated from a public network, this time registered to Palm Square Mall.”
“Sonuvabitch,” he mumbled as he moved his feet from the desk to the floor and lowered his hands. His fingers bit into the leather arms of his chair. “We’re still shadow boxing.”
“Yes, but the IP address is a perfect match for all of the other hacks.”
Optimism evaded him. So the prick used the same device to access all the networks - it didn’t do a helluva lot of good until they had the device in hand.
“Nothing showed up on camera?”
Rebel shook his head. “Without a solid identity, no. I do know that Montez wasn’t on film.”
“Associates?”
“Facial scan reveals no known identities.”
He scrubbed a hand across his jaw. “What the hell are we missing?”
“Nothing, Captain. We’ve covered every single inch of every lead we have.” Rebel released a hard sigh which told him that the other man was just as frustrated. “We’re in some sort of demented loop; the same damn song over and over again.”
“Did you contact the mall manager?”
“Yes.” Rebel glanced at his watch. “He’s expecting us in approximately thirty minutes.”
He stood and rounded the desk. “I’ll drive while you brief Chaos and Ace.”
Thunder kept one ear tuned to Rebel’s conversation with the other two men while he drove the distance to the mall and wondered what the hell to do. On one hand, protocol dictated they investigate the mall’s system just like the others but on the other hand, what if this was some sort of distraction? What if running all over town only to find another dead end was the intention all along? Maybe it would be best to sit back and watch. Hell, they could always plant Ace on the top of a building to watch through the end of a scope; sooner or later he’d have the opportunity to pull the trigger.
He parked in the massive parking lot as he once again muzzled his desire to shoot first and ask questions later. A slight chance something would surface was still a chance.
He turned to Rebel. “ETA?”
“Ace just parked. They’ll meet us inside at the security office.”
He took a quick look around the perimeter as they left the truck and headed across the lot and to the main entrance. The cluster of department stores and restaurants were stacked to make a three-story structure that offered almost anything a shopper desired. Although tall, the building’s roof was flat and hosted an outdoor café on one side.
He reached to unsnap the case on his left hip, removed his cell phone, and dialed Ace’s number.
“You’re loaded, aren’t you?” he said as soon as the call connected.
“Always.”
“Check out the roof.”
“Ten-four, Captain.”
He returned the phone to its holder and then entered the building. Outside the security office, Chaos stood next to a short, Asian man, who greeted them with an outstretched hand.
“Good afternoon. I am Henry Tamura.”
Thunder returned the gesture. “Beck Raines. This is Dagan Caldwell. I’ll assume Jace Taylor introduced himself.”
He almost winced as he made the introductions. The four of them had gone by code names for so long, the proper names were almost a foreign language.
“Yes,” the manager answered. “I met Mr. Moore, as well.”
Thunder nodded. “Thank you for meeting with us.”
“Of course. Please, come into the security office and we can discuss your visit.”
Thunder followed Tamura inside, impressed on first glance by the set-up. He counted twenty monitors positioned on two long counters behind which four uniformed men sat staring at the screens. Five screens per guy – most casinos didn’t practice that ratio.
The manager led them into a smaller room in one corner and gestured with his hand for them to sit at a round table in the center. Tamura took the last open seat.
“Mr. Caldwell mentioned you are investigating a computer system breach,” he began. “How may I be of assistance?”
Thunder decided to get the most important question out of the way. “Does the name Oliva Blackwell mean anything to you?”
“Liv!” The man’s eyes sparkled. “I know her very well.”
“Personally or professionally?”
“Both. Professionally, she and I serve on several charity boards together. Personally, she introduced my brother to his wife prior to their marriage five years ago.” He frowned. “Is she in some trouble?”
“She is the victim of the hack.”
“That’s extremely unfortunate, but I am shocked. Her electronic system is impressive.”
Chaos jumped right on the man’s statement. “You have knowledge about her network?”
“Not specifically. She and I researched safety options together when the mall needed an upgrade. She helped by giving me information about her network.”
Rebel rattled off a familiar explanation. “We’ve traced a breach back to the public network here. Is the network password protected?”
“There are actually three public networks assigned to the mall, none of which requires a password.”
Thunder clenched his teeth as anger stomped his stomach like a herd of wild horses. Now three networks were involved. Un-freaking-believable.
“To further complicate matters,” Tamura continued, “several of the establishments also offer public networks. Most do not require passwords but if they are protected, security keeps record of the passwords.”
Thunder frowned. “Won’t the network be registered to the individual store’s name?”
“Sometimes. Even so, we require notice of the password as an additional safeguard against criminal activity.”
His stomach began to settle. Things began to look up. At least Tamura had keys to more than one door.
“You said there are multiple networks. Is there any way to differentiate between them?”
Tamura nodded. “Each has identifying data.”
“This is the IP.” Rebel slid a piece of paper to Tamura. “Once we know which network was accessed, I’d like to view the security cameras that monitor the area.”
“Of course.” The manager stood and moved to the door. “I will return shortly with the information you require.”
As soon as he heard the telltale snap of the closed door, Thunder reached for his phone and dialed Ace again.
“Anything on your radar?”
“I have a pretty clear shot from anywhere up here.” Ace chuckled. “As far as Intel, there are three public networks registered on my device, all with significant range above and below the building. Did you get a hit on the address?”
“Working on it as we speak.”
“I don’t know, Captain.” The other man exhaled a hard breath. “Even with a hit, I get the feeling we’ll come up short.”
Ace didn’t need to say the words, he thought the same. Still, the deep-rooted desire for blood drove him to extinguish the cause of Liv’s distress.
“Any suspicious activity?”
“No, but I didn’t realize the mall has a VIP entrance.”
He raised an eyebrow at the information, also new to him. “Location?”
“South side of the building. Two doors with tinted windows on the second level, helipad on the top.”
“I’ll ask about it. We’ll meet you on the ground level in ten minutes.”
He disconnected as Tamura returned, hopeful the information would provide something useful.
“We have success, Gentlemen. The IP address you provided accessed our network on the south side of the building.”
Thunder sat forward. “Near the VIP entrance?”
Tamura nodded and then a slow smile split his lips. “That network is not public.”
“Someone had the password.” Although Chaos spoke softly, Thunder knew adrenaline gathered in his veins.
He hoped to hell Tamura would answer his next question as he expected.
“Do you keep a log?”
“Yes. I have provided you a copy.”
Rebel accepted the printout offered by the other man, moved his gaze to the paper for a quiet second, and then looked back up with fire in his eyes.
“Captain, Liv’s limousine signed in at fourteen hundred on the day of the breach.”
***
Inside the safety of Carley’s work room at Let’s Party, Liv sat with her friends and giggled as she slid her foot into a leather, white knee-length boot with a short heel. “Your mother actually wore these?”
“Not that pair,” Carley said as she nodded, “but yes, according to her and my grandmother, she had several pair of go-go boots.”
Sophie chuckled. “I know my mom did – she still has them. The boots and the short, tie dye skirts.”
“My father still has his leisure suit,” Kat added. “He swears he’d go back to the 1960s if he could.”
“Next Friday.” Carley grabbed a bright pink hula hoop out of the box in front of her. “The Kensworth Investments employee appreciation party will be the epitome of the 1960s.”
Kat raised an eyebrow. “Can you use that?”
“The hula hoop?”
Kat nodded.
“Somewhat.” Carley smirked. “Anyone else want to try?”
Kat nodded again and reached for the circular toy. “I’ll give it a shot.”
After a few failed attempts, their friend finally swung the hoop around her hips. Liv watched in awe when she finally settled in and crossed her arms as the toy traveled around her hips, seemingly on its own.
“You’re pretty good at that!”
“It’s really good exercise.” Kat shrugged and continued to swivel her hips.
Anna stood. “Do you have another one? She makes it look fun.”
“Sure!” Carley handed a yellow hula hoop to Anna and again, Liv watched it make quick circles around Anna’s hips.
“There’s plenty more,” Carley added. “I’m planning a contest at the party.”
Sophie giggled. “No thanks, Carley. They can hula for me.”
“Liv had plenty of exercise last night,” Anna drawled.
Liv laughed out loud at Anna’s accusation, refusing to admit or deny anything. Her body pleasantly ached in places that had been dormant for far too long and she had sore muscles in places she didn’t even realize she had muscles. But exercise? No, she wouldn’t classify what she and Thunder did last night as exercise. Undeniable, pleasurable fun with a truly orgasmic ending, perhaps.
Goosebumps danced on her skin as her mind replayed several key moments in last night’s action. The man was truly good at everything. Freaking everything.
“She’s zoned out again.” Sophie’s bubbly voice penetrated her thoughts. “And I’m the newlywed.”
“I need some of these for my classroom.” Anna stopped swiveling and her hoop fell to the floor. “My kids would love them.”
Liv pulled the second boot over her leg, zipped them both, and then stood. “Do you have a dress in there, Carley?”
“Sure.” Her friend tossed her a neon green sheath printed with bright orange and yellow daisies. “Oh, and here. There’s a matching headband.”
Liv took the items and went into Carley’s office to change. Soon, she re-entered the room with a sway of her hips and a smile.
“Do my boots look like they’re made for walking?”
“Oh, Liv!” Sophie giggled and clasped her hands to her chest. “You look perfect!”
Kat patted the fluffy bump of hair behind the headband. “Your job is so awesome, Carley. I play dress-up more with you than I ever did as a child.”
Liv totally agreed. If Thunder insisted they stay behind lock and key, at least Carley made sure they were entertained.
She released a soft sigh. “Anybody have any more dirt on my hacker?”
Sophie tilted her head to one side. “Rebel asked me for information on Aaron Chapman and the gallery, but you know everything I know.”
“I’ve been thinking about Mr. Chapman and the gallery.” Anna bent to pick up her hula hoop and then placed it back into Carley’s box. “Art is a very specialized business. If our guy really has something on Mr. Chapman, he’s an art junkie.”
Kat giggled as she sat in the chair next to Liv’s and crossed her legs. “Art junkie. I like that.”
“There might be something to that observation,” Carley agreed. “And if he is knowledgeable, he’s not an average Joe.”
Sophie nodded. “He obviously knew about the public networks he used. I don’t believe he drove all over the city until he just stumbled on an open network.”
“I don’t either.” Liv crossed her arms over her chest. “I think he frequents the places where he accessed the connection.”
Anna released a hard breath. “Yet he manages to dodge the cameras every time.”
“All the more reason he knows the area,” Sophie pointed out.
“This is insanely frustrating,” Kat said, “but I know for a fact that Alpha Four will find him. Chaos is determined to blow something up.”
Liv grinned. All four of those men were determined to hunt down this fool. Her phone rang and she snatched it from the table. Thunder’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hi,” she said as she connected the call.
“Brighton is on the way to pick up all of you.” His heavy breathing told he was either making an obscene call or he was on the move. “We’ll meet you at Alpha Four headquarters.”
She issued her response in complete confidence; his demeanor left no reason for questioning. “You found something.”
“Maybe.”
“How long?”
“Brighton is en route. ETA ten minutes or less.”
Despite the severity of the situation, his military speak caused her body to heat. Too bad there was a maniac on the loose.
“Okay, we’ll see you there.” She disconnected and then gazed at her friends. “Well ladies, we’ve been summoned to headquarters.”
***
Approximately a half hour later, Thunder stood braced with one hip against a chair and released a sigh of relief when all five women entered the Alpha Four meeting room. Although he had no reason to suspect they were in immediate danger, having them all in one place put his mind at ease. He moved his gaze over Liv, focused on the boots that hugged her legs, and swallowed hard while his cock stood up and took notice. Very enticing, those legs.
As soon as her gaze met his and she batted those long, sexy eyelashes, he wasted no time in closing the distance between them and pulling her into a tight embrace. Her breath penetrated the cotton of his shirt and caressed his chest, tempting his already heated body to proceed with things totally inappropriate in front of an audience. The sensual ache caused him to tuck her further within the confines of his embrace.
“Thunder,” she whispered against him, “is everything okay?”
Reluctantly, he released her and planted a swift kiss on her lips. “Sit down and I’ll explain.”
He waited until she sat next to Sophie and then he took the chair on the opposite side. “Since Chapman’s email was sent across the network at the mall, we reviewed both that activity and the security camera footage.”
“Did you find anything?”
He gave a slow nod. “Someone representing Forever Yours logged into the VIP network connection at two o’clock p.m. on the day the email was sent.”
“Who?”
“I’m hoping your system has the answer to that.”
As usual, Rebel sat behind a computer and tapped keys. “Damn.”
“What?”
“None of the IP addresses of the devices that Liv provides for her employees match the device used to access the network.”
He gave her hand a squeeze. “Do you suppose they use their personal devices while on the clock?”
“Since my business is built on confidentiality, I ask that they lock up their personal phones in the office safe while they work. Each device is signed in and out by the employee and me and I’m the only one with the combination to the safe. Rebel can pull up the log, but I’m confident everyone’s device is accounted for.”
“What about a client?”
“That’s plausible. I don’t monitor those devices.” She glanced at Rebel. “Pull up the schedule and I’ll call the client.
Rebel spoke after a series of keystrokes. “Missy Evans.”
“Oh.” Liv shifted in her chair. “There’s no need to call her. She sends me email constantly so I’m sure the address is in my system several times.”
Thunder squeezed the bridge of his nose. This case had been a helluva roller coaster ride. “She uses her phone?”
She nodded. “It’s her second brain.”
“Is there any reason she’d want to hack your system?”
“I don’t think so. I’ve known her for quite some time and I consider us friends.”
“She uses your services frequently?”
“She’s still looking for Mr. Right.”
“Found it.” Rebel glanced up from the screen. “She accessed the network but not with the address we’re looking for.”
Thunder swallowed another curse. “What about the employee log?”
“All devices accounted for.”
“Who drove that day?”
“Wilson. Only a phone call to Liv’s phone from his.”
Liv shrugged. “He spends a lot of time studying.”
“Did you see anyone on the cameras?” Thunder didn’t hold out much hope but the question was worth asking.
“Wilson and Ms. Evans.” Rebel ran a hand over his jaw. “Since the logs and addresses confirm the identities. I’d say we can rule them out.”
Chaos sat back in his chair and folded his hands behind his head. “I’m not so sure this is entirely directed at Liv. We’ve now questioned three victims, all of whom are clients of hers but are also connected in a roundabout way to Kat, Carley, and Sophie.”
Although Thunder agreed, it was still a puzzle. “He hasn’t attempted to reach out to any of them. And, if our guy is professional, why the public networks?”
“Montez has people at his disposal.” Ace smirked. “I highly doubt he’d use a novice.”
Rebel released a hard breath. “It is possible he doesn’t have anything to do with this.”
“Anything’s possible.” The words stung Thunder’s tongue as he spoke. As much as he hated to confront Montez again, at least he was a familiar enemy.
Kat frowned. “Don’t you find it strange that he hasn’t issued any kind of threat?”
“I wondered the same thing,” Carley added. “Montez didn’t hesitate to threaten me.”
“Or me,” Sophie agreed.
Thunder hesitated to respond, partly because he had no concrete evidence for his answer but mostly because he didn’t need it. “He’s like a cat toying with a mouse, patting it between his paws before he goes in for the kill.”
Silence coated the room for the next few seconds and he braced himself for the slap in the face he expected from at least one woman in the room. In all reality he probably deserved it for issuing such a blunt explanation. Yet, he’d never been one to sugar coat anything and he wouldn’t now.
“Well,” Liv said over a half laugh, “that explains why you’ve been so careful.”
Kat grinned. “Careful, right. More like Me, Tarzan, You, Jane.”
“Kat,” Chaos growled.
She leaned to the side and kissed his cheek. “We get it.”
“So what now?” Liv placed on hand over his.
“We wait.” He braided their fingers and then glanced at his sister, almost concerned she hadn’t chimed in. “Are you okay?”
“Fine, but I can’t go home, can I?”
“No. Not until we get to the bottom of this.”
“You said yourself that no one knows about me,” she reminded him.
“Doesn’t matter. You’re safer where I can see you.” He smirked. “For many reasons.”
Rebel closed the lid on the computer. “If it is Montez, he’s figured out we’re involved. He can’t help himself, he’ll materialize sooner or later.”
“And then we take him out.” Ace shrugged. “At least that’s the plan anyway.”
Thunder squeezed Liv’s fingers. “Are you ready to go home?”
“Almost.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got one more appointment.”
“How long will it last?”
“It’s a dinner meeting. I should be done by eight o’clock.”
He raised an eyebrow while he mentally kicked himself for not checking her schedule. “Brighton is driving, right?”
“Yes.” She smiled and his heart skipped a beat. “And he’ll deliver me home afterwards.”
He paused while his heart rolled over like a satisfied dog after a belly scratching. Home. It really didn’t matter exactly where that was as long as they were together.
“Your house,” she clarified.
He nodded. “I’ll see you soon.”
***
With his hands shaking, he drove next to the curb outside his designated meeting spot, shifted the car into park, and then palmed the burner phone on the seat next to him. Sweat droplets formed on his forehead as he pressed the single number to connect him to his source and he nearly squeezed the phone in two as he waited for the call to connect, desperate to end the business once and for all.
When the voice answered on the other end, he spoke quickly. “The package was delivered.”
“Excellent. You have forwarded me confirmation?”
“Yes, and you should know that I’m throwing in the towel.”
“You no longer wish to continue providing your services?”
“No,” he said without one iota of doubt. “And if you were smart, you’d give up too. Someone is monitoring that system and it’s only a matter of time before they figure out who’s behind the breach. I’m removing myself from the equation.”
“That’s a shame.”
He heard a slight rustle across the line, as if his source covered the mouthpiece. For several seconds he waited in agony, halfway expecting something far worse than exposure. Although he didn’t have any information about the source for whom he worked, he had a distinct feeling that quitting was detrimental. Even so, he was willing to take the risk.
“Dispose of the phone,” the voice said finally. “We will not attempt contact again.”
Fear refused to let relief invade his nerves.
“I must advise you,” the source continued, “that any breach in confidentiality will have a dire effect on your life. Do you understand?”
“Completely.”
The guy had nothing to worry about on that front. He intended to erase every single link to him or his services. His hands shook even more and he squeezed the device impossibly harder in his grip to attempt to stop them.
“You don’t have to concern yourself with me. I’m not a snitch.”
“I am not in the least bit worried.” A low, sinister snicker crossed the line. “Believe me when I say it is in your best interest to disappear.”