head that way with him. Bradley moved to follow, but Jason sent him a look, all but begging him to make sure their friends didn't do anything that would have the plug pulled on them before they were ready.
"Sorry, ma'am," he said as they reached the living room. "We've been at this every waking hour since Monday. They have to get to work in the morning, so are racing the clock. Sit. Can I get you a drink?" He headed to the fridge and pulled it open.
"What's in there?" she asked.
"Beer, hard cider, something clear that I wouldn't trust, a little water, soda, and about a dozen energy drink options."
"Hard cider," she said. "And get a beer for yourself. It was a long flight and I just want to stretch my legs out."
But the moment she was on the couch, Crysis was back at her side, sitting to beg for his attention. "You can pet him," he assured her. "He's not in his vest. I mean, he's still working, but he's learned that when he's vestless, it means he can also be a dog at the same time. He also eats people food, will fetch anything you throw, and is a general pain in the ass if you let him be." Reaching the couch, he popped the top off her cider and offered the bottle.
"Thanks," she breathed. "Do I want to know how we're affording the room, let alone the damage fee for what you're all doing in there?"
"Well, since the man who owns the hotel is not only in that room but also the one who set it all up, we're fine." He opened his own beer and sat down. "Adam Degrass, known as IceMan, is one of my confidential informants. So is his new fianc茅e, Kate Gaskill, known as Lithium. She's one of the company's executives."
"I recognize the names," Alex admitted, "but the reference images I have look like no one in there."
"Just ask and they'll tell you. Also, do not expect anything close to professionalism or respect from them, until you've earned it. That will be on a person by person basis. They don't play by the rules you're used to."
"And yet they all looked to you," she pointed out. "So, I guess this means that you're running the show now, not Bradley?"
Jason sighed and leaned over his knees. "Ma'am - "
"Alex," she reminded him. "I even dressed for the occasion."
"And Everquest was a good game," he assured her, commenting on her shirt. "Ask Dez if you can see her tattoo for it. Then find the scar in it."
"That's the woman who doesn't touch, right?"
Jason nodded. "She's also running the show, along with Riley 'QQ' Andrews and Mark Yager from Deviant. Those people work as a democracy, Alex. They will bicker and fight for their stance, they will work it out, and they will push each other until they find what they need. It's complete and total chaos, usually with a lot of alcohol and profanity involved, but they are damned good people."
Alex shifted to scratch the top of Crysis's head. "How are you doing, Agent Raige?"
"We have it narrowed down to eight people currently entered in the tournament. Chance's dating profile skills..." He lifted a hand. "Don't ask, but it works. He believes that Soul Reaper will register early to make sure he gets in. Um, I have a group of people in Texas working the data, and they have traced the records of online advertising to someone in California, specifically the San Jose area. Combined with speech patterns in the text, social media statements, and connections to each other, those eight can't be ruled out, but we have to consider that we could be missing something." Then he looked up and met her eyes. "Why are you here?"
"The Assistant Director doesn't like the idea of a known threat being ignored. He wants us to shut down this event for the protection and safety of everyone involved. I'm here to make sure that the women specifically listed in this threat are aware that the threat is not only real, but that we do not have the means to arrest a suspect before the event starts."
"Zara, Rhaven, Dez, Riley, and Kate," Jason said. "The five women he listed on Twitter."
She nodded. "Also, my being here means that it's one less step for you to get approval for what you need."
Jason lifted his beer and took a long drink. He liked Alex. He respected her, too. Every time