Cobb (Lighthouse Security Investigations #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,10

still as the retina scan took place. Adding his hand on a finger scanner, he waited until his digital prints had been taken before a door swung open and he entered the elevator. At the bottom, he entered a hallway with another door and once again went through the motions of the security systems.

Finally, he walked into the cavernous main room of LSI. He’d been working here for several years and always thought he would become accustomed to the interior of the caves, but they never failed to strike him as utterly awesome. The walls and ceilings were reinforced with steel beams and panels, and the concrete floor retained the original look of the cave. The room was sealed and environmentally protected and filled with computer equipment, tables, stations, wide screens, and specialized printers. Multiple doors opened from the room leading to weapons rooms, bunk rooms, a gym, and back stairs that led away from the lighthouse down toward the rocky shore.

Josh and one of the new Keepers, Knox, were at their stations, scrolling through the chatter coming in from the local, state, and national police monitors. Rank and his brother, Richard, were working security duty, sitting at a bank of monitors.

LSI was involved in designing and installing security for those needing something beyond run-of-the-mill systems. Mace subcontracted the monitoring of those cameras and systems, but a few of the Keepers would periodically check in to make sure the security was running properly.

Passing by Sylvie’s desk, Cobb winked. “I hear Bambi’s getting on your nerves.”

She laughed and rolled her eyes. “I’m perfectly happy for Horace to put up a fence, but I’d better not hear a gunshot that doesn’t involve the Keepers’ weapons practice.”

Babs, one of the Keepers, pointed her finger and made a firing motion. “I can take care of that for you, Sylvie.”

“That’s my babe. The Bambi killer.” Babs’ husband, Drew, laughed as he walked by, kissing the top of Babs’ head.

Sylvie gave a visible shudder. “Oh, you two,” she moaned, glaring at the fun-loving couple.

Babs shook her head, smiling. “Nah… I’m just kidding. I love the deer as well.”

Cobb walked to the counter where the industrial coffee maker sat. He may have caffeinated at home but felt the need for more. Josh liked it strong, and that worked for him. Pouring a mug full, he noticed Marge had made several large quiches and was thankful there was any left. Grabbing a plate, he helped himself to a slice, wolfing it down quickly.

Mace called the group together, and everyone made their way around the large circular table. As their group had grown in numbers their chairs barely fit, but the newcomers tended to sit back in deference to those who’d been Keepers since the beginning. But with Walker and Blake out of town on missions, they all managed to squeeze in.

“Walker is in Canada, keeping an eye on the situation with the Minotaurs.” He looked toward Clay and added, “He says he’s fine for now, but I told him you’re itching to get back up there to help. I’ll let you know if he needs you.”

The Canadian motorcycle gang had been dealing in drugs, and Clay’s fiancé had been caught in the crosshairs, saved when the Keepers rescued her when she’d been kidnapped. Cobb knew Clay would have no problem going up to work with Walker to help bring the gang down.

Continuing, Mace said, “Blake is in California, assisting the local FBI in a case involving one of our security clients.” He continued for several moments, allowing some of the Keepers to respond to questions and report on the cases they were working on.

Finally, he pinned Cobb with a stare and said, “Something new came in. Something I’d like to give to you because this is your skillset and geographic area of knowledge.”

“Okay, boss,” Cobb spoke without any hesitation. It never entered his mind to refuse. He’d taken every mission that came his way, and if Mace stated that he was the right person for the job, that was good enough for him.

“I talked to your father this morning.”

Nothing Mace could have said would have shocked Cobb more. Bolting up straight, his heart pounded at the thought that something had happened to his family. “What the fuck? Are they okay?”

Mace threw his hand up, rushing his assurances. “They’re fine. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize how that was going to sound. Your family is fine, but your father has an acquaintance that needs our help. He didn’t go straight

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