Hide and Seek - Lara Adrian Page 0,90

a suicide mission,” Nick assured him. “I have a way in. I’ve got Sheppard’s access card.”

“What?” Stingray’s eyes widened.

“Well, not his actual card, but all the data that I can imprint onto a blank card to get me into Langley.”

“That’s genius,” Stingray said.

“That’s stupid,” Ranger interrupted. “And I’ll tell you why: the CIA would have deactivated Sheppard’s access after his death.”

Nick grinned. “Yeah, they would have, but they couldn’t, because miraculously, right after Sheppard’s murder, somebody moved his access credentials to a hidden archive.”

Ranger’s chin dropped. “You?”

“Yours truly. Without the system administrators knowing where the data was stored, they couldn’t deactivate it. Sheppard’s access card is still there. And only I know where the credentials are hidden. All I need to do is hack in, pull down the data, alter it, and transfer it to a new card. Simple as that.”

“When you say alter it, what exactly do you mean by that?” Ranger asked curiously.

Nick motioned to his face. “I’m gonna have to replace Sheppard’s photo on file with mine.”

Stingray scratched his neck. “And you’re sure you can hack into their servers?”

Nick looked at Michelle who sat next to him in stunned silence. “Considering the one person who would have been able to stop me is now on our side, I don’t see a problem.” He squeezed her hand. “Right?”

“Piece of cake,” Michelle confirmed and looked at the other two Phoenix. “Besides, I’ll give him a hand.”

“Well, then, I guess we only have to discuss what you’ll do once you’re inside Langley. What do you need us to do?” Stingray asked pointing to himself and Ranger. “I’m afraid neither of us is a computer expert, but we can have your back.” He put his hand on his gun, stroking it.

“I’m afraid your little friend there will have to stay home for this mission,” Nick said, grinning. “But you can do something else for me. You can be my eyes and ears while I’m inside.”

Nick exchanged a look with Michelle, who nodded instantly, understanding what he meant.

“I can tap into the infrared security system so they can watch any movements,” Michelle confirmed.

Nick nodded. “Let’s set it up.”

19

Nick’s new friends made sure that they weren’t being followed. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Stingray stopped the van and looked over his shoulder.

“Get some rest. It’s going to be a tough day tomorrow.”

Nick nodded and reached for Michelle’s hand. She rose from her seat and allowed him to help her out of the van, before slamming the door shut and heading for an apartment building.

Michelle was silent when he unlocked the building door, then led her up to his apartment and ushered her in. She watched him as he flipped the deadbolt and set the chain.

She waited for him in the middle of the living room, arms crossed over her chest. She wanted answers, and truth be told, she was surprised that she’d waited so long. Well, maybe the fact that those two guys, Stingray and Ranger, had looked a little menacing had contributed to her artificial patience. Or maybe it had taken her a little longer to get over the shock of having had a gun pointed at her head and being locked up in a shed, before she could wrap her brain around what was going on.

Nick glanced at her from under his dark lashes, casting her an assessing look. “How are you doing?”

“Well, let’s see. Considering you threatened to kill me tonight and your new friends are a little overeager with their weapons, and the fact that you all seem to be in some deep shit with the CIA, not to mention that whole weird stuff about being psychic, I’m doing rather splendidly, I think.”

Nick took a few steps toward her, sighing. “I’m sorry, Michelle, but what happened tonight wasn’t something I was planning.”

“I can see that. What you were planning was to use me.”

He nodded, didn’t even refute her claim. “I did. But like I told you already tonight, sleeping with you wasn’t part of that plan.” He stretched his hand out and brushed his knuckles over her cheek.

She let it happen, the touch having an oddly calming effect on her. “I know you explained. It’s just a little hard to believe, particularly since it looks like there’s so much at stake for you and your friends.” Too much to really be concerned about the feelings of a woman. “So you were CIA? I’m sure they taught you not to let your feelings get in the way of