Page 9

Chapter Nine

This being shot at was really starting to piss him off. And he hated knowing that Cassidy was under fire like this on a regular basis.

Not that he didn’t admire her skill and bravery, because he did.

“Stay here for a few minutes.” She stood and pulled the door open.

“I’m coming with you.” He still had the laptop and wasn’t willing to leave it behind. His headache had gotten much worse the longer he’d worked. He was about to take a break when the bullets had started flying.

Cass shot him an annoyed glance as she strode toward the Brookland PD officers who’d responded to the 911 call. “I’m MPD tactical police officer Cassidy Sommer, and this is Gabe Melrose, our tech expert. We need to fan out and search for the shooter.”

Gabe didn’t recognize any of the cops and decided that wasn’t a memory issue, but more that he’d never been in Brookland under these circumstances before. He was impressed that the officers dressed in tactical gear did as Cassidy ordered, one pair spreading out to search the tree line and another pair going around to the back of the motel.

“Cassidy? Are you and Gabe okay?” Gabe turned toward the male voice coming from the lobby doorway. He hadn’t met the man, but he assumed he was the owner, Gary Campbell.

And from the looks of their two motel rooms, they’d once again caused significant damage to the place. Both windows of the rooms were broken, and the drywall inside was pockmarked with slugs.

He felt bad they’d brought danger to his doorstep.

“Yes, we’re fine,” Cassidy called. “Do you have video for us?”

“I do, but the perp is wearing a ski mask and was dressed in black.” Gary came out to survey the damage. “Wow. Looks bad.”

“I’m sorry, but you know we’ll pay for the repairs.” Cass patted Gary’s arm. “And we’ll put a rush on that so it’s ready by the holiday.”

“That would help,” Gary said with a sigh. “I am booked solid starting two weeks before Christmas.”

“I’m really sorry,” she said again. “We took precautions. I have no idea how we were found.”

Gabe thought back to the call he’d received from his mother. On his side, he’d used a new disposable phone. But his mother obviously hadn’t. Was it possible someone had infiltrated her electronics? Deeply enough to track her phone call to his location?

It was possible, and that made him feel even worse. “I think it’s my fault.”

“No, it’s not,” Cassidy swiftly said. “You’re a victim in this, Gabe.”

Her support was touching, but she wasn’t following. “No, I mean, I think it’s possible someone traced the call my mother made to me from her phone to this location.”

“How?” Cassidy asked with a frown.

“I’m not sure, but the technology is there and accessible for those who know how to exploit it. Everyone has their homes wired up these days. They use their wireless internet to log onto their TVs, their phones, and computers. They’ll use a central device to turn items on and off, choose songs, and that kind of thing.” He shrugged. “I suspect that somehow these guys are tapped into my mother’s home network.”

He didn’t add that Travis likely could have done that without breaking a sweat.

“Okay, now you’re really freaking me out,” Cassidy said. “If these guys can do that and shoot guns, we’re at a distinct disadvantage.”

“I told you I should have a weapon too.” Even as he said the words, though, he knew he wouldn’t find it easy to shoot at a person. Unless, of course, that person was aiming at Cassidy. He swallowed hard, and added, “But that’s not going to help us find Travis. Or understand why these guys have targeted me.”

“Clear!”

“Clear!”

One by one the officers cleared the area. Cassidy watched grimly as the four of them returned to the parking lot. It was both a relief and a frustration. He shared Cassidy’s desire to grab and arrest this guy. But he was just as glad the danger was over.

For now.

“Thanks for responding so quickly,” Cassidy said. “We’ll need the crime scene techs to get here to retrieve any slugs and shell casings.”

“There are several casings on the ground between the trees,” one of the officers said. “He didn’t bother to recover his brass.”

“I’m not surprised. He was moving too fast to worry about that.” Cassidy scowled. “I doubt we’ll find prints, but it’s worth a shot.”

Two off the officers went over to gather the casings.

Another SUV pulled up. Gabe half expected Rhy, but it was a pair of detectives who emerged from the vehicle. He could see their gold badges clipped to their belts.

“Must be the new guys,” Cassidy murmured. He wasn’t sure what she meant but couldn’t ask as she stepped forward. “MPD Tactical Officer Sommer.”

“Detectives Olsen and Rippon,” the taller of the two men said. “What happened?”

“Our tech expert Gabe Melrose has been assaulted and targeted by gunfire several times over the past twenty-four hours,” Cassidy said. “We came here to stay off the radar. Unfortunately, the gunman found us.”

Detective Rippon turned to face him. “Why are you being targeted?”

“I’m not sure. I’m still trying to figure it out.” He didn’t want to explain his memory loss. “I think it has to do with some sort of programming code. I wish I could tell you more, but I haven’t figured it out yet.”

The detectives exchanged an incredulous look. “Seriously? That’s all you have?”

“Yes, or we wouldn’t be staying in a motel trying to avoid being shot at.” Cassidy waved her hand at the broken windows. “As you can see, that didn’t work out so well for us.”

“Why do I feel like you’re holding back?” Detective Olsen asked. “We might be new detectives in Brookland, but we’re well aware of how Rhy Finnegan tends to swoop in and steal cases that belong to us.”

“Hey, does anyone want to see the video?” Gary asked, interrupting what Gabe sensed was a bitter argument.

“Yes, I do.” Gabe turned to see Cass nod in agreement. “And I’d like a copy of it as well.”

“We need that too,” Detective Rippon said.

“Figured you would, I’ll make copies for both departments.” Gary turned and led the way inside. Gabe and Cassidy crowded on one side of Gary, while the two detectives took the other.

The video quality wasn’t bad, and Gabe wondered if he’d had any input into what Gary had purchased. His stomach tightened when he saw the dark figure dressed in black moving quietly through the trees, gun in hand.

“I told you he was wearing a ski mask,” Gary said apologetically, as if he should have been able to do more with his cameras. “But you can see that he takes several shots, ducks behind the tree when Cassidy returns fire, fires another series of shots, then disappears from view.”

“Can you zoom in to see his clothing better?” Detective Rippon asked.

“Sure.” Gary zoomed in. “Just looks like basic black jeans, black leather jacket, black gloves, and black ski mask.”

“Not helpful,” Cassidy said with a sigh.

“Nope.” Detective Olsen glared at Cassidy. “Are you sure you don’t know who this guy is or why he’s after your tech expert?”

“If I did, I’d find him and arrest him.” Cassidy’s blue eyes flashed with anger. “I want him and his cohorts caught as much as you do.”

“What makes you think this guy has accomplices?” Rippon asked suspiciously.

“Just a hunch.” Cassidy held up her hands. “I don’t know what we’re dealing with, other than he keeps finding us.”

“Where would you like me to send the video?” Gary asked, interrupting again. “I have Gabe’s contact information, but I need yours.” He gestured toward the two detectives.

Gabe stepped back, giving Cassidy room to move out of the small office. She reached for her phone.

“Wait.” He put a hand on her arm. “Not sure we should be making calls from here.”

“We’re not staying, and we need a ride.” She glanced over her shoulder at the two detectives. “I doubt they’re willing to drop us off at the car rental agency.”

He grimaced. “Is it always territorial like that?”

“We used to be on better terms with the Brookland PD because Rhy lives a few blocks from here. But after last month, things have been tense.”

He wanted to ask what happened last month, but Cassidy’s phone rang. “It’s Rhy,” she said, before answering. “Hey, Rhy, we’re fine, but the shooter got away.”

Gabe scanned the area. listening as she filled their boss in on the recent events.

“Okay, thanks, Rhy.” She lowered the phone. “Roscoe is on his way to pick us up. The scene at the mall has been secured, the shooter is dead on scene, and the five victims are being rushed to Trinity Medical Center. No officers were hurt.”

He was glad to hear the crisis was over, but it wasn’t good that it had taken place at all. Shootings in general had gotten out of control. Not just those individuals with a personal vendetta, but those seeking notoriety or lashing out in anger.

It made the shootings targeting him pale in comparison.

He glanced down at the computer. Was that why he’d chosen to fight crime from behind a desk using a computer as his only weapon?

Man, he really wished he could remember.

“Come on, let’s get back inside to wait for Roscoe.” Cassidy tugged at his arm. “It’s cold out here.”

The Brookland detectives didn’t say anything as they walked by, but Rippon was on the phone, his expression betraying his anger. “Yes, sir,” he said. “I understand.”

Cassidy waited until the lobby door shut behind the detectives. “I’m sure Rhy has been in touch with their captain.” A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Our boss has a way of getting what he wants.”

From his interactions with Rhy Finnegan, that wasn’t a surprise. He was about to ask again about the incident last month when Cass’s phone buzzed.

“Hey, Roscoe.” She listened for a moment, then said, “Yep. We’re here in the lobby. See you in ten.” She tucked her phone away. “We’ll be out of here soon.”

“Good. What about our suitcases?”

“They’ll have to stay here until the crime scene has been cleared.” She shrugged. “Not important now.”

“Yeah, okay.” He couldn’t deny he was glad to put this recent shooting behind him. In that moment, it struck him how close they’d come to dying today. And not for the first time.

He set the computer on the lobby sofa, then turned to face Cass. He reached out to draw her close. Without allowing himself to talk himself out of it, he brushed a kiss over her mouth, giving her plenty of time to back away or even to slap him.

She didn’t.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, deepening their kiss. His heart soared as he held her close.

If he’d ever kissed her before, he felt certain this time was different. Better. Far, far better than anything he might have imagined.

And he wished he never had to let her go.

Being held and kissed by Gabe was amazing. So much so that Cassidy wondered why they hadn’t done this before.

“Did you get the—oh, sorry.” Gary sounded cheerfully apologetic. When Cassidy broke off their kiss, she could see the motel owner grinning at them. “Just wanted to be sure you got the video.”

“I, uh, Gabe?” Flustered, she glanced over as Gabe picked up the laptop he’d tossed onto the sofa.

“Checking now,” he said, looking adorable with the tips of his ears burning red from acute embarrassment. As if he’d been caught stealing a cookie.

It helped to know the impact of their unexpected embrace was not one-sided. Although she couldn’t help but wonder if Gabe would have kissed her if he had his memory back.

Somehow, she didn’t think so.

“Um, yeah. I have it,” Gabe said a moment later. “And it opens without difficulty. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Gary was still grinning like a fool.

She caught a glimpse of a black SUV pulling up to the lobby. “We need to go. Roscoe’s here.” She nodded at Gary. “I’ll talk to Rhy about fast-tracking the repairs.”

“I appreciate that.” Gary’s smile faded as the seriousness of the situation returned to the forefront of their minds. “And stay safe. Both of you.”

“That’s the plan,” she said, heading toward the door.

The cold wind slapped them hard as they headed outside. Funny, she hadn’t noticed it as much when they were outside watching the search for the shooter.

With a shiver, she slid into the front next to Roscoe. Gabe took the back.

“Hey, heard you’re having memory issues.” Roscoe turned to glance at Gabe. “I’m sorry to hear that. And that you’ve been targeted by gunfire.”

“Thanks.” Gabe’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I hate knowing Gary’s place was damaged because of me.”

“The shooter is responsible, not us,” Cass said quickly. “None of this is your fault.”

“I don’t know,” Gabe said in a low voice as he stared blindly out the window. “I feel like it is. That I somehow started this mess but can’t remember how or why.”

She exchanged a long look with Roscoe, not knowing how to reassure him. Even if Gabe did somehow set these events in motion, she was convinced there was a good reason.

Too bad they were no closer to figuring out what exactly that entailed.

“Do you want another rental car?” Roscoe asked, drawing her attention from her troubled thoughts. “Everyone is planning to meet back at the precinct to debrief.”

Did they need another rental car if Steele was bringing the one Flynn had already gotten for them? Probably not. “Heading back to the precinct is a good idea for safety reasons.” She frowned. “I really wish the safe house was available.”

“Yeah, I hear you.” Roscoe shrugged. “We’ll figure something out.”

She didn’t point out that so far their efforts had been in vain. Then again, she wasn’t sure what they could have done differently. It had never occurred to her that Gabe’s mother’s phone could be tracked through her home network to the American Lodge. She twisted in her seat to look at Gabe. “I thought the reason we use passwords on our home security networks is to prevent people from hacking into them?”

“It is,” Gabe said, “but nothing is foolproof.”

“But if that’s the case, how do we prevent hacking?” She scowled. “You’re making it sound as if anyone can get access into our private homes.”

“Not easy,” he said, “but not impossible either. Keep in mind, Travis is missing.”

Now she understood. “You think Travis could have given the bad guys the password to the network.”

“Yes. Or one of his techy friends already had it.” Gabe’s expression turned grave. “I’m worried Travis is working against us on this. That he somehow got in over his head with some really bad actors.”

She wasn’t sure how to respond. She wanted to believe they’d find Travis alive and well and not doing anything illegal. “Either way, we’ll find him.”

Gabe frowned. “I hope so.”

They arrived at the precinct at quarter past four in the afternoon. Past shift change, but she knew from experience Rhy would work as late as needed.

Roscoe parked next to the rental. The three of them climbed out and headed inside. The rest of the team was already assembled in the conference room.

“We’re not sure what the shooters motives were,” Steele was saying as they entered. “I suspect the feds will be all over this.”

Rhy nodded. “I spoke to my brother Brady; he’s got their tech expert Ian Dunlap digging into the shooter’s background. He’ll let me know when they find something.”

“Why do I get the feeling that’s a task I should be doing?” Gabe asked as they sat in the three empty seats.

There was a pause before Rhy said, “I probably would have asked for your help, but these shootings are being investigated as domestic terrorism, which means the feds would be involved no matter what.”

Cassidy could tell that Gabe was upset at not being able to help, so she redirected the conversation. “Gabe was explaining to me that his mother’s home internet security could have been breached by the bad guys, and that’s how we were tracked to the American Lodge.”

Rhy’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? How is that even possible?”

She was glad she wasn’t the only clueless one. She waved at Gabe, indicating he should explain.

“The easy answer is that Travis or one of his friends gave out the password. But the truth is any network can be hacked. And Travis’s home may have been targeted on purpose in a cyberattack.”

“Great, another thing to worry about,” Brock muttered. “As if we don’t have enough violence on the street, now we have to worry about cyberattacks.”

“Cyberattacks have always been a problem,” Joe said. “But until now they hadn’t been used to target law enforcement activities.”

There was another moment of silence as that sank in.

“We need to figure out how to keep Gabe safe,” Cass finally said. “Especially since he needs to keep working on the computer code we found in his freezer.”

“Those are words that have never been in the same sentence before now,” Raelyn said in a low voice to Jina.

Grayson grinned and shook his head. “Nope.”

“Whatever.” Cass waved a hand. “What’s the plan? We can rent a place, but how long will we be able to use the internet before it’s hacked?”

“They’d have to find us there first,” Gabe said. He used both hands to rub his temples as if to ease his headache. “And I hate to admit it, but I may need some rest. The screen time is making my headache worse. I was having trouble seeing the code when the shooter found us at the motel.”

She hadn’t realized how difficult working on the code had been for him. Was that the reason his memory hadn’t returned? “Of course, you should rest. You suffered a horrible injury, and we need your mind to heal.”

“Yeah, well, I also need to find Travis,” Gabe said. “But there’s not much I can do when the screen goes blurry.”

“We need to take you to Trinity Medical Center,” Grayson said.

“I’ll support that, too, but when Sami had amnesia, doctor’s orders were basically to rest, which meant no screen time at all—television, computer, or phone,” Rhy said. “We haven’t been following that treatment plan since this happened.”

“No hospital, but I will have to concede on the rest issue.” Gabe grimaced and pressed harder on his temples. “My stomach is churning again, just like it was after I woke up from being attacked.”

Now she was concerned. She jumped up and tugged on his arm. “Come on, let’s get you into the equipment room.”

“Go,” Rhy said. “That’s an order.”

Gabe must have felt bad enough that he didn’t argue. But he paused in the doorway to glance back at the team. “Please wake me up if you get news, good or bad, on Travis.”

“We will,” Cass assured him. “I promise.”

Rhy nodded in agreement. “Of course.”

She walked with Gabe to the equipment room where they had two cots. “Get some sleep.” She didn’t kiss him again, the way she wanted to.

He stretched out with a sigh and closed his eyes. “Thanks,” he whispered.

She closed the door and quickly returned to the conference room. Everyone turned to look at her when she walked in. “What?” she asked, confused by the attention. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing,” Joe said with a wry grin. “We’re discussing how to arrange for a rental. We’re thinking of asking Rhy’s brother-in-law Bax Scala to help with that.”

“Good idea to use the DA’s office to secure a rental property rather than using the City Central Hotel,” she said. Rhy’s sister Kyleigh Finnegan now Scala married Bax last year. Bax and Maddy Sinclair, formerly Callahan, both worked as ADAs for the city of Milwaukee. The Callahans, the Finnegans, and their tactical team all worked together to fight crime.

But this was the first time Cass felt as if they were out of their depth. The computer aspect of this case had them at a disadvantage.

Especially with Gabe’s amnesia hampering their progress.

“Yeah, Bax specifically asked us to stop going to the City Central,” Joe said with a sigh. “Apparently, bullet holes are not reassuring for the witnesses who stay there.”

Rhy grimaced. “That’s an exaggeration; the bullet holes were fixed. And it’s not our fault that gunmen tracked us down there. But I agreed to stay away for a while.”

“Don’t forget to fix Gary’s motel rooms,” Cassidy said. “I promised him that we would.”

With a nod, Rhy said, “I made those calls while I was waiting for everyone to get here. The glass guy will be there first thing in the morning.”

“To get back to the cyber security problem, can we ask the FBI’s tech guy for help?” Jina asked. “I’m not sure what he can do for us, but without Gabe, it feels like we’re shooting in the dark without ammo.”

“Good idea,” Rhy said, rising to his feet. “I’ll talk to Brady about that. I’m sure Ian won’t mind taking a look at Gabe’s mystery code.”

After Rhy left, the rest of them sat silent for a moment. Then Cassidy said, “I’ll stay here, but the rest of you should head home to your families.” It was a stark reminder that she was the only nonmarried or engaged member of the group. And several of the guys had pregnant wives. Last she’d heard, Raelyn and her husband, Isaiah, were actively trying to conceive too. “I’ll call if we come up with anything.”

“I don’t have to rush home,” Jina said.

“Me either,” Raelyn added.

“Go, please.” She waved them off. “There’s nothing any of you can do.”

And that included her.

Her teammates filed out, each giving her a quick one-armed hug to show their support. They’d barely left the precinct when Rhy poked his head out of his office. “Cass? They found the Corvette.”

She sucked in a harsh breath as she hurried over. “Where?”

“Abandoned in a park-and-ride lot about five miles from where you and Gabe found Travis’s phone.” Rhy looked grim. “They also found a smear of blood on the rear panel.”

“The trunk?” She wasn’t a car expert, would a body even fit in the trunk of a Vette? “Is Travis...”

“The trunk is empty,” Rhy said quickly. “The local crime scene techs are heading out to take a sample of the blood for testing.”

Blood on Travis’s car. She swallowed hard, glancing toward the equipment room where Gabe was sleeping.

The news was concerning. Was the blood an indication Travis was hurt?

Or worse, dead?