Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 147789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“What’s that stuff?” Aaron followed Kreed into the kitchen.
“Probably the surveillance equipment. Your wires, shit like that. I asked for a computer for you. I don’t know if they approved that request, but you know, the standard stuff. Grab another box. Let’s get it opened. We need to do an inventory.” Kreed placed the box he held on the kitchen table, before going back for another. When all three were there, Kreed pulled out his pocket knife and cut through the tape to open each one.
“How’d you get involved in this side of things? I thought the marshals just arrested people,” Aaron asked, cocking his head to get a better view as Kreed moved packing peanuts around until he found two large metal briefcases in one box. He pulled each one out.
“Generally, that’s all we do. Knox and I are special teams. That usually means we go after the super bad guys, but sometimes we do things like this. Knox got to stay on the case because he’d found all these connections and it had been a senator’s kid who’d gotten hurt. Then with Cody’s deal…” Kreed said distractedly, lifting the locks on the metal case. “They don’t take kindly to having law enforcement shot at, so they’re better to stick with the original team as best they can—better continuity for the case. Can you grab the other box?”
“Sure,” Aaron said, but didn’t move, as he peered over Kreed’s shoulder at the contents of the case. “They aren’t playing, are they?”
This case held a barrage of weapons. Everything from Glock 9mms, M1911 pistols to an M4 carbine with all the scopes, and the guys at the FBI had even thrown in flash-bang stun grenades, Halligan tools, flexi-cuffs, and all sorts of other tactical accessories. He recognized most of these weapons thanks to his hours of playing Call of Duty.
“Nah, they don’t normally mess around. The government’s stance is to make sure we have what it takes to bring us home alive. From where I’m standing, I can’t say that’s a bad thing.”
Kreed closed the lid, buckling the case, before opening the other one.
“I’m surprised we’re here alone then,” Aaron said, watching him work. This briefcase was filled with about the same. Kreed closed that lid, put one on top of the other and moved them to the kitchen counter before scooting the few loose peanuts that fell out of the box back inside.
“We won’t be alone for too long. By next week, they’ll have others involved. It’s why we have to get as much done as we can right now. The more involvement, the more red tape and inactivity we’ll get.” Kreed’s brow lifted, and he nodded toward a medium-size box. “You gonna hand me that box?” Kreed asked.
Aaron cringed. Crap. He’d gotten distracted by the arsenal housed in those cases and forgotten Kreed’s request. “Sorry. My bad.”
~~~
Aaron stood almost on top of Kreed, all in his personal space. The kid’s eyes shining with interest and excitement.
“This one?” Aaron bent forward, scooting the box closer, then lifted it up on the table. His new partner’s surly attitude and the back-off-keep-your-distance stance had diminished. Kreed didn’t let himself get too jazzed that maybe they might be able to coexist peacefully, because honestly, these boxes held every little boy’s dream come true. Kreed turned away, not letting himself get too worked up with Aaron’s close proximity, and smiled, making sure Aaron could see everything he unloaded from the rest of the boxes.
“Do you know how to use all that?” Aaron asked, awe in his voice.
Seeing Aaron’s excitement and knowing he was interested in digging through the spyware, Kreed picked up an empty box and shoved it toward Aaron’s chest. The guy automatically took it. Kreed grabbed the other two. Playtime would have to wait.
“Yup. Put that in the garage. We need to grab our shit and get settled. You gotta read that intel Skinner’s put together for you.”
Aaron carried the empty box to the garage as instructed. They unloaded the car, taking all the luggage and their backpacks inside the house. “Which room’s mine?”
“The master. I’ll take the study. I can keep a better eye on things if I’m in there with the surveillance gear,” Kreed said as Aaron trailed behind him.
“I only saw the one bed. The study didn’t have a bed,” Aaron said, slowing his pace as he got closer to his designated room.
“Is that your subtle way of getting me into your bed?” Kreed teased, giving him a wink as he headed for the bedroom. “If I knew the weapons were such great foreplay…”
“Definitely not that,” Aaron scoffed, the indignation creeping back into his voice. That made Kreed smile bigger. For some reason, it was comforting to have the old Aaron back. Kreed shook his head at that thought. The kid could be so adorable when annoyed.
~~~
Burning the candle at both ends was beginning to take its toll. Aaron let out a long, jaw cracking yawn as he sat in the middle of the bed in his pajama pants and T-shirt, working diligently on his laptop. Exhaustion numbed his mind. It was three-thirty in the morning, and he yawned again as he watched code fill the screen. His eyes drooped, and the moment his head fell forward, he jerked, startling himself back awake. He reached up to slap his face, forcing himself to pay attention and keep his eyes open. He had to see this through. He was almost there, close enough to the point he could shut the laptop lid, let the computer work for itself, and he’d finish the rest in the morning. The church systems were insanely easy to break into, thank God for that. He chuckled at his own little unintended joke.
With a few quick keystrokes, Aaron had placed the virus inside their systems, setting it to initiate on cue from his cellphone. The remote activation process had been harder to coordinate than breaking into the church’s system, and that said a lot for a group filled with so much hate and secrets. Not a wise call on their part.