Page 26 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

S tacey sighed, walking back into her office.

The morning meeting had been a bit monotonous.

The manager of the publishing house that took over for Jerry last year was a young man fresh out of college.

Okay, so he was two years out of college.

While she could appreciate his enthusiasm for the business, he was still wet behind the ears when it came to leadership skills.

On the other side though, she could see that in a few years he would have the experience he was currently lacking.

Sitting behind her desk, she was about to reach for her phone to call Walt about it, when the phone rang. “Stacey Carlin.”

“Why hello Stacey.”

A bolt of shock shot through her. “Who is this?”

The man on the other end laughed. “You know who this is.”

His laugh was gravely and sinister. Reaching for her cell on the desk, she calmly texted Ethan. “So now you decide you have the balls to reach out.”

Ethan! He called me. On the phone with him now!

“My, my, such rudeness.” The man said, his voice dropping. “Perhaps I should teach you some manners.”

“Bring it on asshat. It will be your biggest mistake.”

Stacey stated as her phone buzzed. Ethan.

Keep him talking. Tony is working his magic. He’s also recording it .

Staying calm, she focused on what the man was now saying.

“You honestly think I was going to forget about you just because you left New York? I have plans and you play a major part in those plans.”

“Then what the hell are you waiting for? Huh? I’m right here. I’m not the one hiding behind a damned computer screen here. Are you scared? Scared of a mere woman? Is that it?” Stacey argued.

The man laughed again, his laugh taking on an almost crazy edge to it.

“Me scared of you? I think not. You will soon find out what my plans are. Just know this, Stacey. The police cannot protect you. The Feds are laughable at best. And Blackout? Now, they might prove a challenge for me, but even they won’t be able to save you in the end.

Soon, very soon you will find that out firsthand. ”

Stacey cursed when he hung up. She dialed Ethan. “Damn it. He hung up.”

“Yes, we caught that. Tony wasn’t able to get a location on him.” Ethan sighed.

“Now what?” she asked.

“I don’t know. He’s thrown us a curve ball by calling you at work. However, that could work to our favor. It could mean he’s either getting desperate or...” Ethan broke off.

“Or that he’s just screwing with us again and this is just part of his plan.” Stacey sighed.

“Exactly.” Ethan agreed. “Tony will take the recording and what he was able to track to Elias. We’ll keep you posted on what they are able to find.”

“Should we tell Gage? About him calling I mean?” she asked carefully.

“No, let’s hold off. For now, at any rate. If he calls again, I’ll fill him in. Damn it!” Ethan hissed. “I want to keep him out but...”

“Now this guy has stepped it up and it might not be so easy.” She sighed, tilting her head back, eyes closed.

“Alright. If you think it’s best, I won’t say anything and if he calls again, I’ll let you tell Gage, and we can go from there.

You’re his boss and you know him better on how to break this new development to him than I do. ”

“Yeah, which does not make it easier. Does your boss here in Austin know what’s going on?”

“Um, well... he knows some of it, but not everything. I know Walt told him a little anyway.”

“I suggest you tell him. Now. If we have to go in there for security and whatnot, he needs to know what’s going on here.

It could also help to have the building’s security be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.

I know they’ve been keeping an eye out, but this is an evolution we need to get ahead of if we can. ”

“I’ll go to Chase now and give him full disclosure.

I’ll let you know what his reaction is and such after I tell him.

I’ll also call Walt. This fucker went after Walt and I don’t want him put at risk again, or anyone else in New York.

My gut is saying he’s here in Austin now, but I won’t take any chances.

Talk to you later and have Tony call or text me later after he and his friend do whatever it is they do. ” Stacey said.

“Will do. Watch your back.” Ethan replied.

After hanging up, she let out a groan. This was not what she wanted to do.

Standing from her chair and squaring her shoulders, she left the office and headed down the hall toward Chase’s office.

She knocked and waited until he called for her to enter before walking into the office, closing the door behind her.

He was sitting at his desk typing away at his computer.

She sat down in one of his visitor chairs.

About a minute later he finished what he was working on and looked up.

“Hey Stacey, what can I do for you?” Chase smiled.

“Chase, when I relocated here, what all did Walt tell you about my move and the reason behind it?” She started.

Chase’s lips pursed and he shifted a little in his chair. “He, well, he told me that you had a...shall we say a persistent friend.”

“Yeah, we can say that. Anyway, not long after I moved here, he made contact again.” She said.

For the next ten minutes, she explained Blackout’s involvement, the attack on Walt, the attack on Gage and now the phone call.

Chase’s eyes widened as she told him what was happening.

When she finished, she just studied the young man.

He opened and closed his mouth several times.

She understood his shock. This whole mess seemed like something you would read about in a fiction book or see in Hollywood.

“Wow. And you’re still able to function? I’d be a nervous wreck.” He stated. “So, what do you need from me?”

“At the moment, nothing. Ethan just felt since this creep has now branched out to calling me, at work no less, that you should be filled in. Just in case Blackout has to add a man or two here. Ethan also suggested you have the building security keep an eye out for anyone or anything out of the ordinary, which we know you’ve already been doing. ” She answered.

“Absolutely. If you need to work from home or anything just let me know and we’ll figure it out.” He agreed.

“Thanks Chase. I’ll let you get back to work. As for working from home, I will let you know. If it comes to that.” She smiled, pushing up from the chair.

“Just keep me updated, as need be.” Chase nodded.

Stacey rolled her shoulders as she made her way back to her office.

She was not going to let this fucker get to her.

That is what he wanted. Well, she had a surprise for him.

She was not going to crack. He was not going to get to her that way.

Work. That is what she needed to do. That’s what she would do.

He wasn’t going to rattle her cage. No, Stacey would beat him this round.

Reaching for the stack of manuscripts, she paused.

Putting the manuscript down, she reached for the phone and called Walt as she told Ethan she would.

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G age shut down his computer and stood from his desk.

Today had been relatively easy. As he and the other guys suspected, Krista’s dad, Nick Jameson was indeed running for Governor.

When he and Morton had heard his name announced, both men had to fight not to grin.

After the press conference, he and Morton got to meet with the head of the political rally.

Over the next few weeks, they would receive tentative plans for the four candidates speaking engagements and such.

Of course, Blackout wouldn’t be overseeing all of these engagements, only the ones in and around Austin anyway.

Gage suspected that with Nick in the running, Blackout might be hired for him on trips around the state to build support.

Though nothing was set in stone. They would find out later Gage figured, as he grabbed his bag from the table by the door and clicked off the lights.

Tonight, Stacey was having dinner with Krista and Alora.

He decided he would swing by his house to check on it.

For the last two, almost three weeks, he had been staying at Stacey’s place since he had promised her parents he would.

Ever since her stalker proved he knew where Gage lived, he also figured this would be a smart move.

“Hey Gage.”

“Huh? Oh, hey Danny.” Gage grinned as the younger man stepped onto the elevator with him. “It’s official, your dad is running for Governor.”

“I heard.” Danny chuckled. “Not that I’m surprised really. I’m more concerned about what Mama is going to say. If Dad didn’t give her a heads up, there would be hell to pay tonight in the Jameson household. You got any plans tonight?”

“Not unless you count checking out my house then heading to Stacey’s.”

“Where’s...”

“She is having a girl’s dinner out with Alora and Krista. Which means Ethan or Lance or both will be nearby.”

Danny let out a sigh, “Gage, I’m sorry you’re off this.”

Gage gave a shrug, “It is what it is Danny. I knew I was getting too close, and Ethan did what was best for the team and for Stacey. I’m fine. I promise you.”

“Well, in that case. What do you say we go grab some Mexican food and a cerveza? My treat?” Danny offered.

“You got a deal.” Gage laughed. “I just have to swing by my place first. How about you follow me then we can head out for food.”

“You got it.” Danny nodded.

The two headed for the parking garage. Danny climbed onto his bike while Gage got into his truck.

Pulling out into the evening traffic, they navigated through Austin toward Gage’s house.

While he was still upset about being pulled off Stacey’s case, Gage hadn’t lied when he told Danny he was fine.

After talking with her over the weekend about what had happened, he had felt better.

While he wasn’t one to go for the talking to a shrink thing, talking with Stacey was different.

Maybe it was because he loved her, and she loved him.

He pushed those thoughts aside when fifteen minutes after leaving Blackout, he and Danny pulled into his driveway.

“I’ll be just a few minutes. You want to come in and wait or just hang out here?” Gage asked.

“Nah, I’ll hang here.” Danny answered, after pulling off his helmet.

Gage nodded. He draped his bag over one shoulder and walked toward his front door.

Unlocking the door and walking in, he paused.

For the last week, he had been toying with mentioning to Stacey that maybe they should just move in together at her house.

Permanently. While yes, he liked his house, he absolutely loved hers.

He had only climbed two stairs of his staircase when Gage’s world literally exploded around him.

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S itting in his black car, the man smiled as the house exploded.

His smiled broadened when he watched Danny Jameson bolt for the now burning house.

Now the games would really begin. Laughing, the man pulled away from the curb and drove off as neighbors started pouring out of their homes.

If he were extremely lucky, nobody would notice him or his car.

But even if they did notice the car, it would not do them any good. Picking up his cell, he hit dial.

“Now it begins.”

“ Excellent. Did the bastard die ?”

“I hope not, that would take the fun out this. He had one of his teammates with him, so the slippery bastard will probably survive.”

“ Let us hope so. I guess it’s time for phase two on my end. I’ll report back with how things are progressing on my end .”

“Copy that. I’ll do the same.”

He hung up, as he pulled out of Gage’s neighborhood, passing a fire engine and two cop cars as he did. Yes, now things were getting interesting. Time for the next phase.

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D anny gasped as he got out the front door, Gage unconscious in a fireman’s carry over his shoulders.

Just as the fire truck screeched to a stop, Danny’s legs gave out and he sank to the grass, rolling Gage onto his back.

Sucking in deep breaths of air, he barely registered the firefighter kneeling beside him.

“Sir, was there anyone else inside?”

“N...no...” Danny coughed managing to get to his knees.

“He’s not breathing.” A police officer said.

Danny’s fuzzy brain cleared at those words. He crawled on his knees over to Gage and grabbed the front of Gage’s singed shirt tearing it open. Instinct now taking over, as he started the chest compressions while the police officer got ready for mouth-to-mouth. “Damn it. Come on Gage. Breath.”

For nearly two minutes, Danny and the officer worked in tandem, as the firefighters tackled the fire behind him.

When Gage took a huge gasp of air and started coughing, Danny let out a relieved sigh.

He rolled Gage onto his side and gently rubbed his friend’s back.

Gage opened his eyes and slowly lifted his head, his eyes locked with Danny’s.

Danny took in the smoke-covered face of his friend and teammate.

“Slow breaths Gage. The paramedics are nearly here.” Danny instructed.

“What...what happened?” Gage asked, his voice ragged from the smoke.

“Not now. Let us just get you to the hospital.” Danny said, waving over the medics. “Does anything hurt? Feel broken?”

“I hurt everywhere. Don’t think anything is broken though.” Gage stated.

“Sir, can you tell me your name?” the medic asked, kneeing next to Gage.

As the medics took over, Danny stood and stepped back. Pulling out his phone, he called Ethan. “Ethan, we got a big problem.”