Chapter 37

Fear twisted Dix's gut,and he had to vent before he exploded.

"What the fuck is this?" he bellowed. "This isn't how we do things in this fucking country."

"Apparently it is now." Grady's voice quaked.

"Private citizens aren't part of a taskforce like this, and no one mentions a suspect on the television in that way," Dix raged. "This wasn't some BOLO report. Spencer put a fucking price on his head."

Kathy cleared her throat. "For whatever reason, Dr. Malone is on Spencer's list. I think the original plan was to have him killed and then present the evidence Spencer had made up to prove his complicity in the attacks."

What the fuck?

Dixon stared at her. "You knew this whole time that Dr. Malone was being targeted, and you let it happen? And then you fucking waltz in here and tell us to protect you? Bitch, get the fuck out of here. I hope Spencer puts a bullet in your goddamn brain."

"Dixon, calm down." Doc's gentle voice came from the speaker. "We can hate her all we want, but we need her right now. Who knows? Maybe later we'll get lucky and someone will kill her for us, but for now? We need to protect her." He chuckled. "Okay, I'm mostly kidding about someone killing her, but you know what I mean."

Michael cleared his throat. "We'll have our tech guys check the laptop. If this stuff is as good as you say, we'll talk some more. Until then, Ms. Robertson, consider yourself CrossBow's guest. We'll make you comfortable."

"Don't make her too comfortable," Doc interjected.

Michael bit back a smile, then met Dix's gaze. "Go deal with this latest development. I'll take over from here." He gave a cool smile. "And if anyone comes knocking on our front door in the hopes of taking Josh into custody, well, they're going to be disappointed, aren't they?"

Dix forced himself to think clearly. Michael was right about one thing—he needed to get the fuck out of that room. He didn't even want to breathe the same fucking air as Kathy Robertson, let alone see her. He turned to find Chalmers and Grady still focused on the TV, the sound muted. He inclined his head toward the door. "Let's take this outside."

Once they were in the hallway, he called Doc's number. "Still with us?"

"I know I predicted this, but oh my God, this is insane. Did you see? The people on the screen didn't even question the validity of the report. They simply accepted that I had something to do with this whole… clusterfuck." Before Dix could respond, Doc blurted, "We're coming back."

"Like hell you are." The words came out as a snarl. "Your instincts are what took you and Gary out of here. Trust them. You two stay right where you are. Michael and I are the only ones who know your location, and I think it's best to keep it that way. Because no way are you going in for questioning. That's a target on you, no matter what you do. If he kills you, then there's no denying the reports and stopping him becomes infinitely more difficult. Even if we deny them, we still need evidence. And where you are? You can get a lot more done there than you could behind bars."

There was a pause before Doc spoke, and Dix figured Gary was doing his best to make him see sense.

"Fine, you're right," Doc said in a resigned tone. He softened his voice. "Coby misses her daddy. Well, her other daddy."

Dix was missing her too, but it hadn't made sense for her to stay at CrossBow. He had no idea where he'd be the next few days, and there was no way he'd leave her alone.

"You give her a cuddle from me, okay? Take care of her. And when you get back here, I'm going to take care of both of you," Dix promised. "But Doc? I need you to hack like you've never hacked before."

"We need this to be over with. Especially since I have to be back at the hospital next week so they can remove this tube."

"I want this over as much as you do, but until we find evidence to prove Spencer's in this up to his fucking neck, the safe house is the best place for you. At least you've got Gary for company."

Doc chuckled. "Sure, but there's stuff I want to do with you that I don't want to do with him."

Gary yelled in the background. "Two things. One: Gee, thanks. Feeling the love. And two: Way too much information."

"And you can't do any of that stuff till you get the all clear, so you're not missing out on anything," Dix reminded Doc. "Now go be my genius." He disconnected, only to have the phone ring instantly. "Grayson, what's up?"

"I'm swamped down here. I'm fielding calls from outraged citizens demanding to know what's going on. Plus they want to know if Dr. Malone is here."

"Just thank them for their call, tell them no comment, and hang up." Dix shook his head.

Fuck you all the way to hell, Aaron Spencer.

Chalmers's phone buzzed, and he removed it from his pocket. He stared at the screen, his face scrunched in confusion. "What the hell?"

"What's wrong?"

"I just got an encrypted message on WhatsApp."

Dix arched an eyebrow. "What's so surprising about that? I figure with your winning personality, you'd be getting them all day, every day."

Chalmers narrowed his gaze. "I'm telling Josh you're being mean to me."

The bastard would too.

"So what's strange about this message?"

Chalmers looked Dix in the eye. "It says it's a message for Dr. Malone, and the sender claims to be my boss."

Dix froze. "What kind of message?"

"It says it will provide a link for him to follow."

He snorted. "Yeah right. I've had those kind of emails too. You know the ones. ‘Click here to reactivate your account.'"

"But I think it is from him," Chalmers insisted.

"How can you be sure?"

Chalmers handed his phone to Dix. "Read the third line."

Dix peered at the screen and read aloud. "And just so you know it's me, you still owe me for keeping you out of trouble after that party where you grabbed the waiter's ass." He raised a brow. "Oh?" Dix handed the phone back.

Chalmers flushed. "I was drinking. Grady and I had broken up, and when I saw this guy bent over, I thought it was his ass. I cupped it and whispered, ‘Hey, hot stuff.' He was less than amused."

That was something Dixon could understand. Right then he'd give anything to touch Doc. As much as he wanted to continue this discussion, there were more important things they had to address.

"Does he say what happened to him?"

Chalmers typed, and Dix peered over his shoulder to read the new reply.

I'm enjoying Aaron Spencer's hospitality.

"What the fuck?" Chalmers typed fast.

Yeah. They initially took me to help them get at Dr. Malone. Then when that wasn't happening, they wanted me to give them information on the bureau. That was also a no-go, though not for lack of trying on their part. Then he threatened my family. That got me to do what he said real quick.

"Ask him if he knows where he is."

Chalmers typed again, and Dix read the reply.

Well, unless someone was sitting with me as we scoured the web, I had no access to the Internet, so that's a no. But things are buzzing around here. Not sure what's going on, but Spencer looks nervous, twitchy. Dr. Malone's name drives him nuts. I'm using a backdoor I installed into one of his computers, but I can't guarantee they won't find it. My only hope is that this stuff that's going on keeps his attention a little longer.

Dix shook his head. This whole mess is the gift that keeps on giving.

Chalmers scrolled. "He wants his wife and kids protected. If CrossBow agrees and brings them here, then he'll give Dr. Malone the link." He scrolled, then read aloud. "Spencer is freaking out. I don't know what's going on, but his attention is split, so now is the time to act."

"Ask him if he's safe."

Chalmers typed, then waited. He sighed. "He says ‘LOL, no. Pretty sure Spencer's going to get what he wants and then I'll disappear too. It doesn't matter, as long as CrossBow protect my wife and kids.'" He paused. "He says the link will give Dr. Malone access to files that will help nail Spencer. He adds Dr. Malone must dig into them."

Dix didn't hesitate. "Give me the address and I'll have a team round there to collect his family within the hour. Tell him he has my word they'll be safe."

"Don't you need to call Michael and run this by him first?"

He shook his head. "I can handle this. It's not as though I haven't sent agents on missions before now. Michael can find out about it when it's done. Besides, I'm going to avoid using the phones. There's always the possibility they'd try monitoring them." He smiled. "Doc would kick my ass if he heard me say that. He built the phones with an encryption system he designed. He would never say it was impossible to crack—no system is that good—but they'd give themselves a migraine trying."

"Can I interrupt you for a second?" Grady scraped his fingers through his hair. "Dr. Malone needs to find something, and fast. I'll be doing my damnedest to push this, but without rock-solid evidence—without even one eyewitness…." He scowled. "Thanks to his cadre of lawyers, Spencer will likely walk."

"We have Kathy."

"Sorry, let me rephrase that. One credible witness. Until we find out what's on that laptop, I can't—won't—trust her. She's out for herself, so I expect her to be very economical with the truth."

Dix hoped there was something worthwhile on that laptop.

Right then they needed a miracle.

Dix waited in the lobby,Michael at his side. Brant Parnell was in the first car, along with Jasmine Toulette, with Carl Winters and Lance Darr following.

So far, so good.The mission to collect the Carson family had gone without a hitch, although Jasmine had messaged to say Mrs. Carson was a mess. Not a surprise. Her husband's been missing how long? Carson had given them a phrase to repeat to his wife to ensure she would know that they were the good guys and that she could trust them.

"So who did you send to pick up the Carsons?" Michael asked.

"Jasmine Toulette's in charge."

Michael blinked. "What made you choose her? Not that I'm disagreeing—she's a damn good agent—but not the first person I'd consider."

Dix shrugged. "We needed someone with a soft, delicate female touch so the kids wouldn't worry."

"And you thought Jazz fitted the bill? Our Jazz? The woman who dropped you six times during the last sparring matches?" Michael grinned. "Of course, I can see how you might think she was soft and delicate."

"Fine, there might have been just the tiniest bit of payback in there too. But you have to admit, she's a great choice. Get between her and her client, and you're the one who won't be walking away."

Michael chuckled. "I won't argue that. I think she's the perfect choice. I pity anyone who gets in her way. Is everything ready for them?"

Dix nodded. He'd made sure their apartment had everything they could possibly need, including new toys for the kids, a girl of ten and a boy of twelve. He didn't want to cause their mother a second of worry.

She has enough on her plate. And judging by what Jasmine had relayed, a mountain of questions.

Which we can't answer, unfortunately.

She certainly didn't need to know she'd probably never see her husband again, or how he'd risked his life to save theirs.

The cars pulled up outside the main door, and Carl and Lance were there in a heartbeat, scanning their surroundings. They stood by as Jasmine helped Mrs. Carson out of the car. The kids seemed in better spirits, laughing as they raced toward the door.

They don't have a clue, thank God.

Michael greeted her, his hand outstretched. "Mrs. Carson, welcome to CrossBow Protection. I'm Michael Kennedy, one of the directors."

She shook his hand. "Where is my husband? Is he here?"

Dix didn't want to be in Michael's shoes right then.

"No, ma'am, I'm sorry. You're here because he wanted to ensure your safety."

She swallowed. "He's still alive, though? I mean, he has to be, if he gave you that message for me."

"Yes, he is."

Dix's stomach roiled as he thought about the words Michael couldn't say.

He's alive—for now.

Chalmers stepped off the elevator, and Mrs. Carson stared at him. "Don't I know you?"

"Yes, Mrs. Carson." He walked toward them. "We met last summer at your place."

She gave a weak smile. "You work with David. You came to our cookout." She paused. "Has he been in touch with you?"

He nodded. "We haven't spoken, but he messaged me to make sure you and the kids were taken care of." He gestured to the elevator. "I'll take you to your apartment."

Dix could see the moment it all became too much of a strain for her. Mrs. Carson crumpled, and he put his arm around her, supporting her. "Come on," he said in a low voice, leading her toward the elevator. He glanced at Chalmers. "Can you send a message?"

David Carson needed to know his family was safe.

Chalmers nodded. "I'll be up there in a while."

Mrs. Carson called to the children, and they headed to their new home.

Dix hoped to God they wouldn't be at CrossBow for too long, but with no clue when—or even if—Carson would be out of Spencer's clutches, the future looked uncertain, not to mention bleak.

Come on, Doc. We need you.

Josh hurt,but he was putting off taking painkillers. He knew Dixon would give him hell for that, but he didn't want to become too dependent on them.

The safe house was okay, but he missed Dixon. Thank God he had Coby. Gary was decent-enough company, but Josh longed for his own bed.

For Dixon curled around him, close enough that Josh could feel his heart beating.

"Any news yet?" Gary asked as he poured coffee for them.

Josh glanced at his phone. "Not yet." Dix had called to say the Carsons were safely ensconced at CrossBow, so it was only a matter of time before Chalmers got hold of the link his boss had promised.

I hope it's worth it.

Actually, he hoped it would be the dynamite they needed.

Dixon had promised to send the link as soon as possible, but waiting was hell.

He glanced at Gary. "I don't have a clue what I'm being given access to, but just in case it's a lot of information to sift through…. Ready to do some work?"

Gary's face lit up, his eyes shining. "Yes! You have no idea how ready I am. I love Michael to death, but he won't let me do much of anything these days. I want to feel useful again."

Josh's phone pinged, and he smiled.

About time.

"Then as Pink said, let's get this party started."