Page 14 of Unbearable Player
“Burning the midnight oil, boss? Or should I say the dawn oil?” Jake quipped, dropping into the chair across from Reid’s desk.
Reid’s lips quirked in a half-smile. Jake’s easy-going nature had always been a counterbalance to his own intensity. “Some of us actually like to get work done, Jake.”
Jake clutched his chest in mock offense. “You wound me, Reid. I’ll have you know I’ve been up for hours... planning our next paintball tournament.”
Reid rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “Glad to see you’re focusing on the important things. Now, if you’re done planning your war games, I could use your help on a real mission.”
Jake’s expression sobered immediately. “The prototype theft? Logan filled me in on the basics. What do you need?”
For the next hour, Reid and Jake pored over the information Reid had gathered. They compiled a list of potential suspects, cross-referencing names with known criminals in the gaming world. Jake’s street smarts complemented Reid’s analytical approach, and slowly but surely, a clearer picture began to emerge.
As they worked, Reid couldn’t help but notice Jake’s occasional knowing glances. Finally, he’d had enough. “Spit it out, Jake. What’s with the looks?”
Jake leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Oh, nothing. Just noticing how... invested you seem in this case. It wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain blonde game designer, would it?”
Reid’s shoulders tensed. “Brianne is a client, Jake. Nothing more.”
“Uh-huh. And I’m the Queen of England.” Jake’s grin widened. “Come on, Reid. I’ve known you since we were cubs. I haven’t seen you this worked up over a case - or a woman - in years.”
Reid opened his mouth to retort, but the sharp ring of his phone cut him off. Saved by the bell, he thought, reaching for the device.
“Parker,” he answered curtly.
“Mr. Parker, it’s Detective Martinez. I’ve got some information on that group you asked about - The Glitchers.”
Reid’s pulse quickened. “Go on.”
“They’re bad news, Mr. Parker. Responsible for at least a dozen high-profile game leaks in the past year alone. We’ve been trying to nail them for months, but they’re slippery. Always one step ahead.”
“Any leads on their current whereabouts?”
“Nothing concrete, but there’s chatter about a big sale coming up. Word is they’ve got their hands on something big - a game changer, if you’ll pardon the pun.”
Reid’s free hand clenched into a fist. Brianne’s prototype. It had to be. “Thank you, Detective. Keep me posted on any developments.”
As he hung up, Reid noticed Jake watching him intently. “The Glitchers?” Jake asked.
Reid nodded, quickly filling Jake in on the detective’s information. Jake let out a low whistle. “Sounds like we’re dealing with some serious players. What’s the plan, boss?”
Reid’s mind raced, formulating strategies and discarding them just as quickly. “We need to infiltrate their operation. Find out where they’re keeping the prototype and when this sale is going down.”
Jake grinned, a reckless excitement lighting up his features. “Undercover work? Now you’re speaking my language. I’ve always wanted to be a dashing cyber-criminal.”
Reid couldn’t help but smile at his friend’s enthusiasm. “Down, boy. We need to be smart about this. One wrong move and we could spook them - or worse, put Brianne in danger.”
At the mention of Brianne’s name, Jake’s eyebrows shot up, but for once, he refrained from commenting. Instead, he leaned forward, all business now. “All right, what’s our first move?”
For the next few hours, Reid and Jake hashed out a plan. They would start by infiltrating known hacker hangouts, posing as potential buyers interested in The Glitchers’ latest acquisition. Reid would work his contacts in the security world while Jake would leverage his more... colorful acquaintances in the city’s underground.
As they finalized the details, Reid found his thoughts drifting to Brianne. He should call her and update her on their progress. The memory of her voice filled with determination even in the face of loss, sent a warmth through his chest that he chose not to examine too closely.
“Earth to Reid,” Jake’s voice broke through his musings. “You planning on calling your girl anytime soon?”
Reid shot him a glare. “She’s not my-” He caught himself, sighing. He wasn’t ready to tell anyone else anything just yet. “Yes, I’m going to call Brianne. She deserves to know what we’ve found out.”
Jake’s smirk was knowing, but he mercifully kept any further comments to himself. As Reid reached for his phone, Jake stood, stretching. “I’ll set things up for our little undercover operation tomorrow. If you see her, try not to spend the whole day making googly eyes at each other over the phone, okay?”
A pen flew across the room, barely missing Jake’s head as he ducked out, laughing. Reid shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. Sometimes he wondered why he put up with Jake’s antics. Then he remembered all the times that Jake had his back, all the tight spots they’d gotten out of together. There was no one he trusted more in the field.