Ultimate Courage (True Heroes #2)(80)

Elisa swallowed hard but refused to wilt under the captain’s regard. She hadn’t done anything wrong.

“When we were together, he preferred I accompany him on all business trips. When he toured his manufacturing sites, I was there. I thought it was a compliment, his way of showing his affection, that he set access on my thumb print and retinal scan. I thought it was a demonstration of his trust in me.” She hesitated. “I assumed he’d reset all of those systems when I left.”

Captain Jones shook his head. “The suspect in question had extreme confidence he could get you back. What he has in custody could be evidence to resolve several ongoing cases under my purview.”

She shook her head. “I never saw anything unusual.”

“You may not have known what you were looking at,” Captain Jones pointed out, not unkindly. “We have reason to believe the suspect has an air-gapped laptop stored in his facilities containing sensitive weapons designs and integration code intended for sale to various foreign interests. What weapons and who they were intended to be sold to are best not shared in current company.”

David nodded to Alex. “Phase 2, behind the scenes.”

Captain Jones scowled at David.

“So you need me to go with you?” She hadn’t even given Alex his answer yet and she might have to leave. “For how long?”

“Actually, no.” Captain Jones looked at Alex, Brandon, and David in turn. “We can digitally assimilate your biometric information and create replicas. I have the equipment to copy both your fingerprints and your retina imprint. That is information that should not leave this room. What we’d need to do while the investigation is underway is assure your location at all times, to verify you are not being used by someone else to access the same systems. We need to know where you are and what you are doing, who you might be communicating or interacting with, and any possible ways you might become compromised.”

Alex stirred next to her. “And how are you going to do that?”

Captain Jones cleared his throat, obviously ruffled about someone other than the person he was speaking to directly asking questions. “Normally you would be taken into protective custody. You’d be moved to a secure location and kept under watch.”

No! Elisa leaned forward and clutched the blankets covering her. She’d only just gotten free. She didn’t want to be kept hidden away, separated from friends she’d just made. The idea of having to leave Serena and Souze, of leaving Alex, ripped a hole in her chest.

But Captain Jones wasn’t finished. “However, it has been pointed out to me that you are already employed by an organization with unique specialization in multiple applications, including security work. While it is unorthodox to leave a key asset with non-active duty personnel, each of the men currently at Hope’s Crossing Kennels has an exemplary service record. There may not be a safer arrangement than the one you are currently in, without significantly limiting your freedom or quality of life. If you agree to stay at Hope’s Crossing Kennels with certain additional safety precautions, we may not need to take you into protective custody.”

The older man glanced at Lyn and his face colored a fraction.

Elisa considered. “This is a lot of information you’re sharing, if you don’t mind my saying so. I can’t imagine civilians usually get to hear this.”

It didn’t surprise her to hear Joseph had been involved in illegal dealings. Not at all. He’d been a driven man and ethics were for less powerful people. She was glad to be away from him. But there were more connections in the room than she was understanding, and for once in her life, she wanted the full deal.

“I’m making exceptions,” Captain Jones said.

“That seems to be going around,” Elisa responded.

The older man pressed his lips together. “Every time I deal with any of you people, you have a knack for disrupting well-laid plans.”

Every time?

Elisa caught Lyn’s eye and her new friend mouthed a single word, Later.

That was going to be a story to follow up on and get all the details.

“But you also flush out evidence I might not otherwise have been able to acquire,” Captain Jones continued. “So I am making exceptions. I hope the idea of cooperating with me and my people is somewhat more palatable as a result.”

Lyn made an odd noise.

Captain Jones glanced at Lyn, and his expression softened. “And you are involved with people I trust.”

Lyn’s eyes widened, then started to glisten suspiciously. “There’s a lot of family in the room.”

Well, Elisa hadn’t been sure. Jones was a fairly common surname but, maybe there was a lot she had to learn about her friends. In a good way.

Captain Jones cleared his throat. “In any case, I became aware of the inquiries your people were making into Joseph Corbin Junior and decided to trade information for aid. You cooperate as much as you are able and I will see to it that you have the option to stay at Hope’s Crossing Kennels. I have every confidence you’ll be in safe hands while we conduct our investigation.”

David caught her eye. “This kind of thing doesn’t have a clear time limit. Consider that. You’d be staying with us until who knows when.”

“You don’t have to choose this.” Anger made Alex’s voice rough. “We can find alternatives if you want.”