A Secret to Shatter by Katie O’Connor

Chapter Twenty-Three

Honey kissed Ira goodbye and scrambled into her apartment. Ditching her shoes at the door, she flipped on her computers to get started. All of them

Her second bedroom was fashioned into an office. She had five powerful desktop computers and her own server. There were ten monitors of varying sizes. She turned the air conditioner to high to combat the heat generated by all the equipment. She kept her personal laptop, one she never used for business, in the desk drawer.

She knew her computers were monitored by CSIS and the military. She wasn’t under any illusion her personal laptop was any different, but there was no sense in making her personal life any easier to access. She knew enough about computers to make stalking her more difficult.

She rushed back to the kitchen to turn on the kettle, then into her bedroom to change into sweats and a T-shirt. This was going to be a long session. She had at least three dozen chat rooms to visit before compiling her information and sending it to her boss.

“I shouldn’t have been dating. Dammit. I knew something was up. I should have put the clues together long before now.”

She tossed a teabag into her mug and sprinted back to her office with a bowl of sliced fruit and a napkin.

Using multiple computers and multiple monitors, she opened every chat room she visited and started snooping around. Casual conversation with people she’d interacted with for months, and in some cases years. She flipped back and forth between tabs and windows, checking out the action in two dozen chats.

On her fifth computer, she started compiling information as she learned it, adding the data to the information she’d sent on just yesterday.

“Why did I listen when they told me to let it ride? I knew better. I saw something coming. I just didn’t know what,” she mumbled to herself. Tawny stroked her ankles and Buster hopped up on the desk. “Down boy.” She set him back on the floor.

Her cell phone rang.

Cameron.

She was dreading this moment.

“Hey, Cam.”

“Dalton. Give me an update,” he barked.

“Nothing. I’m not seeing anything. The rooms are silent. That tells me there’s more coming.” He grunted his agreement and she rattled off her logic, sticking to facts, and accurate analysis as she’d been trained to do.

Cam asked dozens of questions before instructing her to keep looking and keep him posted. She signed off and resumed searching. She didn’t have enough proof yet, but she was certain she knew where to find at least two of the men pictured on the news.

She lurked in the chat they used most often, making random conversation with regulars and cautious chat with newcomers. Newcomers presented a possible danger. They could be regular people, but they might be terrorist sympathizers, terrorists, or terrorist hit men in search of government agents like Honey. It took time to feel out newbies and learn their alliances.

Four hours later, her phone rang again.

Ira.

“Honey, I’m outside with your car keys. Are you home? You aren’t answering your buzzer.”

“Crap. Sorry. I was sidetracked. I’ll buzz you in.” She scooped the cats up and left her office, closing the door behind her. She knew Ira was already curious about her sudden departure. No sense adding fuel to his imaginary fire. Okay, maybe not imaginary.

Two minutes later he stood in her doorway. Tall, handsome, his face wrapped in concern. Dang, she was falling for him and his kind heart.

“Are you okay? Is your friend okay?” He reached out to stroke her hair before handing her the keys.

“I’m good. I talked to Cam. Everything will be okay. He overreacted. I overreacted.” She shrugged. “There’s something about a friend who might be in danger which freaks you out, you know?”

Ira squinted and stuffed his hands into his jean’s pockets. “Copy that.”

She smiled at his casual use of the military slang for I understand.

He continued, “Nothing like a comrade in arms in danger to kick in the old instincts.”

Despite his agreement, she recognized his unease and unspoken questions. She was going to have to confess her job before they moved their relationship any further. Ira would have to be vetted, of course. But that shouldn’t be a problem with his military history. She hoped.

“Can I have a hug?” she asked, suddenly needing to be back in his arms and in his good graces. For the first time in a long time, she wished she could walk away from her job. It was starting to endanger her sanity and her heart.

It was never easy to do, cozying up to terrorists and potential threats. Pretending to be on their side. Fueling their issues to get them to open up and confess plans and potential plots. Her anonymity was secure, she was physically safe, and her heart and mind knew what she did was important. But if it could cost her this man, cost her Ira, she was done.

“Come here, sweetheart.” He wrapped his arms around her and she burrowed into his chest, absorbing his heat, reveling in his fresh clean scent. He’d showered since she left him. She rested her head on his chest and took comfort in the steady beating of his heart.

This was where she wanted to be. This was home. He was her home, and her heart.

“That’s a big sigh. Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need anything?”

The warmth and kindness in his voice was nearly her undoing. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. “I’m good. Cam’s going to check in again in a while. I can’t wait for you to meet him. You’ll like him. He’s a good guy. Kind of a father figure to me. Until then, I figured I’d get back after the work I’ve been neglecting while spending time with you.” That part was only half true. She’d been spending time with him, but not neglecting her work. She’d been staying up late and getting up early just to fit everything in. It was starting to wear on her, which was why when Cam suggested she back off for a few days, she’d agreed, even though she was certain it was a mistake. A mistake which would haunt her if anyone died as a result of the attacks.

“I’m looking forward to meeting someone this important in your life. Knowing your family, adopted, real, or just of the heart, is important to me, just like you knowing my extended family is. I hope you know that.”

“I do. I adore your family. I adore you,” she whispered the last, half afraid to scare him away if his feelings weren’t as strong as hers.

“I adore you too.”

Not exactly a declaration of undying love, but good enough. She smiled up at him and kissed his chin. “I should get back to it. Are we still on for dinner on Tuesday?”

“I’d rather it was tonight,” he grumbled. “But Tuesday will do. I’ll pick you up at six. Does that work with your two jobs?”

“It does. Thank you for being so accommodating. I appreciate it.”

Their lips met in a caring, compassionate kiss which had the power to distract her from her tasks. Only the sure knowledge that lives depended on her research enabled her to move away from him.

She squeezed him tight and stepped back. “I have to get back to it,” she repeated her earlier assertion. “You should go, before I lose my resolve and take you to bed.” She winked, though she wasn’t teasing. She needed him. Physically, emotionally, mentally.

“Don’t tempt me.” He grinned lewdly and backed toward the still open door. “Later. I promise you’ll get what you want.” He winked, pivoted on his heel and jogged down the hallway.

She fanned herself with her hand, pulled the door shut and retreated to the office where the air conditioning could cool her overheated libido.