Shadow, p.11
Shadow, page 11
part #6 of Linear Tactical Series
Troy looked away. “I needed money. I have nearly a hundred thousand dollars in student loans from undergrad. He paid well for stuff that really wasn’t important. I figured he was reverse engineering some stuff and needed the data to make it easier. But I swear, none of what I sold was government secrets.”
If that was true, and Troy hadn’t let it progress any further, then he wouldn’t be in real trouble with the feds. Theft was bad news, but not nearly as bad as selling government research secrets. That would be considered treason.
But minor theft wouldn’t have left this kid so badly beaten and in the hospital. There had to be more to it.
“But it escalated,” Heath prompted.
Troy nodded. “That earlier stuff . . . I don’t think it was what the buyer wanted at all. I think it was just to reel me in, to force me into a place where I couldn’t say no when something big like the microchip became available. And I don’t think I’m the only one he’s got in his pocket.”
“Veronica Williams? Dale Hudson?”
Troy shifted slightly on the bed. “Both of them had access. Especially Professor Hudson. Veronica’s a grad student like me, but Professor Hudson would have complete access to everything.”
Plus, Hudson was having an affair with Veronica. Were they working together? Was Hudson keeping Veronica close to prevent her from figuring out what he was doing?
Rodriguez and Collins had been assigned to surveil Veronica and Hudson. If either of them did something odd, the newbies would report it immediately.
“I haven’t told you everything,” Troy whispered.
Heath’s eyes locked with Troy’s. “What?”
“The microchip is dangerous.”
“I know that. It’s why I’m here.” Heath didn’t need to know the specifics to know it couldn’t fall into the wrong hands. Whatever the microchip did, it was dangerous.
“Okay. But without the initial algorithm, the info on the chip is pretty useless. There’s no baseline for the microchip to begin its progress.”
Heath’s eyes narrowed. “So it takes two parts in order to make it work.”
“Eventually, it won’t need the separate algorithm. That’s part of what we’re working on in the biomedical engineering lab. But yes, right now, two parts.”
Heath nodded. “Okay. What’s the problem?”
“I realized on Thursday the algorithm had been replaced with a fake. I came across it accidentally. Whoever switched it out obviously meant to do so undetected.”
“So one of the two parts needed are already gone.” Damn it.
Troy’s look was even more pinched. “Actually . . . both parts are already gone.”
Heath moved closer. “What exactly are you saying, Powell?”
“When I noticed the algorithm switch, I took the microchip. I know it doesn’t seem this way, but I was actually trying to do the right thing. Keep it out of the buyers’ hands.”
“Do you have it now?” Heath asked.
“No. I went out for drinks on Thursday. Veronica and Professor Hudson were there. I wasn’t sure what to do about the wrong algorithm or the microchip. There was a slim chance the algorithm change could’ve been due to human error. But when I brought up the error, everybody got mad.”
Heath nodded. “Okay.” That had to have been just minutes before Heath arrived. “Tell me more about that.”
“Veronica was defensive since she was the last one to set the algorithm. So if it was an error, it was hers. She didn’t like that. Professor Hudson wasn’t thrilled with me bringing it up either.”
Again, that could be because Hudson was sleeping with Veronica.
Troy shook his head. “I told them I thought we needed to up security. Professor Hudson told me not do anything rash like report it. He would look into it himself and take the necessary measures.”
“But you didn’t think that was enough.”
“No.”
Heath wiped a hand down his face. “Yet you didn’t really want anyone looking into security because it was going to uncover the other things you’d done.”
“Pretty much.” Troy nodded.
Jesus. “So you decided to handle it yourself? What? Go back and get the microchip?”
“No. I went home. I walked, which was a stupid idea. I never made it. I was attacked.”
Heath balled his fist. This didn’t make any sense. What purpose would it serve for the buyer to attack Troy?
“What was it, a warning? To back off about the security or to scare you into stealing the microchip for the buyer yourself?”
Troy shifted in his bed, looking away again. “No. I’d already taken the microchip before I went to the restaurant Thursday.”
“What?” Did this mean the chip and the algorithm were already gone? “Did the attacker know that?”
Troy nodded.
“So the buyer already has the microchip,” Heath muttered.
Damn it. He reached for his phone. He needed to get Craig and every other available trustworthy FBI agent on this. Like right damn now.
“No,” Troy said, barely more than a whisper.
Heath took a deep breath. “Finish, Powell. Now.”
Troy started talking quickly. “After I had the argument with Professor Hudson and Veronica, I got nervous. They were acting weird. Plus, two big guys were hanging around that I’d seen around before. So I handed the microchip off to someone else.”
“Who?”
“Someone not in the biomed department. I kissed her and slipped it into her sweater pocket while she was distracted.”
Heath could feel his teeth grind together. “You gave the microchip to Lyn Norris?”
“She was the only one I knew for sure wasn’t in on this. I couldn’t trust any of my biomedical engineering colleagues.”
Events from the past twenty-four hours snapped into place. No wonder someone had trashed her apartment and tried to abduct her from her office.
She did have the microchip.
“And you told whoever attacked you that you gave it to her.” Heath could feel rage pooling in his blood.
“I only said some girl named Lyn. I don’t think the thugs who hit me meant to put me in a coma, I just hit the wall wrong.”
Heath had no doubt that if Troy had remained conscious, he would’ve given up every detail about Lyn, and she’d be dead or badly hurt and the microchip in the buyer’s hands.
“Is there anything else?” he asked the younger man, who now had a sickly cast to his skin.
“No, that’s it.” Troy’s voice was small.
“People did come after her, Powell. It’s a good thing for you she wasn’t hurt.” Or else Heath might be finishing what the thugs had started.
“I’m sorry. I was trying to make up for the other bad stuff I’d done. Make sure the wrong person didn’t get his hands on the microchip.”
Heath nodded. Troy was done in the graduate program. He’d be lucky if he didn’t actually do some prison time. But Heath believed Troy had been trying to do what he’d thought was right in this situation.
Thankfully, Lyn was safe at Heath’s apartment. No one knew where he lived. The name and address listed at the university was totally different from his real apartment.
Noah opened the door and tilted his head toward the hallway. “Can I see you out here?”
Heath nodded, then looked at Troy. “I’m not sure how this is all going to play out, but I’ll be sure to let people know that you were trying to help.”
Troy nodded and Heath walked out with Noah.
“Collins just reported in. She tried contacting you but didn’t get a response,” Noah said once the door was closed. “Veronica Williams slipped her tail about thirty minutes ago.”
“Deliberately?”
Noah nodded. “Very deliberately. As in she had some sort of hired muscle that knocked Collins unconscious.”
“Shit. I need to get back to my place. It ends up Lyn does have the microchip. Troy planted it on her.”
Noah raised an eyebrow. “On Lyn?”
“It’s a long story.” He grabbed his phone to call her and saw he had two missed texts from about twenty minutes ago.
Hey, I forgot my charger at my house yesterday. Phone is about to die so I’ll see you when you get here.
But the next one had him running down the hospital corridor at a sprint.
Veronica Williams called. She’s coming over to chat.
He called Lyn’s phone as he ran, but her battery must’ve already been dead. It went straight to voice mail.
Lyn was at his apartment alone and had no idea Veronica might have plans to hurt her.
Heath ran faster.
Chapter Fourteen
Hey, where ARE you? Two kisses on Thursday from two different guys and then I get NO details. Need a girls chat, stat.
Lyn made a face at Veronica’s text. Lyn wasn’t really into girl chat, and while Veronica seemed friendly enough, Lyn definitely didn’t want to talk about kissing either Troy or Heath.
But she also wanted Veronica to be safe. So if that meant inviting her over here so whoever was searching for the microchip wouldn’t hurt her . . . Lyn would make do.
Her phone battery was about to die, and in her rush to get out of the townhouse last night, she’d forgotten her charger.
Heath had made it sound like it would be quite a while before he returned. Might as well get her over here so he wouldn’t have to worry about protection detail at two different locations.
I’m at Heath’s. He’s out for a while. Want to come over?
HECK YEAH. I’ll bring coffee.
She gave Veronica the address, then texted Heath to tell him the plan. She waited, a little disappointed when he didn’t respond right away.
Was it just her, or had he been acting a little funny this morning? Not that she could blame him . . . finding out she was related to Wyoming’s governor tended to be a little overwhelming. Not to mention, Gavin was almost a celebrity in his own right when it came to law enforcement. Groups from all over the country came to train with the guys from Linear Tactical. It wasn’t surprising Heath knew him.
She hadn’t been trying to lie to him about anything. It was so much easier to be Lyn Norris sometimes than Jacquelyn Zimmerman.
She’d make sure he understood that when he got back. That she hadn’t meant any deceit.
Surely, he would understand. She’d sort of been on her own version of undercover.
Because she definitely didn’t want to let this come between them. Last night had been beyond amazing. Yesterday, she might have doubted that he truly found her beautiful, but she could not possibly have those same doubts this morning. She could still feel him everywhere. If she closed her eyes, she could feel his lips skimming over her throat and shoulders and beyond.
But that wasn’t the sort of stuff she wanted to share with Veronica. That was private. Personal. She didn’t want to share those details with anyone. Would Veronica push? Had she made a mistake inviting her?
Maybe she should tell her not to come. Surely her safety wasn’t in too much danger. She glanced down at her phone and found it off—completely out of power.
Girls’ chat it was.
Lyn had barely finished getting dressed in what she’d brought from her house—yoga pants and a long-sleeved shirt—and braiding her hair down her back when the doorbell rang. That was quicker than she’d thought.
Lyn opened the door, and Veronica bounded in.
“Hey, sweetie.” The taller woman threw her arms around Lyn, even with coffee cups in both hands. “Look at you, here in a man’s house so early in the morning. There must have been some naughty deeds going on last night!”
So much for Veronica not pushing. Lyn returned Veronica’s enthusiastic hug a little awkwardly. She wasn’t much of a hugger. “Hi, Veronica.”
Veronica released her, and they walked into the kitchen. Lyn added some milk and sugar to the coffee cup Veronica handed her, because it needed it, but also to gain a little space.
“Rewind to Thursday and start with Troy. Is there something going on with him? I had no idea. And now Janitor Hottie?” Veronica was firing out the questions faster than Lyn could answer them, not that she wanted to.
“No, there’s nothing going on between Troy and me. He kissed me at the restaurant totally out of the blue. I had no idea he was interested in me like that.”
“That doesn’t seem like Troy. There must be more between you than you’re telling me.”
Why did Veronica want to talk about Troy? They were sitting here in Heath’s apartment. Obviously, Lyn hadn’t chosen Troy.
Lyn gave the best smile she could manage, then took a sip of her coffee. “There’s not much to tell. It was pretty awkward.”
And now he was in the hospital and possibly part of some illegal scheme to sell government secrets. Definitely awkward.
But Veronica was not to be deterred. She moved closer and bumped Lyn with her hip. “How did Troy do it? Move in fast? Slow? You guys were outside, right?”
As much as Lyn hadn’t wanted to share intimate details about her night with Heath, she definitely did not want to talk about her kiss with Troy.
She took a gulp of her coffee, burning her mouth, and moved to the other side of the table. “Heath’s kiss was much more interesting, no doubt about it.” Surely this would get Veronica off the topic.
Nope. “But you’ve known Troy for a while, right? Do you guys have a past? There’s more than you’re telling, isn’t there?”
Lyn shook her head, taken aback. “No. Never. Let’s change the subject, okay? Talk about other girl stuff.”
Veronica studied her from across the table as if looking for clues. Is that how girl chats normally went? If so, Lyn hadn’t been missing much over the years. This was decidedly uncomfortable.
Finally, Veronica smiled. “Okay, no past history, and Troy just came up out of the blue and kissed you. Did he say or do anything weird?”
“Besides a very public, unprovoked kiss? Um, no.” Wasn’t that enough?
Veronica took her phone out of her pocket and texted someone. This entire situation had become super weird. Lyn was used to most social interactions being awkward, but this went even beyond that. Veronica finished her text and looked up from her phone.
She didn’t even look like the same person.
All semblance of the friend who had come to the door a few minutes ago was gone. The person sitting across from her now was cold, calculating, unfeeling.
“This is your last chance, Lyn.” Veronica leaned forward on the table. “Tell me what is going on between you and Troy. Are you partners?”
Lyn sat up straighter in her chair. “Nothing is going on between me and Troy. Something happened between me and Heath, but you don’t seem to care about that.”
“The janitor? No, we definitely don’t care about him. Although he was quite problematic at the school yesterday.”
We? Who was we? And why did Veronica know about what had happened on campus?
Lyn stood. “I think you need to leave, Veronica.”
Veronica stood also. She was taller than Lyn, probably stronger. Could Lyn get around her if she ran? A knock on the door interrupted Lyn’s thoughts.
Heath? No. He wouldn’t be knocking on his own door.
Even worse, Veronica didn’t seem surprised by the knock at all. She grabbed Lyn’s arm, pulled her to the door, and opened it.
There stood the man with the gun from yesterday and another guy, bald. Maybe even the one Lyn had seen at the restaurant. Veronica let them into the apartment, obviously friendly.
Finally, common sense broke through Lyn’s stupor. She snatched her arm from the other woman’s hold, sprinting toward the back door. But the first man caught her halfway across the living room. He thrust her so hard into the bookshelves lining Heath’s sidewall that half of them fell over.
What was it with this guy and trying to kill her with books?
He backhanded her; pain exploded through her face, sending her stumbling to the floor.
Maybe he planned to kill her by any means necessary.
“You should’ve just told me what you know about Troy, Lyn.” Veronica tsked and shook her head. “Max here isn’t known for subtlety.”
Lyn could taste blood in her mouth where her teeth had cut the inside of her cheek. She slid away from Max. The bald guy stood guard by the front door.
“I don’t know anything about Troy.” She pointed at Max. “And I don’t know anything about the microchip this jerk was talking about yesterday when he grabbed me.”
“We know you have it,” Veronica said.
“Why do you think that?” Her voice sounded weird from the swelling in her mouth. Her heart thumped in an uneven gallop. She needed her pills. They were in Heath’s bedroom. “You know I’m not in your department. Why would I have a microchip?”
“Troy gave it to you,” Veronica said.
“No, he didn’t. We aren’t partners in anything. He’s in the hospital. How could he have given me anything?”
“He gave it to you Thursday night, Lyn.”
Lyn froze. That kiss. Troy’s weird behavior. He’d given her the microchip, slipped it into her purse or something.
“That’s right. Or did you really think he’d kissed you because he was interested?” Veronica smirked and looked over Lyn as she lay sprawled on the floor. “I still can’t believe the janitor wanted you. Especially once I saw him in street clothes.”
Lyn ignored the crack about her and Heath. “If Troy gave me the microchip, he never told me about it.”
“Before he decided to go into a coma like a little bitch, he admitted he’d given the microchip to someone named Lyn. That’s obviously you.” Veronica leered at her. “Max tried to find the microchip at your townhouse, then your office. He planned to question you, but your janitor boyfriend got in the way. I tried to call you last night to see if I could get any closer, but you didn’t answer.”
Max was obviously fed up with the talking. He leaned down and got into Lyn’s face, his breath hot and putrid. “Where’s your purse?” He grabbed Lyn by the shirt. She cringed, preparing for another blow.
Veronica intervened. “Max, relax. Let’s not have another coma incident. Her purse is in the kitchen.”
