15. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter fifteen
Peter
Typically, on my days off, I didn't set an alarm and slept in but today was no typical day.
I was nervous and excited about my first trip to the warehouse and the property attached to this Hummingbird person.
The trick was to act like it was a completely ordinary day and that I was running my usual errands and not helping someone who would die if their secret got out.
No pressure.
As I finished getting ready, my phone dinged. There was a message waiting from Ryan… in the secret app.
Tech:
Tech:
Shield:
Tech:
Shield:
I attached my holster to my belt and pulled my hoodie over it before heading upstairs.
Cole walked into the kitchen as I was shrugging on my jacket. “Where are you off to so early?”
“I have a few errands to run. You need anything?”
He shook his head. “Phil and I went the other day.”
“Cool. See you later, then.” I walked out to the garage, hopped in the small SUV, and headed out, taking a bit of an indirect route to the warehouse the storage unit was in. I knew I was only walking the property today, but I wanted to drive the route as if I was picking up supplies.
Rolling up to the building, I was pleased with what I saw.
It was a clean, well-lit facility with plenty of security features I could see, and likely a few I couldn’t.
I drove around toward the back and parked near the side entrance.
After typing in the code and gaining entrance to the building, I walked the brightly lit and very clean halls until I found the storage unit.
I casually glanced around before unlocking the door and walking in.
The metal storage container and fridge along the wall both had number pads on them, and being curious, I coded into them and looked inside. There was nothing in the fridge, but there were a few things in what I assumed was the pantry.
Since I’m heading there anyway, I should see if Hummingbird wants this today.
I took out my phone and opened the app, my finger hovering over their name for a moment before tapping the screen.
How do you introduce yourself to someone you’ve never met and who has no idea who you are?
Shield:
Shield:
Shield:
Hummingbird:
Hummingbird:
Shield:
There was enough of a delay, I was about to assume the ‘no,’ when a message popped in.
Hummingbird:
Hummingbird:
I smiled, knowing I was definitely going to make a special stop.
Shield:
After locking up and heading out with the sandwich making supplies, I stopped at a convenience store and picked up one of every type of Skittles they had. Could I have asked them which was their favorite? Yes. Did I want to surprise them? Yes.
I hadn’t even met this person, but I felt drawn to making their life better in any way I could, especially since they were in hiding. Skittles was a small favor, and I was happy to oblige.
I drove toward the GPS location, making sure to keep an eye out for anyone following me. There has been no one for miles.
Good.
As I closed in on the location, I barely saw the dirt path on the left side of the road.
I would have missed it if I hadn't been actively searching for it.
Carefully, I turned onto the path and drove for about thirty feet before I stopped to put my phone in airplane mode.
Letting out a tense breath, I followed the barely passable trail until it opened up to a grassy yard.
When I spotted the opening of an old mine shaft, I smiled.
That was where I needed to park and hide the SUV.
I didn't loosen my grip on the steering wheel until after I pulled into the mine entrance as far as I dared, put the SUV in park, and then cut the engine.
I made it.
I looked around, spotting the cache, but before getting out, I grabbed paper from the glove compartment box and wrote a quick note to go with the skittles. Once I folded the paper, I walked over, unlocked the cache, and dropped off the food.
Pulling out my phone, I remembered Ryan’s instructions and turned on the Wi-Fi on my phone as I opened the app. Just as he said, I connected to a network. I had no idea how he made it work, but I didn’t have to.
Shield:
When I closed the app, the Wi-Fi signal disappeared off my phone as well. Snickering, I shook my head. Ryan really was a tech wizard.
The property was absolutely gorgeous. After walking for a minute or two along a rocky wall, I found a cute little one-story log cabin.
When I walked up, the place looked well kept, but uninhabited.
I confirmed this when I tried the only door and glanced in the windows, but there was no sign of a resident.
Interesting.
I had been in this business long enough to know there was far more here than met the eye.
After walking around for another fifteen or twenty minutes, noting a few cameras and sensors, I made my way back to the truck and slowly and cautiously made my way back to Lukas and Quinn’s house.