Page 28 of Cold Silence
Gage typed the data into his phone. So did Travis. He was going to pay the guy a visit tomorrow. Nothing they learned tonight would stop that.
She logged off the computer and pushed past Travis to start for the door. “Let’s get a move on, so we can be back here in time to help.”
“Hold up.” Travis stepped in front of her. “We need to clear the area and bring the car to the curb to minimize any danger to you.”
She peered at him, eyes darkening. “Is that really necessary?”
“I’ll make a sweep and get my car,” Gage said before Travis could answer.
Travis figured his buddy didn’t want to stand around and argue when action could be taken.
“I know you want to find the missing prototype,” Travis said. “But if I haven’t made it clear, let me do so now. Your safety comes above everything. Everything.”
She took a step back. Maybe from his forceful tone. He shouldn’t have scared her, but she needed to take her safety seriously. He plunged on before she could argue.
“To that end, whenever you leave or enter a building, Gage and I will be with you. One of us checking things out, the other at your side.”
“Okay,” she said.
“I know you’re used to thinking for yourself. Making snap decisions. But during those transit times, more than any other time, we’ll do the thinking for you, and we need you to listen to our directives. No second-guessing our commands or refusing to comply.”
“Got it,” she said tersely.
“And don’t get mad at me for having to be such a dictator. We can kiss and make up when I get you to your place without incident.” He grinned but kept his gaze roving for Gage.
She didn’t smile, but her shoulders relaxed a notch.
Gage pulled up and got out to open the back door of his large SUV. “We’re clear to move.”
“Straight into the car.” Travis took her arm and led her out the door to rush her into the vehicle. He climbed in beside her.
Gage closed the door and ran around the front to the driver’s seat to get them heading toward the exit. He stopped at the guard booth.
Claire lowered her window, letting in a wet wash of sultry air. She smiled at the young officer on guard duty.
He stepped forward and cast a suspicious look at Gage and Travis. “Everything okay, Dr. Reed?”
“Everything’s fine. Captain Chapman and Mr. Blackwell will be spending a few days working here with me. We’re leaving for a bit, but will be back in an hour or so.”
He cocked his head. “And your other guests?”
“Still working.”
“Roger that.” He saluted Claire and opened the gate.
Gage pulled through, and Claire gave him her home address, which he plugged into GPS.
They rode in silence to her rental house. Not a comfortable silence, but one that spoke to the danger of the situation and the unease Claire continued to have with Travis. Shoot, he was uneasy too. Gage seemed to pick up on it as he kept moving in the front seat as if squirming under the tension and wanting to get out. Travis didn’t blame his buddy. He was taught to notice personal dynamics and couldn’t be missing the tension.
Gage pulled into the driveway of the house Claire had moved to since she’d given Travis his marching orders. Outside security lights came on, and he got a good look at the stucco bungalow painted white with black windows and trim and boasting a clay roof.
“I’ve got the outside,” Gage said and climbed out.
Claire faced Travis. “Seems like the two of you are in sync.”
“We worked quite a few missions together, and you learn to predict what the other person needs before they ask.”
“I watched your training video. Got a feel for what you must go through on your ops.” She bit her lip. “It was at the same time scary and impressive.”
