Shift:A Virals Adventure(3)

I didn’t know. Didn’t like to dwell on it. We couldn’t control it anyway.

Coop lived with Tory, but spent most of his days roaming Morris, terrorizing the local rodents. I’m just glad the mutt’s on our side.

I rose, jabbed a thumb over my shoulder. “Who’s the chick with Kit?”

“My aunt Tempe. She’s visiting for the weekend.”

“Oh my.” I spun for a better look.

I’d heard all about Dr. Temperance Brennan, World-Famous Forensic Anthropologist.

She’s Tory’s idol. The girl never stops talking about her.

Dr. Brennan seemed in good shape for an older lady. Late forties. Dark blond hair, hazel eyes. She wore jeans and a Northwestern tee as she huddled with Kit and Dad.

“Here comes Hi.” Tory was looking over my shoulder. “Finally.”

I could feel her impatience. Tory with an idea surges forward like a tidal wave.

And I get dragged by the undertow.

Hiram closed his front door, yawned, and lumbered down the steps. He isn’t the rushing type. Rosy-cheeked, portly, with a quick wit and razor-sharp tongue, Hi’s the most sarcastic kid I know. It can be hard getting him to take something seriously.

Hi scratched his wavy brown hair, then stretched. “A little early for booty calls, Tory.” He wore yellow pajama pants paired with a brown FOMO T-shirt.

“Funny.”

Tory crossed her arms. Glanced at her watch. She practically oozed impatience.

Hi reached down and patted Coop’s back. “Hey, killer. Eat any squirrels today?”

Finally, Ben Blue strolled up in his usual black tee and shorts.

At sixteen, Ben was the oldest member of our pack. He’s five foot ten and rock solid, with dark eyes and shoulder-length black hair, a by-product of Native American roots. Ben sported a deep tan, earned by countless hours spent aboard Sewee, his prized Boston Whaler runabout.

Ben lived in the end unit with his father, Tom Blue, who operated LIRI’s shuttle service between Morris, Loggerhead, and downtown Charleston. Ben’s mother, Myra, lived in a Mount Pleasant condo just across the bay.

Ben cocked his head toward the adults. “That about the break-in?”

Tory nodded. “Kit’s pretty worked up. Last night, somebody stole a bunch of equipment from Lab Three. Kit needs to figure out exactly what’s missing.”

As Tory spoke, my dad turned and headed back toward our unit. Kit and Tempe walked over to join us.

Tory ordered Coop to sit. Stay. She really was training him, with mixed results. That wolfdog could be as obstinate as his owner.

“Nothing to worry about,” Kit said brightly, though his expression suggested otherwise. “Just some funny business out at LIRI. Nelson is going to check our inventory and we’ll get it sorted.”

“What was taken?” Tory’s scowl mirrored Ben’s.

“More like what wasn’t.” Kit shook his head. “Lab Three was ransacked. Laptops, three blade servers, the moisture/solid analyzer, a centrifuge, the nanoparticle tracking system, a pair of microscopes, some other items.” He nearly sighed. “Pricey things, all of them. Whoever broke in knew what he was doing.”

“Or she,” Tempe corrected. “Or they.”

“What about the security tapes?” Tory was laser-focused. “Or the live video feed? Where was security?”

“Electronic surveillance was down last night.” Kit waved a hand in frustration. “Maintenance. At midnight, the whole system went offline for program upgrades. Like I said, this—” a glance at Tempe, “—person or persons knew the score. They broke into Lab Three, cleaned house, and then slipped out with the equipment undetected. What I’ve got to figure out is how.”

“The service elevator,” Tory said without hesitation. “With the cameras off, the guards would be blind to its movement. And what about the dock? They must’ve gotten the stuff out by boat.”

Kit half smiled. “My thoughts as well. But don’t you worry about this, kiddo. Hudson has his security crew investigating, and we’ll file a police report. Plus, LIRI has insurance for this very reason.”

“I know a few detectives at CPD,” Tempe said. “They’re good. And CSU will turn that lab upside down and inside out. If there’s a speck of evidence, they’ll find it. Take that to the bank.”

Tempe’s effect on Tory was comic.

She straightened like a soldier under inspection. “Of course, Aunt Tempe.”

But I knew that look. Recognized wheels turning behind Tory’s eyes.

Butterflies took wing in my stomach. It didn’t take a mind reader to see that Tory wanted to impress her aunt.

“I’m heading out there to assess the damage.” Kit cast a hopeful look at Tempe. “I wouldn’t mind if you came along. A forensics expert might come in handy this morning.”

“At your service.”

With that, the pair excused themselves and headed inside.

Tory watched them go.

She got that stubborn set to her jaw, as if a challenge had been made.

The butterflies became hummingbirds.

She’ll jump in. And drag us all along, like always.

Hi sensed it, too. “Should I go change clothes?” The fool sounded eager.

“Meet by the dock in five.” Tory was already moving. “We need to get to Loggerhead first.”