Chapter 14 #2
Lights inside and out flickered on, and Cam watched through the panes as Aidan trudged up the stairs from the ground floor primary.
He opened the door, hand raking through his tousled red hair, dressed in a college tee that was two sizes too big and flannel pajamas that were six inches too long—both Jamie’s obviously.
Cam would have laughed at any other time.
Instead, and before Aidan opened his mouth to no doubt complain about the late hour, Cam held up the legal pad on which he’d scribbled WE’VE BEEN BUGGED.
As soon as Vaughn had left the brewery, he and Nic had sprung into action, Nic contacting Dennis, him contacting Mel, trying to determine how Vaughn had found out about Nicolette.
Mel had confirmed no one saw them come or go, and Dennis had had them listed under fake names in his calendar.
Nic believed him, which left only one explanation.
A listening device, on their person most likely, possibly their phones, because Vaughn had known bits and pieces of information from multiple locations.
Good thing they knew someone who kept a bug sweeper on hand at all times.
Cam flipped over the top sheet, writing out the second objective with the marker he pulled from his pocket. WE NEED JAMIE AND THE BUG SWEEPER.
Nodding, Aidan opened the door wider for them to enter. They were gathered in the foyer of the split-level home, trying not to trip over Jamie’s scattered detritus, when the man himself called from the bottom of the stairs, “What’s going on?”
Aidan spun, finger to his lips, shushing him. Jamie was up the stairs the next instant, long legs eating them up three at a time, but it was too late. To anyone listening, they’d know where he and Nic were. They had to cover.
“This one decided he needed a late-night doughnut run,” Nic said, likewise catching on. “And the place near us wasn’t good enough. Only the all-night place down the street from you guys would do, so I decided to share the misery.”
While Nic talked, Cam flipped pages and brought Jamie up to speed. His best friend’s face morphed from concerned to doubly concerned to mission-critical in quick succession.
“Misery loves company,” Jamie said. “But I’m not eating doughnuts without coffee, especially at this hour.
I’ll put it on.” He led them up to the main level, but it was Aidan who went into the kitchen, grinding beans and waking up the coffeemaker, disguising the sounds of Jamie rooting around in the desk in the adjacent office area.
“You didn’t tell me how Seattle was,” Cam said, making conversation to further cover their activities. “I mean, I know you won the game, but otherwise.” He dropped the legal pad and marker on the end of the kitchen island for anyone to write on.
“Sunny and beautiful, as usual. I don’t understand what all the griping is about.”
“Because that’s not normal,” Aidan said while he scribbled VAUGHN? on the legal pad. “Yet somehow every time you go there, the weather’s perfect.”
Nic nodded and took his turn with the pen and paper. HE KNOWS ABOUT LETTE.
Brown eyes widening, Aidan’s pale, freckled face blanched even whiter. They’d filled him in this afternoon about the Sares, and if there was anyone who prioritized protecting family, it was Aidan. MEL?
EVASIVE MANEUVERS.
Cam had been mid-call with Mel when he’d realized what was going on. He’d told her to treat the family to In-N-Out, their secret code for evac and benign enough for anyone listening to think they were taking the tourists out for a late-night California snack.
“I must bring the sun with me.” Jamie returned to their circle by the island, a small screwdriver in one hand, the bug sweeper in the other. He mouthed the word Phones and each of them tossed their devices on the white quartz countertop.
Cam affected a laugh. “Despite what a certain Irishman says, the world does not revolve around you, brother.”
“Yes, but apparently I can blow sunshine out of my ass.” He passed the sweeper over each device—only green lights.
“Earmuffs,” Cam objected, both real and for effect, while Jamie made frighteningly fast work of opening and inspecting each phone.
Green.
“Any good recruits?” Nic asked as Jamie swept him up and down. Green.
“Yes, actually. I think I’ve swung us a point guard who was going to commit to Gonzaga.”
He stepped over to Cam next, and Cam clapped his shoulder. “Now that’s what best friends are for.” The first pass over his front was clear.
“Figured you’d be—” The device vibrated at his collar.
Nic’s eyes widened, the red lights from the sweeper reflected therein.
Aidan’s grew just as wide, but he was also making a keep-talking gesture. “Figured you’d what?” Cam asked.
Jamie flipped up the collar of his suit coat. “Figured you’d be happy.” And from under it, extracted a tiny listening device. None of them were making happy faces.
“One less chance for them to be a spoiler.” Jamie held the bug pinched between his thumb and forefinger while Aidan retrieved a mason jar and lid out of a cabinet.
“Fuck, I hope so,” Cam said, also hoping that was the last thing anyone heard.
Jamie dropped the bug into the jar, then Aidan screwed on the lid and shoved it into the freezer.
“How the fuck did that get there?” Aidan whipped back around. “And when?”
“Good thing you hate wearing your jacket,” Nic said.
“See, my suit aversion pays off.” A small silver lining, but Cam was grasping at straws.
“So when were you wearing that jacket?”
Cam leaned back against the island, mentally retracing his steps. “It was in the bag from the dry cleaner this morning, I put it on for the drive in, took it off in my office before going to the conference room, put it back on when I—”
“When you what?” Nic prompted.
“I was coming down to see you when Agent Cole stopped me outside the elevator. Clapped me on the shoulder like this.” He brought a hand down on the top of Nic’s shoulder, just like Cole had done him, and sure enough, his fingertips skirted Nic’s collar.
“It could have been inserted at the dry cleaners,” Jamie said.
To which all three of them replied, “It was Cole.”
“He’s our lead suspect for Vaughn’s mole in the Bureau,” Cam explained.
“How much does he know?” Aidan asked.
“I went down to Nic’s office.” He rotated on his hip toward Nic. “I had the coat on when we talked with Garrett.”
“You weren’t wearing it when I came back up from walking him out,” Nic said.
“That’s right. I ditched it in my office before we went into the conference room and discussed the actual details of the case.”
“And on your way home? Or to here?” Aidan asked. “You came in here wearing it.”
“We spoke generally about the case on the way to Gravity,” Nic said. “But nothing specific.”
“And we’ve been playing chalkboard”—Cam nudged the legal pad—“ever since we realized we were bugged.”
“Good.” Aidan rested against the opposite counter next to Jamie, who threw an arm over his shoulders. “It’s as contained as it can be.”
“Except for the fact Vaughn knows about my sister now.”
A surge of guilt slammed into Cam. Vaughn knew about Nic’s sister because he’d been wearing a bug. He hadn’t thought to check after Cole stopped him. Honestly, and obviously, he hadn’t given the double agent enough credit. “Nic, I’m so—”
“Not your fault, Boston. Aidan’s right, it could have been worse. And we’ve got Vaughn on tape now, making threats, if veiled. We need to get hold of that audio.”
“Do we need to get extra protection on your family?” Jamie asked.
“I don’t think so,” Nic said, eyes still on Cam, seeking confirmation, which he gave with a nod. “Mel and Eddie are both with them now. Garrett’s MARSOC.” Jamie’s eyes went round as saucers. “And Lette’s a black belt.” Aidan’s widened to match.
“Badass runs in the family,” Cam summarized.
“We should still move them into a safe house,” Aidan said.
“No, not if Cole—” Nic started.
“Mobile Command,” Cam said, referring to Aidan’s brother’s former bachelor-pad yacht that Mel had converted into her own private command center. “It’s secure, mobile, and stocked.”
“It’s the best option we’ve got,” Aidan said.
“Do it,” Nic agreed, and Aidan and Jamie went into motion, Jamie reassembling phones so Aidan could set up transports. Nic, however, didn’t look all that reassured.
Cam scooted closer, laying a hand over his where it’d curled around the counter lip. “We’ve got this. We’ll protect your family. You work your legal magic and get Vaughn locked up for good.”