Page 53 of Riptide
Tom and Reagan exchanged a look, trying not to laugh. Piper actually giggled. Wade rolled his eyes.
Gabe sighed. "Is it actually a surveillance tower?"
"It appears to be a treehouse for his grandkids. But Mrs. Sampson insists you come personally."
Gabe closed his eyes. "Ten four. I'll be there in ten minutes."
He looked at the team. "Find that program. Whatever it takes." His eyes landed on Cara last. "Be careful."
"I'll walk you out," she said.
They walked through the dim bakery in silence. The emergency exit signs glowed green, giving the space a strange feel. Only the fading scents of yeast and sugar and spices seemed familiar.
At the front door, Gabe turned to face her. The streetlights cast them in shadow, mist creating a cocoon of privacy.
He reached out, touched her arm gently. "Cara, be careful. Please."
She didn't pull away. "I will."
"And whatever you're planning... try to keep it legal."
"I promise."
"Which part?"
Cara looked away. "I should get back."
Gabe wanted to ask what she wasn't telling him. But he couldn't. If he pushed too hard too fast, she’d pull even farther away.
He spotted the day-old pastries on the counter, grabbed a scone. "Breakfast tomorrow."
The normal gesture broke some tension. Made Cara almost smile.
"Cara—" She looked at him. "I meant what I said downstairs. I want to help. However I can."
"I know. Thank you." Something vulnerable in her voice.
He stepped out into the mist, turned back once to see her standing in the doorway, light behind her making her look small and alone.
Then she closed the door and he heard the lock click.
He stood in the fog for a moment, scone in hand, thinking about a woman with too many secrets and a predator closing in.
And wondering which would destroy them first—Blaire Mitchell or the truth.
16
Cara headed backdown the basement stairs, the door clicking shut behind her.
The team looked up when she walked in. Tom at his monitors, Wade at the whiteboard, Reagan leaning against the table, Piper cross-legged on the floor.
Tom spun his chair. "We need to talk strategy. We can't just gather evidence on Blaire—we need to shut her down completely."
Somehow, all eyes shifted to Cara. The decision wasn't hard. "Whatever it takes," she agreed.
"Cool." Piper shot her a look both serious and worshipful. "So Dad, can you hack her?"
Tom leaned back and clasped his hands behind his neck. "Any system can be hacked. Doing it without the mark noticing is the problem. If someone like Blaire detects the intrusion, she'll burn everything and disappear."
