Authors: Reggi Allder
“No thanks.”
He took a gulp of soda.
“
Brick, I was just thinking When Ted Simmons asked me to take the flash drive, he led me to believe that it had something to do with gambling.” She rubbed her temples. “Then James told us Johnny said I’d taken his system.” She paused. “Beside computer systems, how many different kinds of systems are there?”
“Uh, g
ambling, surveillance, alarm, information and guidance systems.” He paused. “That’s all I can think of.”
“
Gambling systems I understand, but what would Johnny do with any of those other ones? I can't make sense of it.”
He
shrugged. “We’re missing some information, why don’t you tell me everything you know again? This time don’t leave anything out.”
She sucked in air and held her breath as she recalled
Agents Simmons warning about talking only to him. But he was dead. She exhaled and glanced at Brick. “Can I trust you?”
His eyes
narrowed and then darkened.
“I’m sorry
. I shouldn’t have asked that. But Agents Simmons died and I’m so afraid I could say the wrong thing and cause the death of another person.”
T
he heat beat down on her. Perspiration beaded on her forehead. She wiped it way. Brick was on her side. “I’ll tell you everything I know.” A sense of release spiraled through her as she talked. Finally, she said, “That’s all know.”
“
And Amanda said someone in the government is after you?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“If a government official wanted you, all he’d have to do is call you or go see you and present his identification. The government doesn’t send men to threaten you with death and ransack your house.”
“
I took Johnny’s flash drive, so I assumed the intruders were his men. Now, I don’t know what to believe. Damn it. I wish I’d had a chance to ask Agent Simmons questions.” Her throat tightened and she wiped a tear from her cheek. “I can’t believe he’s dead.”
“
You okay?”
“As good as I can be, considering.”
“Amanda said there was a Korean involved and I saw an Asian man in Johnny Vega’s office. What would a Korean national be doing in Vega’s office?”
B
efore she could answer, he said, “It’s a rhetorical question, I don't expect you to know.” He ran his hand though his hair. “I'm just thinking out loud.”
She sat back in
the chair, turned her face toward the sun. “It’s so peaceful here on the Lake with nothing but the sounds of the trees rustling in the breeze. I can’t believe—”
“
Yi Jun Kim, that’s the name. It just popped into my head.”
“What?”
“That’s the name of the man I saw in Vega’s office. Of course, it’s probably not the man's real name or the name he’s using now.” Brick put his empty coke can on the picnic table next to them.
“
Years ago, I was in the Army and stationed in South Korea, when a news story broke.” He frowned. “I guess it didn’t get much media attention in the States. But it was big news in Seoul. A South Korean businessman had been caught selling restricted electronic parts to North Korea. His photo was on the front page of the newspapers and on TV. He disappeared before he could be arrested. Looks like he’s’ just reappeared in Reno, Nevada, of all places, in Johnny Vega's penthouse.”
“None of this makes sense
,” She shifted in the deck chair to face Brick. “What does this man have to do with Johnny and the flash drive I took?”
“Good question. I wish I had an answer.
My question is what the hell is he planning to do now?”
“I wish I knew.” She leaned back and closed her eyes, her face to the sun.
***
Brick
watched Lake Tahoe lapping the shore just a few feet from the Shaw’s back deck.
Damn.
He needed a vacation. This was the perfect place. Too bad this wasn’t time off.
His
phone rang. He recognized the number. A woman who worked at the phone company was returning his call.
“Hey Liza, how’s it going?
”
“
Don't take a two year old on a camping trip.” She laughed.
“
Got anything for me?”
“
The number you wanted me to check is a cell phone, part of a group of phones belonging to In-Tech, located in Redwood City. The report goes to the national headquarters of the company, but the end user gets a copy of the bill and I have his name, address, and credit card number if you want it.”
“
Just the name and number will do.” He pulled a pen and a scrap of paper from his pocket and wrote down the information. He’d put it in the smart phone later.
“
Thanks Liza, you never let me down. Give your husband a kick in the pants for me and tell him he owes me a round of golf.”
She laughed again. “
Don’t be a stranger. Come to dinner when you get back.”
“Will do.”
He picked up the can of coke and started to drink, then remembered it was empty. He crushed it and threw it into the trash can next to the chair.
“
Kelly, I have one more phone call to make.”
He
called the FBI office and asked for Maryann. She could check on a George Nicholas Nickels, the name of the man Liza had just given him.
H
e'd never heard of the company In-Tech. What did they do? It was obviously something high tech, hardware or software? His father would know. An early software developer in the Silicon Valley, his dad knew most of the companies and their CEO's, if not in person at least by reputation.
He hadn't spoken to his
dad for months. They butted heads more often than not. Most interaction with his father ended in an argument. He cared about his dad, but all too often it was easier not to see him. Still, he couldn’t think of anyone else who could quickly give him the information he needed.
He
punched in his father's private number. A sense of remorse for calling only now when he needed information hit him.
“
Hello,” a deep voice said.
“
Dad, its Brick.”
The line was silent for a second.
“Hello Brick”, Dad said gruffly.
“
I have some FBI business to clear up and thought you might be able to help.”
“
If I can,” Dad said, disappointment sounding in his voice.
“
What do you know about a company called In-Tech?”
“
That's a name I don't hear very often.”
“
Really?”
“
In-Tech keeps a low profile. Other companies are building a brand to increase their name recognition and have their names on glass and steel monuments across Silicon Valley. In-Tech’s buildings are nondescript structures in various parts of the valley, Mountain View, Redwood City, even as far south as Campbell.”
“
Do you know what they do?”
“
It’s all pretty hush-hush. Most of their work is for the Pentagon. The CEO is ex military. Rumor has it that In-Tech is working on a new long range missile guidance system, with a computer chip so accurate, it could send a missile into your morning cup of coffee without making a splash.”
Brick tightened his grip on the phone.
“Unless the man was bragging to me,” Dad continued. “If missiles were placed strategically throughout the country, a U.S. missile could land almost anywhere in the world.”
Brick’s back muscles knotted. In the wrong hands the system could be placed to send a missile anywhere in the United States.
“Brick, did you hear me?”
“
Yeah. Good Intel Dad. Thanks.”
“
Don't be a stranger. Your
mother
would like to see you.”
“
I won't.”
“
And Brick?”
“
Yeah.”
Dad cleared his throat.
“Never mind.”
“My love to Mom.
” Brick broke the connection.
Damn it.
He should have said my love to
you
and Mom.
When this case was over, he’d try
to mend his relationship with his father. He forced stale air from his lungs and took a deep breath.
Could the system Kelly took be plans for a top secret long-range missile guidance system? The thought of her being involved in a theft of that magnitude was beyond his imagination. But he was now being forced to
envision the unimaginable.
He glanced at her
, in the deck chair next to him. Her eyes were closed and her expression was peaceful. He was reluctant to wake her. He grunted. “Kelly, wake up.”
H
e related the new information and watched the blood drain from her face. Good thing she was sitting down. He doubted she’d be able to stand.
“
Johnny couldn’t have anything to do with a theft in a high tech company. He’s a gambler and a thug. He doesn’t know anything about high-tech.” He doesn’t even use a computer. I was a fool to have anything to do with him, but espionage? I don’t believe it.” She sat straight up in her chair. “The idea is crazy.”
“
I find it hard to believe too, but those are the facts.” He held Kelly’s gaze. “Something has happened and Johnny’s in the middle of it.”
“I don’t
—I” She paused.
They sat
in silence.
H
e digested the new information. “In-Tech must have several layers of security. Only an insider could arrange a theft like that. Someone with top secret clearance,” he said.
“
If there'd been a theft wouldn't we have heard about it? It’d be on the TV news and make newspaper headlines all over the world.”
“
Not if company officials don’t know there's been a theft or if the US government doesn't want anyone to know it.”
“
How could that be possible?” She stared at him.
“
The system would be in encrypted files and only a person with a password could access those. But what if one of the insiders, say one of the designers of the system, was willing to sell the plans? He could make a copy on a flash drive. No one would be the wiser.”
Brick thought for a moment.
“Or if the owner of the company is greedy and wants to make money from other governments, not just from the U.S. he could—” He stopped, not wanting to believe that was a possibility.
“
You think Johnny Vega somehow got a copy of the military plans from In-Tech and that’s what’s on the flash drive I took?”
“
Could be.”
“
I don't believe it.” She shook her head. “Okay, I broke the rules by getting involved with Johnny. But this is more than I bargained for.” She hesitated. “I remember Agent Simmons said something about US security.” Her voice trailed off into silence and she put her head in hands.
Finally
, she looked up. A distraught expression spread across her face. “When I took the drive I was trying to do a good thing and make up for my mistake in getting involved with Johnny in the first place. Now Ted’s dead and Carrie could be next. I guess it’s true that no good deed goes unpunished.”
“Don’t say that.” He
moved closer.
“That’s the way I feel. And how I’m I going to protect Carrie?
” She hesitated. “Maybe I should give the drive back to Johnny.”
“Y
ou’re not serious. If there are plans for a US missile guidance system, you can’t let Vega have it again. You don’t want it to get into enemy hands, do you?”
“
Of course not, but if I don’t give it back Carrie will die. I thought you cared about my sister.”
“I do, but I have to look at the big picture. We’re talking about the safety of the United States.” He thought of the intruder’s promise that Kelly
and Carrie would die if she didn't return the flash drive. The men would keep their word as sure as they killed Agent Simmons. He had to do something to stop them before Kelly’s time ran out.
C
hapter Twenty-two
T
he royal blue sky turned to steel gray. Waves kicked up by the wind made white caps on the lake. A flurry of birch leaves skittered across the plank floor.
Brick watched
Kelly walk to the end of the deck and face the water. A breeze rustled her hair sending out golden sparks of light. She held on to the railing, her face turned to the wind, a petite figure alone against the tides of nature. If only he could stop time and keep her safe.
A realization spread th
rough him. She’d become precious to him, more valued than anything else in his life, his job, his future were gone from his mind. She permeated his soul, a dazzling, shimmering presence. He wanted only to protect and cherish her. Instead, he feared circumstances beyond his control would cause her death.
He
stood behind her and kneaded her shoulders to release the tension he found. He thought she might pull away, but she leaned against him.
“
I’ve always loved it here on the lake. It’s so peaceful. It’s filled with so many wonderful family memories,” she said.
“Yeah.” His arms encircled her.
“When my mom and dad died everything went to hell. At first Carrie and I quarreled and then we weren’t speaking. I had nobody I could to talk to. Then I met Johnny and he made me feel important, even loved. He was kind and exciting.” Breathless, she paused. “Thinking about it now, I realize after my parents died I was a rebellious teen, a real pain in the ass. I was angry at the world for taking them away.” She gulped back a sob.
He waited for her to continue.
“I was horrible. I made Carrie’s life miserable. Now because of my recklessness I’ve put her life and your life in danger.”
“Don’t Kelly
.”
“
Friends warned me against getting involved with Johnny. I was too pig-headed to listen. I’ve caused so much trouble. I feel so guilty. I’d give anything to change the past.”
“Hush.” He wanted
stop her agony and give her relief from the torment. How well he understood her feelings of guilt. He’d felt the sting of it. If only he’d known of his partner's betrayal, he could have prevented Annie’s death, the witness he was supposed to protect.
“
What a complete and utter failure I've been.” Kelly’s voice was just a whisper barely heard above the wind in the trees.
“
You're too hard on yourself. You had no idea what Johnny was like. How could you?” Her sorrow tore at him. He pulled her closer and stroked her hair. “There was no way to foresee any of this.”
She buried her face against his chest, her breasts grazing hi
m as she did. He tensed but didn’t move.
Another gust of wind blew off the lake and she trembled.
“You’re cold. We should go inside,” he said, not wanting to let her go.
She raised her head
and gazed at him. “Kiss me.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Please. Kiss me.”
S
lowly, he gently brushed his lips against hers.
She moaned.
Smoldering heat ran through him, a feeling like nothing he’d experienced with any other woman. He kissed her again, a deeper kiss this time, even though he knew he had to let her go soon.
“
We better get inside.” He took her hand and led her out of the wind to the safety of the living room.
***
Kelly watched Brick light the logs in the fireplace. When he finished, she went to him. “I love you. I always have. Even when I was a teenager I loved you.” She reached up and covered his lips with her fingers tips. “I had to tell you. You don't have to say anything. It's just that I’ve been saying it to myself for so long, I wanted to say it to you too just once.”
His eyes widened
and then his expression softened.
With a gentle hand
she caressed his cheek. The past and the future was unimportant, nothing mattered but this moment. It was the only thing that held meaning for her. She wanted him more than she could admit to him. From now on whatever happened between them, some part of her would always love him.
He pulled her to him. She went willingly. He lifted her face to his and gazed into the depths of her eyes. There was raw hunger in his expression. The same hunger she felt flowing in her, enflaming her.
“I don't deserve you Kelly.” His was voice ragged.
He’d always exuded such strength. So when he bent to
meet her parted lips, she was surprised by the gentleness of his kiss. A charge went through her. She clung to him. Gone were her feelings of guilt and regret. Brick was with her and right now that was all that mattered.
His kiss sent a wave of
pleasure spiraling in her. Her heartbeat quickened. She leaned against the length of him and opened her mouth wider, wanting more of him.
His kiss became more demanding. As their tongues danced, she met his passion with passion of her own.
His hips began a slow undulating movement and she moved with him.
Her hand ran down the length of his corded arm, finding his hand she brought it to her breast.
Nipples tightened at his touch and she felt heat flood the space between her inner thighs.
She
wanted her skin touching him.
Almost as if he heard her
thinking, he lifted her top over her head and dropped it to the floor. With one easy movement he released her breast from the sheer satin fabric of her bra.
“
You're beautiful,” he whispered as he knelt before her and rubbed her nipple to hardness. With his mouth to her breast he sucked, causing a wave of emotions deep within her. She sighed and held his head to her tingling breast.
Increasing the pressure, his mouth pulled and sucked.
Her response was so intense she wondered if she could continue to stand.
He released her pant's zipper and with one movement slid pants and panties to the floor.
He kissed her abdomen and left moisture to cool her flaming skin. His hand ran slowly down her body to her thighs and then moved toward her inner core. He caressed her inner thigh and then touched her femininity. She moaned as her whole body quivered and her knees became weak.
He
lifted her into his arms, took her to the bedroom and set her on the bed.
On her back, she watched as he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it away. She marveled at the golden skin that spread over his hard muscled torso, for the first time understanding the meaning of the phrase
“hard body”.
A need
sparked in her. “I have to touch you, everywhere.” She sat up and, ran her palms slowly over his solid chest and abdomen. She heard his breathing quicken.
He
undressed and his body spoke, with eloquence, of how much he wanted her. He was impressive and so much more than she could have imagined. His need stood fully extended in front of her.
“
I want you,” she whispered and then lay back down and gazed up at him.
H
e held himself over her, his body almost touching hers.
With j
ust the thought of his contact, she quivered and arced up in anticipation. Then she touched him, running her hands over his strong back and tight buttocks.
He
straddled her as his mouth reclaimed hers. His strong hand kneaded her breast. Waves of sweet heat soaked her core. His mouth found her pearled nipple, while his fingers reached her center, touching her until ripples of longing pulsed through her.
Her blood turned to molten lava. It coursed through her veins, setting fire to a new part of her as it flowed, her body softening as it
warmed. In anticipation of his entry, her pelvis rose to meet him. She wanted him inside her, pushing, demanding and taking.
“
Brick, please.”
***
He gazed at the passion in her eyes. Her clear translucent skin and pink tightly budded breast were tipped with moisture. Her slender legs open in welcome.
He wanted to plunge into her
and take her with hard thrusts, until neither of them had the strength to continue, drowning her fire with his seed. But more than meeting his desires, he wanted to give her pleasure, to wipe away some of the pain she’d suffered.
She looked so delicate. He didn't want to hurt her.
He tested her to be sure she was ready. She signed and clung to him.
“More
,” she whispered.
Little by little
he entered her. The sweetness of her was almost overwhelmed him. She moved under him, moaning slightly, almost undoing him. He shivered and it took all his control not to sheath himself fully in her.
He concentrated on pleasing her
, kissing the nape of her neck while he rubbed her breast to hardness and then touching her private spot until she moaned for him to penetrate her completely. She called his name and her hips jerked upward to meet him. Moving with her he slid deeper inside, increasing in strength and speed until he filled her totally. Her honey was sweeter than he thought possible.
***
Her breath caught as she felt him tight inside her
. Yes.
She didn't speak. She was too overcome with sensations of love. She wanted him to take her and fill the empty years she'd wasted, fill the time she'd existed without him.
Her body and soul was captured and held by his spiraling need. Trying to pull him even
closer, her nails scratched him as her hands ran down his back to his harden muscle.
It only
seemed to increase his desire. He moved faster just as she wanted. She joined him, moving in rhythm with him as if they had been performing as lovers forever.
While he thrust inside her, he reached for her private spot,
and stroked it over and over again.
“
Oh yes,” she whispered.
The
sensations were so great she didn't know if she could absorb them. Her breath was ragged and her skin inflamed. She welcomed his passion as he relentlessly thrust again and again increasing the pace and tempo. She held on as he carried her with him, her body saturated with feelings almost too great to manage. Her mind filled with love for him. He touched her once more and she shook and cried out.
Her control gone, h
er body moved of its own volition, passion captivating her. She heard herself cry out again as he thrust deeply inside her and then she went still. A tingling sensation spread from her core throughout her body even to the end of her fingertips. Just then, she felt him release his seed.
“
Kelly,” he whispered.
Intertwined, she lay with him
and listened to his ragged breathing and heard her own matching breaths. Unable to move, spent, but fulfilled, she smiled.
M
inutes passed. She opened her eyes to see him finally rise on one elbow and look down at her.
“
I cherish you Kelly,” he said, gently putting his fingertips over her lips, letting her know she didn't have to respond. Then he rolled on to his back and pulled her with him.
H
er head rested on his broad chest. With her ear to his heart, she listened to the resolute beat. More joy than she had ever imagined filled her. Safe in his arms, she let her eyes close.
Kelly
woke, still naked under the sheets. Her hand touched her swollen lips and then her budded breast, her nipple still sensitive from Brick’s kisses. It was true, and not a dream, he’d made love to her. She rolled over, expecting to see him in bed next to her. She sat up with a start. Her heart beat erratically. He was gone.