Page 13 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

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S tacey sat in one of the chairs waiting for Jimmy and Cain.

As she promised Gage and Tony, she had come straight here after calling the publishing house and told them she would be a little late.

Of course, the head of the Austin branch was aware of the situation, well part of it anyway, and said for her to take her time in meeting with the feds.

She looked up when the door opened and in walked the duo.

“Hello again Stacey. Hope we didn’t keep you waiting.” Jimmy greeted.

“It’s good to see you guys again.” Stacey smiled as she stood and shook their hands.

Jimmy and Cain gestured for her to follow them.

The trio moved down the hall and then walked into a conference room.

They sat down and Cain started things off.

“We spoke to our fellow agents in New York, and they got us caught up on their end of things, as well as sending us copies of their findings. We also looked over what Tony sent us from the stuff he collected last night after you received the email.”

“And? What do you all think?” Stacey inquired.

“We think you’re right and that this person is possibly someone that you know or knew.” Jimmy said.

“Or at least thinks they know you.” Cain added.

Stacey sighed, “I figured that. The big question is, why use the publishing house to reach out to me?”

“Stacey, you’re an editor for a rising publishing house. Can you think of a better way, or an easier way, to make that first contact than to pose as a potential writer?” Cain pointed out.

“I guess I see your point there. So, what do I need to do? I know Gage was going to talk to Ethan this morning, but he thinks Ethan may tell him that Blackout won’t get involved.” Stacey questioned.

“And I believe that Gage would be right. Since this guy hasn’t made physical contact other than in New York by having those flowers sent and now attacking Walt, I doubt Ethan will want to get involved.

As for what you do, just wait, I’m afraid.

If he’s now discovered you’re here in Austin, it’s hard to say what he will do. ” Jimmy replied.

“He could very well pick up where he left off in New York and start sending the flowers again. If he does, notify us immediately. If you start getting physical mail either at your home or office, call us. Now, if he starts sending actual mail to you, we can talk to Ethan and Gage if you want.” Cain added.

“All right then, we’ll just wait. I’ve been trying to recall anyone I could have rejected, either personally or professionally. I’ve also been thinking over ex boyfriends and lovers, but no one is standing out.” Stacey said.

“Don’t stress too much. Guys like these are cowards by nature we’ve found. They hide behind their computers and when confronted they tend to be easily subdued.” Jimmy assured her.

“Well, if he does confront me, I’ll give him the ass kicking from hell.” Stacey stated.

“For the moment, the NYPD is handling the attack on Walt, but sharing information with the FBI since it is evident his attack is connected to your case. That means Detective Sherman will be forwarding us his findings since you’re not there and this guy has initiated contact again here. ” Caine further explained.

“Alright then. Just keep me updated please. Like Krista, I won’t be kept out of the loop.” Stacey said firmly.

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G age clutched his fist , trying not to lose it. “Ethan, are you sure?”

Ethan sighed, “Gage, brother, I know it’s not what you wanted to hear. Trust me, I know you want to investigate this but even you and Tony said there’s not much to go on. And so far, the only personal contact was him going after Walt last night.”

Gage took a slow breath, held it, and released it. “You’re right.” Gage sighed and pushed up from the chair and started pacing. “Is this how you felt with Krista?”

Ethan chuckled, “Oh no, it was much worse trust me. But her situation was much different than Stacey’s. Look, she said she would keep you in the loop, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Here’s what I want you to do. As things happen, if they continue that is, keep a running tally of what is happening. Emails, those flower deliveries you told me about, that sort of thing. I will check in with Jimmy and Cain and compare notes.”

Gage relaxed a little bit, “Thanks Ethan. I’ll tell Stacey to keep the tally and send it to you. I get the feeling she might not tell me every single email or whatever contact this guy makes.”

Ethan laughed, “Yeah, you’re probably right.

Look, this sucks I know, but your woman.

..hell I saw her fight once and damned if I wouldn’t snatch her up to show the boys here a thing or two if I could.

If this guy grows balls and confronts her.

..” Ethan paused a moment, “well, if he does, he better pray the cops are on site quick.”

“Ain’t that the fuckin’ truth.” Gage nodded in agreement. “Okay, I’ll go call Stace and let her know what you said.”

Gage nodded to Ethan, turned on his heel and walked out of the office.

While he was a little disappointed, he also wasn’t surprised that Ethan said no.

He figured that would be the call and while he didn’t like it, he would follow his team leader, like he had since the day he and Ethan met.

Gage walked into his own office, closed the door, and walked to his desk. Picking up the phone he called Stacey.

“Stacey Carlin.”

“Hey babe.”

“Hey big boy. Judging by the dejected tone in your voice Ethan said to hold.”

He ran a hand through his hair in agitation as he leaned back in his chair. “Yeah. He did say for you to keep a running tally of all contact this asshole makes. I suggested that you just pass it to him instead of me reporting it. He’ll stay in touch with Harker and Fortner and then we’ll see.”

“I can do that.” Stacey agreed. “Gage, I know you don’t like this, but like I told Jimmy and Cain this morning, if he decides to confront me, he’s getting the mother of all ass kicking’s for his trouble.”

Gage couldn’t help but chuckle, “Yeah. Ethan said something similar. He said he’d snatch you up to train our guys here at Blackout if he thought he could.”

Stacey’s easy laugh relaxed Gage. “Well, you tell your Boss I just might consider doing a few freebie lessons if I’m asked nicely.”

Gage laughed, “Well, I better get to work. Call me tonight and we’ll see about setting up either dinner out this week or something this weekend.”

“Sounds like a plan. Talk to you later.”

“Talk to you later.” Gage replied, then hung up after she did.

Sighing, he tried to clear his mind of the situation with Stacey and refocus on his tasks for the day at Blackout.

He only hoped that Stacey didn’t find herself in the same situation as Krista and Alora.

While Lance and Ethan had been surprisingly calm during those crises, Gage just knew he wouldn’t be.

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S tacey sighed tiredly . Finally, her workday was done.

She stretched her arms over her head and yawned, her muscles protesting after being hunched over the keyboard for the last few hours.

She straightened back up and was just about to lean down to pull her purse from her bottom drawer when her computer dinged signaling a new email. She debated a second, then clicked it.

Did you honestly think you could get away from me so easily? Think again Stacey.

I never took you for a coward. Running? Hiding? Well, we’ll just see how this plays out won’t we? Austin, Texas huh? Nice change of scenery, guess I’ll find out.

See you soon beautiful.

Oh, one more thing? How’s the boy toy?

Anger hit first. Then fear, for the first time since this started.

Stacey grabbed her phone and dialed Gage.

It went straight to voice mail. “Gage? Gage? Where are you? Please, please call me the second you get this! That asshole just emailed me again and he knows I’m in Austin and he knows about you. God, where the hell are you? Call me!”

After she hung up, she immediately called Jimmy. “He knows I’m here.”

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G age turned off the shower, pulled back the curtain and reached for the towel.

It had been a long uneventful day at the office, which was both a good thing and a terrible thing.

The bad part had been the lags where his mind drifted to Stacey’s situation and his frustration at not being able to help her more.

Yet, he also saw Ethan’s side and there was frustration.

Slinging the towel around his waist, he walked from the bathroom and into his bedroom.

Moving to his dresser, he had just opened the top drawer when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up, seconds before he heard the first sound.

Not hesitating, he threw on a pair of sweats, slipped the nine-millimeter from the holster on the dresser, and quietly headed for the door.

His house was silent, which was an advantage for him.

He knew his home, knew every creak and moan.

Stepping into the upstairs hall, he paused.

There. Someone was moving around downstairs, trying to be quiet about it too.

Gage took a slow breath and started moving toward the stairs.

Crouching down and peeking through the railings of the banister, he saw a figure dressed in black looking around the living room.

Gage’s gut said this wasn’t a random burglar, while kicking himself for not engaging his security system.

Slowly, he stood from his crouched position and started to take aim at the intruder.

He didn’t get more than a second to think before the figure turned and looked up.

“Oh fuck!” Gage hissed.

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S tacey hit the brakes outside Gage’s house. She jumped off her Ducati, yanked off her helmet, dropping it in the yard and bolted for the door. “Gage!”

“Whoa, whoa, easy there.” Danny said, stopping her before she made it more than two feet into the house.