Page 44 of Shadow Redemption
He inclined his head toward the notepad. “Make your list. We’ll run the names.”
Ruth freed her hand from Ben’s to make the list. According to her agent, four other models were joining her for the Casa del Mar photoshoot. Any of them could be a potential threat. Or not. She hated for Shadow to invade their privacy if they were innocent.
On the other hand, if one of these models was responsible for the black roses and strawberries, he or she might do something even more risky that could hurt Ben. She couldn’t allow what was happening to her to cause him harm.
She slid the pad of paper back to Nico. “Other models may be on site. These are the ones my agent mentioned. They are chief rivals for most of my jobs, though.”
“Then it’s a good bet if a model is responsible for part of your trouble, one of them is to blame.” Nico scanned the list. “We’ll divide up the names and dig into the background of each model. The jet leaves in two hours. Don’t be late.” He dispersed assignments to each member of Shadow. “Ruth, we’ll do our research and discuss our findings when we’re in the air. You can add your insights then. The rest of you, check your gear bags and replenish whatever you need. Pack heavy. We don’t have many friends where we’re going.”
Aside from Ben, the operatives exited the conference room, leaving Ruth alone with him. “Are we going back to the weapons vault?”
He smiled. “In a few minutes. I want to check in with Zane first.” Ben stood and tugged Ruth to her feet. He led her from the conference room to the communications center at the opposite end of the hallway.
Zane manned the center alone. Several computer screens were lit up, data scrolling on one, maps of different locations on two others, and yet a fourth screen had some kind of tracking system engaged.
Ruth scanned the room, awed by the amount of electronics housed inside the four walls. Now she understood why Zane Murphy was known as the communications guru and tech wizard for Fortress.
Zane spun his wheelchair around to face them. “How are you, Ruth?”
“Becoming an old pro at handling adrenaline dump.”
He chuckled. “Let’s hope you’ve experienced the last one for a while. What do you need, Ben?”
“Information and a phone for Ruth.”
Zane zoomed across the room to a cabinet. He opened one of the steel doors and reached inside for a phone plus a cover.
“I have a cell phone, Ben.” She looked at him. “It’s brand new.”
“This one is better. We use satellite phones that are heavily encrypted. No one will be able to eavesdrop on your conversations or intercept your messages.” He brushed a soft kiss on her mouth, sending fire shooting along her nerve endings. “It’s the only way I’ll be able to communicate with you while I’m deployed.”
Did that mean he wanted to text and talk to her while he had downtime on his missions? She hoped so. She missed him like crazy when he was gone. “All right.”
Relief gleamed in his eyes. “Thank you.” He turned to Zane. “What cover did you find for her?”
“Something I hope she enjoys.” He handed the covered phone to Ruth.
She flipped it over and burst into laughter. Zane had found a glittery cover with different kinds of dolls scattered over the surface. This was perfect, especially in light of what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. The choice made her wonder if Zane Murphy knew more than he let on about her future plans. “I love it. Thank you, Zane.”
“My pleasure.” He looked pleased with her response to his choice.
“Any news on the truck?” Ben asked.
“Stolen from Mt. Juliet. The police report it’s been wiped down so no usable prints. And, of course, the area where they dumped the truck didn’t have any security cameras or traffic cams I could tap into.”
“When will Jon and Eli be cut loose from the cops?”
“Not for a while. They were able to talk to the boss for a minute. He’s waiting for you in his office.”
When they arrived at his outer office, Brent’s assistant waved them on without announcing them. Ben knocked on the door and guided Ruth inside.
The Fortress CEO waved them to the chairs in front of his desk while he wrapped up a phone call. When he replaced the handset on the cradle, Brent studied Ruth a moment. Seeming satisfied with what he saw, he glanced at Ben. “I talked to Wolfe and Smith. You have a problem.”
A snort. “Only one? Must be a slow day in the terrorist business.”
“This problem is an old one.”
He froze. “How old?”