Page 80 of Night Moves
“Not quite that easy. Erik will need to use specialized software to review the data and track what was going on with the infotainment unit at the same time. That will give us the most complete picture of Gentry’s whereabouts.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe all that information is there waiting for you to access.”
“It’s not always available.” He looked over his shoulder. “There are companies out there who provide owners with a service to clear their history. Sort of like you clear your internet history.”
“But why do that if you’re not up to no good?”
He backed out of the vehicle and took the toolkit. “Because someone could access the info and use it against you. And some people are just freaks about privacy. We use the service to clear our history when we close-out a case so no one can track our clients.”
She shook her head. “All this interconnectivity is great, but nothing is private anymore.”
“That’s the truth.” He glanced around the lot. “Keep your eyes open, and give me a heads up for anyone coming.”
She did as asked, but kept checking to see what he was doing too. He removed a car panel and unhooked connectors, which he promptly connected to a device from his toolkit. Time ticked slowly by as she nervously watched around them. She felt like a kid waiting to be caught and was thankful when he closed up the panel and snapped the toolkit lid closed.
“Finished. Let’s go.” He flashed her another smile, and they hurried to the SUV. He set the toolkit in the back seat and slid behind the wheel then called Erik.
“Yo,” Erik answered over the speaker. “Get the data?”
“I did, and we’re heading straight back there. I wanted to make sure you were ready and had everything you need to process it when we get back.”
“I can do it, but I think there might be a faster method. I’m heading down to see Nick, and I’ll ask if he’s written an algorithm that can process the data faster.”
“Great idea,” Drake said. “We’ll be back in less than thirty.”
“If you want me to do this quickly, bring burgers and fries. And a chocolate shake. Maybe two.”
“Two?”
“I’m still a growing boy.” He laughed and hung up.
Drake turned to smile at Natalie. “Won’t be long now, and we could very well know where to find Gentry.”
20
Drake placed the burgers, fries, and shakes on the table next to Erik, and the savory scent filled the room. Drake and Natalie had smelled the goodness for the last ten minutes in the SUV, and Drake was fairly salivating, but he stood back to let Erik and Natalie go first.
Erik grabbed a burger and unwrapped it. “Now get out of here so I can work alone.”
“I thought we’d eat here so we’d be nearby when you find something,” Drake said, not wanting to put off scarfing down a burger any longer.
“Not if you want to live, you won’t.” Erik chuckled and shoved a few fries into his mouth.
“But I—”
“Apparently you have a death wish, since you’re still here.” Erik cocked his head. “Seriously. I’ll work a whole lot faster alone. Take your food to your condo. Have a nice meal with Natalie, and I’ll call you the second I have anything.”
Natalie laid a hand on Drake’s arm. “I’m a pretty good dinner companion. And I don’t bite”—she nodded to Erik—“unlike him, apparently.” She laughed.
Erik laughed with her and dipped a fry into a mound of ketchup. Drake couldn’t even manage a smile. He wanted the information the moment Erik found it, but his brother had the right to work alone if that’s the way he worked best. Drake would expect Erik to flake off if he needed to be alone, and Drake needed to respect that.
He grabbed the food bag then marched to the door and held it open for Natalie.
“It really won’t bethatbad,” she said, preceding him into the hallway.
He shook his head to clear away his frustration. “I don’t mind having dinner with you. In fact, I’m all for it. I just feel like this is the lead we’ve been searching for, and I don’t want to waste even a second. Gentry could skate before we get to him.”
Drake fell into step with her as they started down the hallway to the skybridge. The sun still burned high in the sky, but would soon drop and the whole city spread out before them would be glowing with vibrant oranges and reds.
