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I rest my palm on the desktop and speak in a hushed voice. "Do you know how to sort through all of this data, Evan?"
"Afraid not. I design security systems. This is a wee bit out of my wheelhouse." He sits back in his chair and rubs his neck. "It's time to bring Grey Dixon into the discussion. I'll start the secure chat interface."
Whatever the bloody hell that means. But I trust Evan---and aye, even Errol---to get me what I need to track down Holden and not attract the attention of the MOD. Dinnae think they would appreciate what we're doing.
"The secure chat is online," Evan announces. "Now just let me ping Grey Dixon."
"What does he do for a living? I've only heard that it's very technical."
"Oh, aye, it is. Grey is a business intelligence analyst. Basically, he sorts through data to find out how best to help companies do better business." Evan shrugs. "I can't say I understand it completely. Grey explained it to me once, but I wasn't very interested, to be honest."
"Then how do you know he can help us?"
"Because I understand some of the skills that are required for a business intelligence analyst." He ticks them off on his fingers as he recites them. "Problem-solving. Critical thinking. Creativity. Data visualization and interpretation. Attention to detail. Programming skills. Data mining and modeling---"
"Aye, fine, I get the idea. Grey is very clever with computers."
Evan smirks. "You always have a way of boiling things down to the most essential elements."
"I assume that's a compliment."
"Of course it is." Evan glances at the screen, where some sort of notification has appeared. "Ah, yes, Grey is online. I only need to start up the video feed."
Evan taps keys on the computer keyboard.
Grey Dixon appears on the screen. He's much younger than I am, younger even than Errol and Evan. "Good morning. I hear you have a problem, Thane, and my skills might be useful. Happy to help."
"I appreciate that."
Errol returns from his chat with Odin with a conspicuous amount of dirt on his hands and shirt. He comes up behind Evan's chair, setting his hands on the back. "We need you, Grey, because Thane isn't smart enough to sort through the data packet on his own. Apparently, geospatial analysts are rather finicky. Can you unravel all of it for him?"
I am the least finicky person in the Highlands. Errol is being cheeky, as usual.
"Give me a moment," Grey says. "I'll get everything filed and alphabetized for you, Thane."
"Map data doesn't need alphabetizing."
"Can't hurt, can it?" Grey winks, then focuses on his computer. "I'm diving into the packet right now."
I narrow my gaze on Errol. "What were you doing outside?"
"Planting mini mines. You can thank me later."
Rebecca shuffles over to the desk too, slipping her arm around mine. I glance at her and manage a tight smile. She hoists herself up onto her toes to kiss my cheek.
Errol grins. Evan gives me a lopsided smirk.
Rebecca rubs her cheek against my upper arm.
Grey chuckles. "Getting cozy with your girl, eh? Can't blame you. She's a beautiful woman." He twists his head around to shout at someone behind him. "You'll never believe it, Jess. Thane Buchanan finally fell in love."
Why is that news worth broadcasting to his wife and everyone in this room?
Jessica Dixon comes up behind Grey's chair. She grins. "I'm so happy for you, Thane. Ooh, is that your girl right beside you?" She sits down on Grey's lap and rests a hand on her very pregnant belly. Then she waves at Rebecca. "Hello, I'm Jessica Dixon. Are you American too? Seems like all the men in the Highlands marry Americans."
The lass throws me a sideways glance before she responds to Jessica. "Yes, I am American. My son and daughter have jobs in England."
"Oh, how wonderful! You aren't far from your family."
