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“That’s Blackpoint Beach at The Sea Ranch further up the coast,” Jared said as he studied the picture.
“How do you know?” Knox leaned forward to stare at him.
“Because he owns a beach house there,” Kezlin interjected.
“I managed to obtain copies of the deed. It’s like Hannah said. The property was registered in her name. Bastian must’ve forged her signature since she’s registered as the sole owner.” Jordan pointed at the last photo. “Now that mansion is in Malibu Colony Beach in Los Angeles. Hannah is also registered as the sole owner of the property.”
“That’s a damn expensive house to stand empty for the past couple of years,” Paxton said thoughtfully. “Do you have any current satellite images of these two properties?”
“I hacked into the live big brother eye overhead. Check this out.” Jordan opened the app on her iPad and with a flick of her wrist a satellite image appeared on the monitor. “I recorded this yesterday afternoon.” She zoomed in on a silver sports car pulling into the driveway of the house at The Sea Ranch. “It’s our Swiss model, Mia Kunz,” she said, smugly. “I think we can safely say that Mrs. Conti’s suspicions have been confirmed. That woman is definitely Bastian’s lover.” She fast-forwarded until a black SUV arrived at the house. The passenger— Bastian Conti. “He didn’t leave until eight this morning.”
“What about the one in Malibu Colony?” Jared leaned his elbows on the desk as he studied the satellite image Jordan pulled up. He seemed tense but his expression didn’t change.
“There seems to be a full-time gardener and two housekeepers who live on the property. As you can see, it’s furnished and well cared for.” Jordan looked at the monitor. “I’m trying to hack into the system...” She glanced at Jared. “Which you didn’t hear me just say,” she said with a frown.
His lips curved into a ghost of a smile. He seemed distracted. “You won’t get past their firewall. I suggest you phone Cruz and ask him to help you get into NASA’s real time system. He knows all the backdoors into every satellite and storage system they operate.”
Jordan’s eyes lit up at the prospect of getting her hands-on Cruz’s spaceship-like console. “I’ll do that.” She looked at Paxton. “If it’s okay with you.”
“Of course. The quicker we get some answers, the sooner Hannah Conti can find out why her husband linked her name to a house like that or the one in Sea Ranch.” Paxton paged through the documentation containing all the intel Jordan had been able to gather on the Conti couple.
“My gut instinct tells me there’s more to the house in Malibu Beach,” Knox mused. “He had to have bought it with a purpose in mind. We need to find out what that was.”
“If we can get into NASA’s stored imagery, we might be able to pull up historical recordings. They usually store up to twelve months’ worth. If there was anyone at that house during that time, Cruz and Jordan should be able to find it,” Jared said.
“Good. Jordan, get hold of Cruz asap.” Jordan eagerly jumped up. “Before you go, is Miss Kunz still in the house at The Sea Ranch?” Paxton asked.
Jordan’s fingers raced over her iPad as she typed in a command. “Yes, the car is still there. Let me zoom in to the pool area... ah, yes. She’s sunbathing.” She gestured to the monitor. “I’ll leave the links open so you can keep track of her movements. Kezlin knows how to operate the system.” She waved as she exited the room. “See you later.”
Jared got up and stretched lazily. “What do you want me to do, Mrs. Lee?”
“You and I are going to your beach house. Don’t you think it’s the neighborly thing to do to introduce ourselves to a new tenant?”
“It’s a two-hour drive, Paxton.”
“Did I imagine that black Sikorsky S-97 chopper in the hangar above The Cobra’s operation bunker, Commander Bates?”
“You didn’t. I’ll check with Brock if it’s been returned. The FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team used it. But Tanner could use some additional hours of pilot training.”
“Well, let’s help him add some hours to his logbooks, Commander. What better way to bone up on the flight controls than a quickie up the coast? I hear that thing has some serious grunt. I just happen to have my flight suit in the trunk of my car. What’re we doing standing around jaw-waggin’? Let’s boot.”
Bates looked at his watch. There were eight hours until the sun was a hand’s breadth above the horizon.
“When was the last time you hot-roped out of a chopper, Mrs. Lee? He cocked his head and smiled at her. “Bring your tactical kit. I’m guessing you could use a refresher course. Let’s log this as an air-assault training mission.”
“Not that I’m not up for it but do we really want to draw that much attention to our arrival?”
He laughed at her expression. “You need to learn when I’m pulling your leg, Mrs. Lee. I’ll pilot and we’ll land at a private airfield. I’m ready. Let’s do it.” He didn’t wait for an answer and strode out of the boardroom.
“I’ll meet you at your house. That way I can go straight home once we return,” Paxton called after him.
He reappeared in the doorway. “Let’s go, Paxton. We’re burning daylight. If you insist on driving your own car, I’ll follow you.”
Paxton thought better than to snap back at him. She had accepted his protection. He’d set up a security team who had invaded their offices and kept guard all day long. It was senseless to keep balking against being protected.
“Knox, I want you and Kezlin to dig deeper into Mia Kunz. I want to know everything about her. Start at her birth and work your way forward. I want the names of every person, family, friends, enemies in her past and present life.”
“Is it really necessary to go that far? She’s a model. If you ask me, she’s sleeping with him to break into acting.” Kezlin looked at the monitor. “Or she’s after his money. Take your pick.”
