Chapter 19

nineteen

DYLAN

For the last couple of days, I’d kept myself busy. When I needed a break from studying Alex’s program, I checked the house, making sure it was secure. I was acutely aware of how vulnerable Alex was, and I was doing everything I could to make sure nothing happened to him.

Alex’s high-tech security system was impressive. As well as external cameras, infrared beams protected the doorways and windows. An app linked the security system to his satellite phones, letting him know instantly if someone was on the property.

After hunting through the house and the garage, I found two backpacks. They were now half-decent getaway bags, filled with emergency rations and safety equipment.

Then there were the maps. If something happened to the satellite phones, Alex would have to navigate the old-fashioned way. I printed off maps from the Internet and sealed them in watertight bags. The sheer size of the property made it impossible to prepare for everything, but I was doing my best to minimize any issues he could face.

I looked at the list of security improvements I’d given Alex. Most of my suggestions were easy to implement. Adding extra locks and moving furniture would be quick and inexpensive to change. Other items were more expensive but would eliminate some major issues.

Alex walked into the hallway. “Eric’s nearly here with the four-wheeler. Do you want to meet him?”

“Sure. How was the last test?”

“The computer’s still crunching the results, but it looks promising.” He zipped up his jacket and pulled on a navy blue ski cap.

I stood where I was, wondering why Alex was still single. He was good looking, had an incredible house, and a job most people would envy. But most of all, he was kind, had a great sense of humor, and liked listening to jazz. What more could someone want?

“Is everything all right?”

“Of course it is.” I plastered a polite smile on my face. I’d never felt this drawn to anyone, and it worried me. Alex was a client, and I couldn’t let myself forget it.

Grabbing my jacket, I opened the front door. “It’s cold out here.” I shivered as the sting of the freezing wind tore through my jeans and sweatshirt. By the time I pulled on my jacket, my fingers were numb. Connecting the zipper was a nightmare.

“Let me help.” Alex stood in front of me, blocking the worst of the wind.

“I’ll be okay.” I blew on my hands, then yanked the zipper up to my chin.

Alex pulled a wooly cap out of his pocket. “You forgot something.” He jammed the hat on my head and smiled. “Now you’re ready.”

A blush worked its way over my face. For a man with such a sad past, Alex was the sweetest person I knew. In all my time here, he’d never once raised his voice or said a bad word about anyone. I wasn’t sure I could have been so forgiving.

A black truck and trailer rolled to a stop beside the garage. As soon as I saw Eric, I knew why he was Alex’s friend. They were about the same age. He was handsome, in a big city kind of way, and he walked with the confidence of a man who knew what he wanted out of life.

When he reached the veranda, he held out his hand. “You must be Dylan. It’s good to finally meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too. Thanks for coming all this way.”

“It’s no problem. I’m used to oddball requests from Alex.”

“Hey,” Alex groaned. “You’re supposed to be my friend.”

Eric smiled. “Friends can still have weird requests. It’s just as well you asked me to stop at the general store. Your parcels took up most of their storeroom.”

I hadn’t expected our online purchases to arrive so quickly. “That was fast.”

“I must be closer to civilization than you think,” Alex said with a grin.

Eric turned toward his truck. “We’d better unload everything before it gets any colder. If you move the boxes, I’ll drive the four-wheeler off the trailer.”

“I’ll open the garage door,” I said, “then help with the parcels.”

In next to no time, the trailer was empty, and the boxes of additional equipment were safely stored away.

I was stacking the buckets of freeze-dried food when Alex walked into the garage.

“Where would you like the trauma kits? ”

“Leave one with me. You can take the other one into the kitchen.”

Alex nodded. “I’ll make coffee for everyone at the same time.”

“That would be great.” After he left, I studied the boxes pushed against the wall. Between the sleeping bag, tent, water, and food, Alex would be able to survive for at least eight weeks. And if he agreed to something else I was working on, he’d be safer for a lot longer.

Eric added another small parcel to our supplies. “Why do I feel like Father Christmas?”

I smiled. “It was probably delivering all the boxes. Thanks for bringing them out here.”

“You’re welcome. Alex said you’re helping with one of his programs.”

I didn’t know how much Eric knew about the EMP project, but I wasn’t saying anything. “That’s right. How long have you known each other?”

“About eight months.” Eric’s smile turned into a frown as he looked around the garage. “Are you going camping?”

I took off my jacket. Eric didn’t realize how close he was to the truth. “I work for a security company. Alex lives so far from anyone that I suggested he invest in some emergency supplies.”

“Including trauma kits?”

I shrugged. “It’s good to be prepared. Alex said you’re a writer. It must be an interesting job.”

Eric’s gaze sharpened. “It is, although it’s a lot different than what most people imagine.”

My cell phone rang. It had been so long since anyone had been able to call me that I jumped.

“I’ll let you get that. ”

“Alex is in the kitchen making coffee,” I said quickly as I read the caller’s name. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Eric smiled. “I’ll see you there.”

Before the phone went to voicemail, I answered the call. My boss hardly ever contacted me when I was on an assignment. Something must be wrong.

“Ryan?”

“Hi, Dylan. How’s the program?”

“It’s still a work in progress. But we’re closer to fixing it than we were two weeks ago. I’m sending you a report tonight.”

“Thanks. I hope you get it working.”

So did I. Some days it felt as though we were taking two steps forward and three steps backward. “Is everything all right with my team?”

“They’re fine. I spoke with them yesterday and they’re happy with how everything’s going. Has Alex changed his mind about moving to a safe house?”

“No. He’s still determined to stay here.”

“He might want to reconsider his decision. I spoke to some friends in Washington, D.C. The Haqani Army are becoming more active.”

My heart sank. “How bad is it?”

“On a scale of one to ten, I’d place the risk of a major incident at an eight. When the terrorist group realize Alex is creating the EMP program, they’ll stop at nothing to find him.”

I took a deep breath. Someone would happily pay millions of dollars for the software. Especially when we were so close to fixing it. “I’ll talk to him again.”

“If he wants to move to a safe house that’s not in Colorado, let me know. In the meantime, we’ve left the keys to option B in the lockbox.” Ryan paused. “There’s something else you need to know. Alex’s boss has alerted the FBI to what’s happening. They have copies of each of the emails Alex was sent. A special agent will contact him.”

“Do you know who it is?”

“Liam Nelson. He’s worked with you a few times.”

An image of the serious FBI special agent appeared in my head. I was sure he’d do a good job, but he wasn’t the most enthusiastic person I’d met.

“I’ll let Alex know.” I looked at our emergency supplies. We needed to make some important decisions. Regardless of where Alex wanted to live, I’d do my best to make sure he didn’t get hurt. But I couldn’t perform miracles—and that’s what Alex would need if he stayed here.