AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. I was there, remember?”
“Any idea how he knows Miss Williams?”
“She said he does business with her father. The old man introduced them.”
“That fits in with what we found, hey, Kyle?” Gage said around a mouthful of food.
“Yeah?” Spencer glanced up at his team leader, scowling. “What’s that?”
“We have reason to believe Coran’s more deeply involved with the SHEEPSKIN network than we first speculated,” Kyle said.
“How?”
“From the codes Hayley’s deciphered on the e-readers so far, their main purpose is to act as some kind of message system—to infect these cells, then alert interested parties to their whereabouts.”
“Wait. You mean SHEEPSKIN is actually intended to destroy the terrorists?”
“Seems that way,” Gage said, popping another grape into his mouth. “Even if they go about it in a twisted way, without any thought to the collateral damage—like those schoolkids.”
Scotty sank down into the other armchair next to the divan. “And if the publishing company has direct oversight of which books go on which e-readers, then—”
“Then Coran Williams could be the mastermind behind it all,” Kyle finished. “Maybe SHEEPSKIN isn’t a network—maybe it’s a person.Hecould be SHEEPSKIN.”
Spencer dropped his head back against the chair and stared at the mosaic ceiling. “Wow. I guess he’d have the resources for something like this. What’s his motive, though?”
“His political views have always been overtly patriotic. He likes to brag in interviews about his work as a defense contractor. Of late, he’s turned into a real martyr when it comes to his causes. Practically bleeds red, white, and blue,” Kyle said. “Wouldn’t take much to push a man like that over the edge.”
“Huh.” Spencer closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Maybe that’s why he’s gone into hiding. Maybe he’s gone underground to focus on his priorities. Coordinating a bombing of school buildings isn’t exactly something you want out in the open, right?”
“Putrid thing is, he probably thinks what he’s done is okay. I’m sure he justifies it as acceptable losses.” Scotty shook his head. “Man, can you imagine having that guy for your dad?”
“No,” Spencer said, a fleeting image of the text he’d found on Toni’s phone flickering through his mind. He hadn’t had a chance to ask her about it yet, but he would. She might still be talking to her father, but he refused to believe she’d take part in his heinous activities, no matter how supposedly noble the end goal. “I doubt Toni’s got any idea, though.”
“Any idea about what?” she said, coming into the room with her hand extended toward Kyle. “Hello, I’m Toni Williams. I don’t believe we’ve met.”
10
“Kyle Matthews,” the tall, black-haired man said. His grip was firm and confident, though a hint of wariness lurked in his hazel eyes. Based on the conversation she’d half overheard, Toni guessed he must be Spencer’s esteemed team leader.
“Nice to meet you.” She gave a weak smile and did her best to control the tremor in her hands, then turned her attention to the other two men nearby. The first one stood and introduced himself as Gage. He was a few inches taller than Spencer, and bulkier.
“And I’m Scotty Devonshire,” the last man said, flashed her a dazzling smile. “I’m sure Spencer has told you all about me.” Spencer hadn’t actually mentioned him much, but from the top of this guy’s buzz-cut blond hair to the tips of his black combat boots, he was every inch the debonair flirt. Still, his eyes didn’t scan her body, and they held more friendly warmth than intent, so she got the sense that the flirting was mostly just joking around or maybe a long-ingrained habit. She thought she recalled Spencer saying something about Scotty having a girlfriend. Gage, too, if she was remembering right. “Hope my best bud here is treating you well.”
Toni glanced sideways at Spencer, only to find him frowning darkly. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was jealous. But that would be ridiculous, right? Sure, they’d had sex at the oasis, but she hadn’t expected more beyond that point. In the limo afterward, on the phone with his team, he’d been sure to emphasize that their relationship was strictly business. She cleared her throat and smoothed a hand down the front of the pink T-shirt and jeans she’d changed into. “Yes. Spencer’s been most helpful since he hired on as my bodyguard.”
Gage snorted and resumed his seat on the divan. “That’d be a first, then.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he’s enjoying this job,” Scotty said, chuckling as he settled back into his armchair.
Beside her, Spencer snarled, “Watch it.”
“What?” Scotty raised a brow, his expression amused.
“You heard me.” Spencer stared at his friend.
“You think I’m scared of you, bro?” Scotty chuckled. “We can settle this outside, right here, right now.”
“Anytime.” Spencer stood, practically bristling with testosterone. “Bring it.”
