“You think something’s wrong?” Raven’s question yanked him from the spiral of everything that could go wrong.
“I truly don’t know. Xander’s thorough. Sometimes too thorough if you ask the guys. It’s the pilot in him.”
“Then we let him do his job and focus on ours.” Raven clutched his arm and squeezed.
“You’re right. Now that my head isn’t ready to explode, I’ll work on those threat emails some more.”
She nodded and returned her attention to her screen.
Liam opened his laptop and logged in. He cringed at the light and tapped the brightness down.
“Here, boss.” Rafe handed him a pair of sunglasses.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Nah, man. Give it a try. It’s better than an ice pick to the brain.”
“I can’t argue with that.” He slid on the glasses, and an instant groan of relief slipped out.
Rafe and Raven chuckled, but neither said a word.
Silence followed as the small group continued the online search for who had targeted Raven.
“Do you think we’re making a leap?” she asked.
Rafe peered over his monitor. “What do you mean?”
“Lumping my abduction and Echo’s equipment tampering into the same crime.”
Liam studied her for a moment. “My gut says the sale of the code and you flagging the inconsistencies are connected. But you’re right. As my grandma used to say, we shouldn’t put all our eggs in one basket.”
“You and those old sayings.” Rafe shook his head. “You’re right, though. So, Raven, where else should we look?”
The creases in her forehead deepened. “As you’ve figured out, I don’t leave my house much. I don’t work at an office, so no personal office issues. I’m not rude to the people who make deliveries or the shop owners around my small town. My life centers around the STRIKE task force and everything that revolves around that.” She shrugged.
“We’re deep diving into all things computer with the black market. How about we look at those involved with STRIKE?”
“Each person on the task force comes from different agencies. I can’t see anyone wanting to do harm, but then again…” Raven let her words hang.
“Raven, you stay with the black-market sale. I’ll take STRIKE. Liam, continue to analyze the email threats.” Rafe gave the orders like he owned Charlie Team.
Liam raised a brow and narrowed his gaze at his second in command, who gave him a cheesy grin. He rolled his eyes and instantly regretted it. “Xander’s report still bugs me.”
“On it.” Rafe stared at the opposite wall. “Charlie Three, Charlie Two.”
“Go ahead, Charlie Two.”
“Extra eyes on the perimeter. Check in with Five and peruse the wildlife.”
“Copy that.” A few minutes later, Dax exited the back door of the cabin.
Liam appreciated the addition to the patrol, but it couldn’t last indefinitely. His men required rest. In fact, Rafe was running on fumes. “Rafe, you’ve been at this for hours. You need rack time.”
“I’ll power down in a bit. I’ve hit my second wind with this new path to follow.”
“Fine. But don’t get sloppy.”
“Promise.”
