marriage work. Their relationship was why, no matter how infuriating Bradley had been over the years, Jason always knew the man was honestly invested in solving this case.
They were also what he hoped his future would look like. Jason didn't have any good examples of happily ever after in his life - except Bradley and Bethany. But, if they could do it, then Jason was damned sure that he and Zara could come close. They'd survived everything to get this far, after all.
Chapter 3
It took less than thirty minutes for Bradley to get everything he needed for a month on the road, and then they were headed back to Jason's place. Well, legally it was Murder's, and paid for until Zara graduated. On the way back, Jason called his fianc茅e and told her to pack for both of them for at least two weeks. Her squeal of excitement was loud enough to make Bradley laugh.
Then Jason had to call Deviant Games. Ok, so he called Dez. She promised that the guys wouldn't need a hotel. They were welcome to the warehouse rooms, her spare bedroom, or to stay with one of the devs. Bradley said he'd prefer the hotel, so Jason made arrangements for that, but he told Dez that Zara could pick for the two of them. It was kinda nice to have his clients excited to see him, though. It felt good.
No, it felt like coming home.
Maybe the reasons weren't good ones, but that didn't matter. They needed him, and he needed them. These people had taught him how to heal. They'd become his hope in the darkness of his life. Maybe the fact that this case had become so personal would look bad on his record, but Jason was done caring. He had to trust the men and women in the trenches with him, and the internet was still a wild and uncontrolled war zone.
The trip from Jason's apartment just off the UNY-N campus to Deviant's headquarters in Ohio took almost ten hours, including stops. The road trip was fun, though. When Bradley and Zara began singing to old 80s songs at the top of their lungs, it made the list of his best memories. That Crysis added his voice to the cacophony was the cherry on top.
They pulled into the drive for Deviant Games at five minutes after five on Friday evening. A dozen or more protestors stood on either side, held at a distance by the local police. But when the gates didn't automatically open, one man stepped up and tapped on the glass.
"Only authorized persons are allowed on property," the officer explained.
Bradley pulled out his badge and showed him. "We should be expected."
Jason tapped Bradley's shoulder. "Code for the gate is 1337."
The cop's eyes narrowed. "I guess you're authorized then, huh?"
"They called us," Bradley said while the cop typed in the code.
The gate immediately began moving. "Well, seems like you have access. I wasn't aware this was federal. Just some trespassing."
"Different case," Bradley assured him. The moment he started moving forward, he rolled his window back up and looked over at Jason. "How'd you know the code?"
"That's geek for 'leet,' which is slang for 'elite.' It's what Dez picked for herself. Kinda like a middle finger to everyone who's come at her." He shrugged. "Figured if it didn't work, we could call."
Zara leaned forward to poke her head between the seats. "You guys want me to wait here?"
"Nope," Jason told her. "You're in charge of the dog, and Dez knows you're coming." He pointed to a spot at the front. "Park there, Bradley. I have a feeling they'll make us move it."
"Just glad to get out of the driver's seat," Bradley said as he stopped and turned off the vehicle. "Let's go see what kind of mess they're dealing with this time."
When they got out of the truck, they didn't look like the typical FBI agents. Jason was wearing jeans and an Executive Pain shirt. Zara was dressed almost the same, but she had on shorts and a PsychoDreads shirt. Bradley, as stuffy as ever, was wearing slacks and a button-down shirt, but at least he'd lost the coat and tie.
Then there was Crysis. He'd lost his service vest about the time they left New York. Jason didn't see a reason for him to put it back on. The developers wouldn't care, and anyone who didn't know about his dog would hear quickly. He'd also keep Zara from feeling overwhelmed - or at least