Page 46 of Yankee in the Wind

“Hmm, that’s possible,” Ace said. “Still doesn’t tell us where they’ve set up shop now.”

“You found no vans in the area that might have transported the equipment?” Jack asked.

“Too many,” Fox said. “We can’t possibly follow all of them.” Then he smiled unexpectedly. “So Michelle and I are working on searching the power grid for any power surges and cross reference them with any sightings of large vans that might have delivered the scanning equipment.”

“That’s smart. Anything yet?” Jack asked.

“We only got the program up and running in the last half hour. It’s not plug and play, it takes some finessing.”

Ace chuckled. “I think this is the part where Fox is looking for an acknowledgement of his superior IT skills.”

Fox simply rolled his eyes. “I’ll let you guys know when we find something. It can take a few hours.”

“We can’t just sit around and twiddle our thumbs in the meantime,” Jack said.

Ace cast him a look. “Then let’s get all our gear ready so we’re prepared when we get a location. Since we have no idea how often they move their facility, we might only get a short window of opportunity.”

“Yeah, that’s what worries me too,” Jack agreed. He hated sitting around doing nothing.

Jack followed Ace out of the computer room. They crossed the foyer, and Jack heard voices coming from the kitchen. Lilly was talking to Michelle and Phoebe.

“I haven’t thanked you yet for taking us in,” Jack said, while Ace opened a door and ushered him to follow down the stairs into the basement.

“You’re welcome. Tell you the truth, Phoebe likes the company. She was a reporter, you know, and used to be around a lot of people on a daily basis. Now it’s just me and her, and Fox and Michelle, but they’re normally not here all day and night.”

The basement was a massive room divided into several sections. Overhead fluorescent lights illuminated the space which was lined with large cupboards. It also housed a workbench, a large sink, and various machines.

“We have everything to make Molotov cocktails, pipe bombs, smoke bombs, and whatever else your heart desires.”

Jack gave an appreciative nod. “Totally beats my setup.”

“Let’s get to work.”

22

Lilly set the large table in the kitchen for a late lunch. She’d helped Phoebe with preparing sandwiches and a salad, while Michelle had gone to help Fox in the computer room. She’d sounded confident that they would soon be able to pin down a location of where Smith had set up the new facility after abandoning the warehouse in Great Falls, Virginia.

On a small TV mounted on the wall, a news program reported about the dead body found in the office park. They hadn’t been able to identify Deja yet, but Lilly knew that it would be only a matter of time, even though Jack had taken her wallet, phone, and keys.

“… according to police sources,” a reporter standing in front of Delta Labs said.

Lilly heard steps at the door and looked over her shoulder to see Ace and Jack enter.

The news reporter continued, “However, after the shooting on Wednesday at the same location, employees in this office park, which houses several pharmaceutical companies and laboratories, raise the question whether these attacks are aimed at the companies and their pricing practices, rather than at a specific person.”

“That’s a lucky twist,” Jack said, pointing to the TV.

“Nothing to do with luck,” Ace replied. “Phoebe still has contacts in the media. She dropped a hint to turn the investigation into a different direction.”

Jack walked up to Lilly and kissed her on the cheek. “You okay?”

“I will be.” As long as she didn’t dwell too long on all the things that could have happened had Jack not been able to take Deja out. “You guys must be famished.”

Phoebe entered the kitchen. Ace put an arm around her and kissed her, then put his hand on her stomach, and they exchanged a tender look.

Lilly turned away and caught Jack looking at her. His gaze was just as loving as the look Ace and Phoebe had exchanged. Her heart fluttered and she felt heat rush to her cheeks.

“Food, great!” Fox said from the door, as he and Michelle entered. He headed for the table and sat down. “I’m famished.” He loaded his plate with salad and a sandwich.