Page 43 of Desecrated Saints
“Tech support?” I repeat incredulously. “You don’t sound so sure.”
Theo clears his throat. “Among other things. I’m the techie.”
He releases Sadie’s hand and pulls a heavy backpack from his shoulders. We follow him to a table, remaining at a wary distance. Reaching inside his packed bag, Theo slides a laptop free, along with a zippered pouch. He casts Sadie a smile before tipping the contents out.
“It’s all here for you, like we discussed. Figured I’d hand deliver it.”
I gape at the pristine fake passport and ID that Sadie looks over, along with other forged documents that will grant her a whole new persona. She slowly checks the items, nodding her approval. Theo relaxes a little, his entire body geared towards her.
“Other things like forgery?” Kade enquires, his gun lowered for now.
Theo nods. “Perhaps.”
“He’s the best around.” Sadie stuffs the items into her duffel bag. “Theo joined the team around the same time as me. Three years ago. He’s the gearhead of the operation.”
“What precisely does this team do?”
“You haven’t told them?” Theo frowns.
Sadie avoids his gaze. “I thought I’d leave it to Hunter.”
“They need to be debriefed before then.”
Theo opens his laptop, and his fingers fly in a blur of movement, even faster than Kade’s impressive speed. When he turns the screen to face us, we study a terrifying slab of architecture. Carved from huge steel beams and slices of solid, tinted glass, the building is truly huge. I’m certain I’ve seen it in the news or on TV.
“I work for Sabre. We both do.”
The name is unfamiliar, but judging by Kade’s sharp intake of breath, it’s a big deal. Theo rubs the back of his neck, flustered from all the attention on him. I get the impression he doesn’t step into fieldwork that often.
“The private security firm?” Hudson guesses.
“My employer and his business partner started it seven years ago,” Theo answers. “We’re now one of the biggest security firms in England. We take on the most challenging cases. Serial killers, assassinations, corruption, conspiracies. You name it.”
“Conspiracies like Blackwood?” I suggest.
Theo spares me a curious look. “Sometimes.”
“Where do you fit into all of this?” Kade directs to Sadie.
“I was investigating alone,” Sadie says reluctantly. “I got sloppy and ended up in hot water. Hunter’s team found me. They took me in, trained me, gave me the chance to do things the right way. To find justice for”—she glances at the back room where Seven fled—“everything.”
Theo takes her hand and squeezes it, the pair sharing small smiles. My brain is struggling to keep up with this latest development. First, we learn that Sadie’s not only a double agent, but a mole inside of Blackwood via this mysterious firm. Now she’s screwing one of them? Colour me confused.
“I hear you’re meeting a dark-web contact?” Theo asks, anxiously fiddling with his shirt sleeve.
Kade nods, itching to pick the techie’s brain.
“Can I take a look at your firewalls, make sure it’s safe? I’ve had some dealings with online crooks.”
“Sure,” Kade agrees enthusiastically.
Theo beckons him over. They begin exchanging far too many overcomplicated words for me to keep up with. I bypass Sadie and head out back to where Seven disappeared. Beyond the thick, plastic sheet lies another low-lit room.
This one is a makeshift kitchen filled with several stained lunch tables. Seven’s lanky, scar-strewn body is hunched over at one. He’s breathing hard, a fine tremble seeming to run over him. I approach with tentative steps.
“Sev?”
“Go away, princess. I’m in no mood to talk.”