Technical Threat (Westin Force #4) - Julie Trettel Page 0,13

even though I knew we wouldn’t get the bulk of the data until we were on the plane. It could be a few days or even a week or more before I could see her again.

“Yeah, sure, Nonna. I’m on my way.”

When the elevator doors opened on my floor, I punched the button for ground level and rode it back down without even getting off.

It wasn’t a long drive to Nonna’s. My head was in a million other places as I left the Lodge and headed to her house.

The familiar smells when I walked through her front door without even knocking relieved some of the stress I’d been harboring.

“Caleb? Is that you?”

“Yes, Nonna.”

“Well, come on back. I’m taking the soup off now. You’re just in time.”

We sat at the table in a peaceful silence, as she dished big bowls of hearty soup. If I’d come for a planned dinner, then I was certain there would have been a small party in attendance including at least one eligible she-wolf. She was always predictable when it came to her planned dinners no matter how much she tried to tell me she just wanted to spend time with her favorite grandson, there were almost always ulterior motives.

These impromptu meals were what I preferred. She didn’t have time to make arrangements and in truth I actually enjoyed spending time with her—most of the time.

“I can tell you’re having a bad day. Are you worried about this mission?” she asked.

“No, it’s not that. I had a huge lead on this cyber hacker that’s been terrorizing our systems. Silas said I could skip the team mission and go check out this lead but only if I have a partner with me. The thing is he even opened it up for me to bring just about anyone with the exception of our unit, but just my luck, everyone else is busy this week. I literally can’t find one single person capable of riding along and making a phone call in the case of an emergency.”

“That’s it? That’s your only requirement? No guns or super sleuth or that computer stuff you do?”

“No, he just doesn’t want me to go alone. That’s it.”

“And you can’t find anyone willing to do that?”

“No. Trust me, I’ve tried.”

“Well, if those are the only requirements, then what time do we hit the road?”

“What?”

“I love a good road trip, Caleb, and I am fully capable of making a phone call.”

I laughed and then thought about it. “That was the only requirement Silas said I needed.”

“Well how about it? You and your Nonna taking down this cyber jerk.”

I laughed. “Nonna, I appreciate the offer, but I’m not sure Silas will go for it and I’m not certain it’s the best idea either. It’s in Idaho. We’d be on the road for days.”

“Woohoo! This sounds fabulous. The most excitement I’ve had in ages. Let me just pack my bags. About a week you say?”

“Nonna, I have to clear this with Silas first.”

“If he gives you a hard time, you just pass the phone to me.”

She was off and practically skipping down the hall to her bedroom before I even realized what had just happened.

Whether my leader said yes, or no wasn’t the issue anymore. There was no way the guys were going to let me live this down after hearing Nonna was coming to my rescue for a mission.

“Do you think I’ll need a bathing suit?” she yelled. “You know, never mind. I’ll pack it just in case.”

With a groan, I picked up the phone and called Silas. I wanted to take this guy down bad enough that I was willing to accept her help if it got me there.

“Did you actually find someone?” he asked with a hint of humor in his voice. I suspected he had something to do with everyone turning me down so quickly, but I wasn’t going to let him know I had already figured it out, especially since Nonna had given me the perfect way to get him back anyway.

“A partner that can drop everything and road trip to Idaho with the capability of picking up a phone and calling you in case of an emergency, right?”

“Yup, pretty simple, right?”

“Yes sir.”

“You didn’t find anyone, did you?” he asked. I could practically hear him gloating.

“Actually, I did.”

“What? You did? Who?”

“Nonna’s going with me. She’s packing now. Willing to drop everything and go? Check. Capable of placing a phone call? Check and Checkmate.”

I heard a series of expletives under his breath. “You’re