Page 53 of Shades of Mercy

Chapter Fourteen

“Sorry to bother you. Bryar told me the card for kitchen supplies is in the drawer and I could grab it.

“No bother. I’m just frustrated with this damn computer.” He reached into the drawer and took out the envelope, handing it to her.

“I haven’t seen Jag. Have you seen him?” Since their argument, she hadn’t seen him, which was weird considering he was overprotective.

“He and a couple of the guys are on the mountain searching for a missing kid.”

“Does he do this often?”

Puma nodded. “He’s a damn good tracker. Search and rescue on the mountain isn’t easy. I wish I had spent more time getting the drone connected. But I’m being pulled in a dozen directions. We could use it to help right now, but setting up the program requires a genius.”

This certainly grabbed Mercy’s interest. “I know a lot about using drones for surveillance. I could help if you’d like. It won’t take long to set it up. I’ve done it a dozen times.”

Puma looked up, relief spreading across his expression. “Could you?”

She smiled. “Drones are amazing for a lot of purposes. I also noticed that your security cameras aren’t turned on. A few could be relocated to be more effective.”

“Ironic that a security business can’t take care of its own security needs.” He looked very stressed. He glanced at his watch. “I’m running late to pick up Bryar for an appointment.”

“I can stay and figure all the logistics for you,” she offered.

There was no hesitation. “That would be a lifesaver. I should be back later this evening. While I have my wife out, I’d like to take her to dinner.”

“You take as much time as you want. I think I can have the drone and the ranch security ready for use by this evening.” She rubbed her palms together, excitement coming over her.

She barely bid him goodbye because she was already sitting behind the monitor, typing away at the keyboard. This was where she felt most at home.

She sat at the desk until the shadows began to creep into the office.

One last click…

And…

Everything was back online.

She stood to stretch and glanced through the window. Bones was working on a fence nearby. She thought she remembered him being on the same part of the fence when she came into the office a few hours ago.

Figured!

Jag must have asked Bones to keep an eye on her because no one spends hours on mending a section of a fence.

With a roll of her eyes, she dropped back down into the chair, drumming her fingers.

Jag was a problem.

A very delicious problem.

Her mind wandered to Howie and McKinley, and the burner phone she had tucked in her boot.

Were they curious where she was?

Then the temptation got too much.

She took out her phone and pulled up her email. Howie had reached out to her. He was worried.

She didn’t know if she could trust him.