LITMIR.BIZ

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up from there. “Which means someone with clout in the government has a stake in that data and probably doesn’t want it exposed.”

      “So we can’t just turn it over,” Nicole concluded.

      “We have to decrypt the data.” Thomas glanced across at Valdez then back at Steele. “I’m not an IT guy.”

      Valdez held up his hands in surrender. “I know my way around hardware, but Geek’s the one I go to for software. The guy’s a wizard at hacking passwords, data encryption and decryption.”

      Nicole sighed. “That leaves it to me. I had some training in military intel, but it’s been a while. So many things have changed, gotten more complicated and semifoolproof.”

      “If you can break the code, it might reveal who in the government is determined to see the data deep-sixed.”

      Nicole pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’ll take time.”

      “You’ll need a place to hide out,” Valdez said.

      Her hand dropped to her lap and she gave a wan smile. “That’s why I’m here. Cape Churn is like falling off the map.”

      Kayla McGregor laughed softly. “Then why do we manage to attract serial killers, terrorists and relatives of drug lords?”

      “I don’t know. It seems like such a nice little town,” Emma added.

      Valdez squeezed Nicole’s hand reassuringly. “The main thing is to lie low while you’re working the data.”

      “First things first.” Nicole ran a hand through her hair. “I could use a shower and a bed. If I could, I’d sleep until the problem went away.”

      “Sorry, we need you on it.” Thomas glanced across at Valdez then back at the woman they called Tazer. “We’ll run interference the best we can, but you’ll have to break the code so that we can take the information to the right people and possibly get Royce and Geek out of hot water.”

      Thomas nodded toward Molly. “You can stay in a room at the B and B.”

      Molly’s lips twisted. “Except I have a group coming in for a wedding. It’ll be anything but private and there will be too many people around. Not to mention all the rooms will be full.”

      “You could stay at our little bungalow, but the renovations on the spare bedroom aren’t complete and you’d have to sleep on the couch.”

      “All my bedrooms are full at the lighthouse cottage,” Kayla offered. “It would be a couch there, too, and it’s exposed to the windows.”

      “I’d sleep anywhere with a pillow.” Nicole leaned against the wall.

      Emma grinned. “I know the perfect place. It’s quiet, secluded and no one would think to look for you there.”

      With frown, Dave braced himself, intuition telling him he wasn’t going to like what Emma had to say next. “Where did you have in mind?”

      “The answer to the perfect place to hide.” She turned to face him. “Why doesn’t she stay here? What do you say, Dave?”

      All gazes turned toward Dave. “Why can’t she stay at one of the hotels in town?”

      Valdez shook his head. “Too public.”

      “She could rent a vacation cottage,” he offered.

      “They’re all full,” Molly said. “The wedding guests took over a lot of them and most of the hotel rooms.”

      Dave crossed his arms. “She’s not staying here.”

      “But it makes sense. If she needs to get out of town, why not go by boat?” Emma continued to grin, making Dave’s teeth grind.

      “No.” He shook his head. “Besides, haven’t you heard of sitting ducks? A boat is easy to spot in the water.”

      Nicole glanced around, her brows rising. “I seriously doubt this old boat’s engines even work.”

      Dave glared at Tazer. “The engines work great. I refurbished them first, now I’m working on the cosmetics.”

      Valdez chuckled. “Sorry, Dave, but it is a good solution. If the people who are looking for her get close, you can head out to sea at night.”

      “She’s not staying,” Dave insisted.

      “I can’t sleep on Kayla’s couch. I won’t put the baby and your son at risk.” Nicole laid her head on the table. “Frankly, I’m ready to climb into a cardboard box and sleep on the street.”

      The room went silent as she laid still. Her eyes were closed, the dark circles more pronounced in the soft glow of light from overhead.

      A knot of guilt churned in Dave’s gut until finally he said, “Fine. She can stay here.” He didn’t know what came over him to open his big fat mouth and offer her a place to stay. But now that it was out there, he couldn’t take it back. And as much as he valued his privacy, he didn’t want to take it back.

      The woman could barely stand on her own two feet. If she didn’t get some rest, she’d fall flat on her face. That and the fact he’d nearly killed her.

      “One night. She can stay one night. Tomorrow you have to come up with another plan.”

      Emma’s brows crooked upward. “That’s really noble of you, Dave. You sure it won’t put you out too much? I mean, this being the lap of luxury and all.” She winked.

      “Don’t push it, Emma.” Dave glared at his friend. “This place looks like hell on the outside for the sole purpose of keeping people from dropping by.”

      “Oh, honey.” Emma laughed. “It’s working.”

      “Which is perfect.” Valdez clapped his hands together. “If possible, it’s the ugliest boat at the marina.”

      “I wouldn’t say ugly,” Dave defended. It was his home, after all. “It’s my boat and I like it the way it is.”

      Emma’s lips twitched. “Trust me, Dave, it’s ugly.”

      He shrugged and glanced at Tazer. “Suit yourself.”

      Nicole’s head came up. “Does it have electricity?”

      He nodded. “And running water.”

      “Hot?” she asked hopefully.

      Again he nodded.

      “Sounds like heaven.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I’ll stay. Tomorrow I’ll retrieve my motorcycle. I need to be able to bug out if I’m discovered.”

      Now that he was committed to putting her up for the night, Dave said, “I’ll take care of it for you.”

      “Where’s the shower?” Nicole yawned, covering her mouth.

      “The head’s through that door.” Dave motioned toward a narrow wood-paneled door.

      Emma clucked her tongue. “You could be a little more hospitable. You shouldn’t be such a loner. No man’s an island.”

      “I like being a loner. I’m a freakin’ island and love it that way.”

      “Everyone needs a friend.” Emma patted his arm. “And right now, Tazer needs you to be her friend.”

      “I’ve committed to one night. That’s it.”

      Nicole fought a smile. “Have pity on poor Dave. The man’s being railroaded.”

      Dave’s eyes narrowed. The woman looked as if she was actually enjoying watching him squirm. Damned woman.

      Valdez handed Steele his cell phone. “Tazer, take my cell phone.”

      Nicole held up her hands. “No way. And I suggest you all ditch your SOS cells, like Sam

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