Page 62 of The B-Team

“All he’d need is someone’s login info and password,” Joe pointed out.

“Yeah, but how would he get that? It’s not like we’d hand it over to him.”

They stared at each other with dawning comprehension.

“Callum,” they said at the same time.

“I thought he’d stopped writing everything down on Post-its,” Dimitri said.

“I’m pretty sure he’s just become stealthier about where he keeps his info. If the cops search the office, they’re bound to find something he’s squirreled away.” Joe got up and went to the door. “I’m going to see if they’ll let me call my wife.” He glanced back at Dimitri. “After all, she is due any minute.”

“Good idea,” Dimitri said with a shake of his head.

Callum McKay—the only security expert in the world who hated passwords and refused to memorize them. Dimitri always knew it would be something dumb that took them down, but he never would have guessed Callum would be the source.

Julia melted like ice cream in the sun when she heard Joe’s voice on the phone. Ryan signaled to the rest of the team to clear the room to give them some privacy, and they quietly gathered their things before heading out.

As he was about to follow, Julia waved him down. “Joe’s come to the same conclusion we have,” she said. “That the commander’s after our files. He says to grill Isobel about Callum’s passwords because that’s our weakest link.”

“We’ve already gone over that with her,” Ryan said gently. “She insists he doesn’t leave them lying around anymore.”

“Joe says to ask her again.”

Ryan didn’t bother arguing or pointing out that Joe was locked up instead of here, dealing with the crazies that made up their makeshift rescue team.

“Will do,” he said, then skedaddled before Joe made any further attempts to manage things from a distance.

Belinda hovered in the doorway, keeping an eye on her sister.

“When she’s done talking, make sure she sleeps, will you?” Ryan said. “It’s the best thing for her. Plus, I told Sarah all the pregnant women were sleeping while we worked, and if she wakes up to find out Julia didn’t sleep, she’ll be mad.”

“Got it,” Belinda said. “All pregnant women sleep through the night.”

“Thanks.” Ryan patted her on the shoulder as he passed.

When he reached the kitchen, where everyone had set up to work, he sighed. He should have taken a leaf out of Harvard’s book and taken his wife home to her own bed. He could have searched the files just as easily from his house as here. And he wouldn’t have had to deal with his “team” while doing so.

“I’m making coffee,” Isobel said cheerfully as he entered the room.

“I’m on sandwiches.” Claire motioned to the pile of buttered bread in front of her.

The promise of food made Ryan feel a whole lot better about his decision to stay at Julia’s. He pulled up a chair at the kitchen table, where someone had placed the laptop he’d been using.

“Joe said to ask you about Callum’s passwords,” he told Isobel.

The famous Scottish temper that afflicted half of the Benson Security staff flared. “I already told you,” she snapped. “He doesn’t do that anymore. He’s reformed, and it’s a bit offensive that everybody keeps asking me about this. Do you think I’m lying? Honestly! This borders on harassment.”

“To be fair.” Claire was being generous with the sandwich toppings; Ryan was happy to note. “Callum does have a reputation when it comes to online security. We even hear stories in Invertary.”

“Well stop it.” Isobel’s eyes flashed. “It’s reckless gossip, and I won’t stand for it.”

Claire rolled her eyes. “Touchy much?”

“I’m going to touch you in a minute.” Isobel turned to her, wooden spoon in hand. “Really hard, across the backside, for annoying me.”

“Calm down.” Ryan held up his hands wearily. “It’s late, and tempers are fraying, but we’re all in this together. Fighting won’t help get Callum and Grunt out of jail, will it?”

Isobel deflated like a kid’s balloon. “Sorry,” she muttered.