Off the Grid Christmas Read online

  She laughed and flicked on her computer. Her mind was already sprinting ahead, working through the files. She wouldn’t work yet, though.

  Kane was correct—his parents being in the house added a whole new dimension to the problem. She definitely did not want them pulled into the mess she was in. There was no time to convince Kane to let her walk away. But this cottage just might offer her an unexpected chance to give Kane the slip. She’d let him think she was working, let him get settled in. Once he was asleep, she’d take Sebastian and go.

  It was safer for everyone that way.

  “You laugh, but the guy who lives at the end of the street is an astrophysicist. He’d love to meet you, and my parents would love to be the ones to make the introduction.”

  “I’m sure they mean well.”

  “They do, but we need to be as unobtrusive as possible.”

  “You do realize they think we’re dating, don’t you?” Arden asked.

  “Yes. There’s no sense arguing with them. They hear what they want to hear, especially at two in the morning.” Kane gave her an easy smile and leaned against the doorframe.

  Tall and muscular, he exuded confidence, affability and strength. They were a winning combination, and if she let herself, she could imagine seeing him at her family’s Christmas celebration again this year. Instead of pretending to hang on every word Randy spoke, she’d be doing her own thing, free to talk to whomever she wanted.

  “You’re staring,” he said. His hair was just long enough to curl at his nape, his eyes a light brown that looked almost gold in the soft yellow light.

  “Sorry. I was zoning out.” And being an idiot. Kane probably dated models and actresses and NFL cheerleaders. Not geeky computer experts.

  “It’s been a long day. A little zoning out is to be expected.”

  “A long couple of weeks,” she admitted.

  “Things will get easier from here. My associate, Silas Blackwater, can help us with GeoArray. I’ve already asked him to handle the plane.”

  “Teamwork is great, but this part—” she tapped her computer keyboard “—is something only I can do.”

  “Why you?” he asked, and she realized she’d said too much.

  “I’ve been doing this for years,” she hedged. She focused on the still-blank screen and pretended to type.

  “You obviously aren’t working, Arden. And you obviously aren’t telling the truth.”

  “I have been doing this for years.”

  “Lots of people work in computer forensics. Lots of people know how to decrypt files. If you turned the files over to the FBI, they could put a team of people on it. It seems like that might be more effective. What is it about this encryption that makes it so difficult?” He sounded angry. She couldn’t blame him. He’d risked his life for her, and she was withholding information from him.

  His eyes never left hers as he waited for her response, the silence in the air heavy between them.

  “It’s complicated,” she began, still hesitant to let him in.

  “Try me.”

  “Aside from the person who encrypted the files, there’s likely no one who can decrypt them as quickly as I’ll be able to.”

  “Okay, I’ll take the bait—why?”

  “Because I developed the base encryption code that’s wrapped around the files.” She saw the surprise register in his eyes. Wished she could stop his next question before he said it.

  “How did your code end up around those files?”

  There it was. She could either lie or let him in on what a sham her relationship with Randy had been. As mortifying as the truth was, she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him. Randy had used her. The facts were the facts. There was no use sugarcoating it. “Because when Randy and I worked at the university together, he had access to my research, stole my code, then passed it off as his own.”

  “Your boyfriend?”

  “Ex-boyfriend,” she corrected.

  “Does he work for GeoArray?”

  “He’s apparently a consultant for them now. A very highly paid consultant.”

  “Which probably means they’re willing to pay a hefty price to ensure the security of those files.”

  “Exactly,” Arden agreed. “I think those files are somehow connected with GeoArray’s one-hundred-million-dollar contract to design and build a self-improving weapons command and control prototype.”

  “Self-improving?”

  “In the loose sense of the word, it means artificial intelligence or machine learning.”

  “I thought that was mostly academic conjecture?”

  “It has been, but inroads have been made lately. For instance, in credit card fraud recognition programs. The concepts are definitely becoming more mainstream.”

  “So this application will do what?”

  “Without getting my hands on the research, I can’t know for sure, but there are numerous possibilities. It could be programmed to learn if-then scenarios to have weapons change course after launch based on real-time data.”

  “So that means a nuclear missile, for instance, could be made to abort or self-detonate?”

  “Yes. It could even change targets on its own based on the programmed scenarios.”

  “That could be catastrophic.”

  “I agree—a system like that could turn one of our weapons against an ally or ourselves.”

  “Do you think they may be close to completing the application?”

  “The government picked up the contract’s option years last October without recompeting it—” she stifled a yawn “—so there’s a pretty good chance that’s the case.”

  “You’re probably right.” Kane straightened. “But maybe you should think about getting some rest tonight. Start fresh in the morning. You might have better results.”

  “I won’t work too long. I just want to try something I’ve been thinking about,” she said.

  He started to leave, but turned back. “Remember, we’re in this together now. You worry about decrypting those files and I’ll take care of everything else.”

  “Got it,” she said to his back as he closed the bedroom door behind him. Kane said all the right things, but she knew what she had to do. In the long run, everyone would be safer once she dropped off the grid again.

  * * *

  She was going to try to leave.

  There was absolutely no doubt in Kane’s mind about that.

  He was going to stop her. There was no doubt about that, either. Whether or not she’d still like him when it was over? That was something that remained to be seen.

  He jogged downstairs, grabbing the keys to the garage from the hook near the front door. His grandfather had made a habit of putting the keys there to help his grandmother. She’d always been forgetful, but things had been worse during the last decade of her life.

  I can’t have my best friend feeling bad about forgetting, so let’s make it easier for her to remember.

  Kane could almost hear his grandfather’s words ringing through the quiet house. They’d been a team, putting up the key hooks, purchasing a high-tech oven that turned itself off if left on for too long.

  He’d not thought much of it then, but looking back on it he could see that those times with his grandparents had shaped the man he would become. It was fact that he’d spent the first seventeen years of his life running after acceptance and popularity and fun. But that summer before his senior year had changed all that.

  It had been a typical Friday night. Evan was stuck watching his siblings while his mom worked a second job. Kane insisted a party would be a good idea. By the time they’d found Lexi in the pool, it was too late.

  That decision haunted him. Now he chased after things that had meaning and eternal value. But Kane had long ago resigned hims
elf to the fact that he’d likely never find that one person who would fill his heart with joy.

  I like you, Kane, Arden had said. For some reason, that meant more to him than any compliment he’d ever received from any woman he’d ever dated.

  Maybe because she’d said it without any desire for reciprocation. She hadn’t asked for a response. She hadn’t seemed to even want one. She’d simply been stating another one of her facts.

  He frowned, stepping outside and letting the cold, crisp air fill his lungs. He could smell the ocean in it, the briny water and moist air. He’d always loved this place. Even tainted by the memories of what he’d done, it felt more like home than any other place ever had.

  He crossed the yard and unlocked the two-bay garage. His parents’ car was on the left. The right bay was empty, his grandparents’ old Chrysler long gone. He pulled the truck into place, then took out his cell phone and tried to reach Silas again.

  This time Silas picked up.

  “Silas, we’ve got a problem.” Kane explained Arden’s theory as succinctly as he could. If what Arden believed was true, keeping her safe while she decrypted the files had become more than just a personal mission. It was a matter of national security. As was his way, Silas listened without commenting, until Kane was through.

  After they discussed their next move, Kane hung up, satisfied backup was on its way. He’d have called Grayson, but that was too dangerous. He couldn’t risk his call being intercepted by the Feds. He’d promised Arden the time she needed to decrypt those files.

  He tucked the phone into his pocket, got out of the truck and closed the garage door.

  One less thing to worry about.

  A few dozen more to take care of.

  Like his parents.

  He glanced up at the cottage, eyeing the window of their room. No light, and he assumed they’d done what they’d said they would and gone to bed.

  Tomorrow morning would be soon enough to ask them to keep quiet about his “girlfriend.” Hopefully, they’d cooperate.

  Hopefully, they wouldn’t ask a million questions.

  He didn’t want to lie, but there was no way he could tell them the truth without endangering them.

  He did a perimeter check of the property, the velvety silence of the early morning enveloping him. No sign of movement on the street in front of the house. Nothing to the rear. No lights. No vehicles. There was no reason to believe they’d been found, and every reason to believe they would be eventually.

  Their time was limited by that, and by whatever was in those files.

  He reached the area of the cottage beneath Arden’s window. She’d turned off her light. Maybe she thought that he’d assume she was asleep. Maybe she just hoped it.

  No sense making her wait too long to try her escape.

  He went back inside and walked up the steps loudly enough for her to hear. Opened and closed the door to his room with just enough force to be convincing.

  Once the sounds settled into quiet, he walked back downstairs, avoiding the creaky tread on the third and fifth steps, the groaning floorboard near the kitchen. He pulled a chair away from the table where he’d once eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner with his grandparents and sat, waiting for Arden to make her move.

  ELEVEN

  Arden’s eyes drifted shut for what seemed like the fifteenth time in as many minutes. She forced them open again and got to her feet. It was now or never. If she didn’t make her escape, she’d accidentally fall asleep and lose the opportunity.

  She strapped on Sebastian’s carrier, then slipped into her coat. Shrugging the straps of the pack onto her shoulders, she glanced at the antique clock sitting on the dresser. Nearly three in the morning. The house had been quiet for almost an hour.

  Time to go, but she really didn’t want to.

  Being part of a team working to take down GeoArray seemed so much easier than going it alone. But Kane’s parents were now in the equation. Two people were already dead. She couldn’t risk more lives.

  Arden plucked Sebastian from his cozy spot between the pillows and deposited him in the carrier.

  She crossed the room in darkness, cracked open the door. Head cocked, she strained to hear signs that her movement had disturbed anyone. Hearing nothing, she stepped into the hallway, keeping close to the walls and praying she could avoid the groans and creaks from the old, worn floor.

  At the top of the stairwell, she paused and peered down into the darkness below. With Kane’s room toward the rear of the house, the front door gave her the highest probability of slipping out unheard. Of course, once she got the truck started, he’d wake up.

  If she got it started.

  She’d read about hot-wiring cars. So she had all the steps memorized, but she’d never done it.

  She crept silently down the steps, crossed the foyer and fumbled with the lock on the front door. Turning the handle, she slowly eased the door open and looked out into the dark morning. It would be hours before the sun rose. That gave her time to make her way back through town and out onto the interstate again before the town woke. The less people who knew she’d been there, the safer it would be for Kane’s parents.

  She’d find a place somewhere far away, she’d decrypt the files, and then she’d pass the information to Grayson and let him take it from there.

  First, though, she had to get the truck started.

  She scanned the yard and the street beyond it. Everything looked just like it had when they’d arrived—pristine snow blanketing grass and driveway. Across the street, a pretty little cottage was tucked away from the road, the lights off, the driveway empty. There was an SUV parked on the street in front of it. Had it been there when they’d arrived?

  She couldn’t remember seeing any vehicles on the street, but she’d been tired and distracted. She leaned farther out the door, staring hard at the SUV and the shadowed driver’s window.

  Was someone in there?

  The vehicle’s door swung open and a man got out. He stood near the driver’s door, looking in her direction.

  There were no streetlights, no moonglow, nothing to illuminate his face or eyes. But she was absolutely sure he was looking right at her. And she was absolutely positive he was about to head her way.

  He took the first step, and she jumped back into the house, knocking into something firm and warm.

  A hand slammed over her mouth.

  She screamed.

  Or tried. All that came out was a muffled squeak. An arm slid around her waist, and Sebastian—traitor that he was—started purring.

  “Not a good idea, Arden,” Kane said quietly.

  Because, of course, it was Kane.

  He’d set her up. He’d known she was going to try to leave, and he’d given her the opportunity.

  She shoved his hand away, whirling to face him. Angry that he’d made her look like a fool. Terrified that guy who’d been crossing the street was still coming.

  “There’s someone out there,” she managed to say, her voice shaking with emotion.

  “I know,” he said simply. “That’s Silas Blackwater. He’s Jace’s and my business partner.”

  “You could have warned me about him before I opened the door. It would have saved my heart some effort,” she snapped, and he frowned.

  “You’re angry.”

  “Of course I am. You made a fool out of me.” She was angry. She’d lost count of the number of times Randy had made her feel the fool. “You pretended you believed me, made a big show about your nighttime routine, then sneaked down here and basically lay in wait for me when all you needed to do was—”

  “Stop,” he interrupted, pressing three fingers gently to her lips. “First of all, I only found out an hour ago that Silas decided to head to the Cape rather than New Hampshire. Second, it would b
e impossible to make you look like a fool. You’re too intelligent to ever be mistaken for one.” He dropped his hand from her mouth, stepped closer and removed Sebastian from his carrier. The little Judas purred loudly as Kane scratched behind his ears.

  “And lastly, I didn’t tell you I was onto you because that wouldn’t have stopped you from hatching your next plan. You’re too determined. You know what you’re up against and you don’t want to put anyone else in danger. Not Juniper, my parents or me. That’s one of the things I admire about you. But I needed you to understand that you won’t be able to slip away from me. We’re in this together. Whether you like it or not.”

  He set Sebastian on the floor. The cat wove between her legs, then Kane’s, before climbing the stairs toward the yellow room without so much as a backward glance.

  Arden’s anger started to melt away. He’d just spent an entire night up close and personal with all her little foibles, yet he thought it would be impossible for her to look like a fool?

  The door clicked shut softly behind her. Arden whirled around with a startled yelp and found herself face to chest with Kane’s associate, his arms laden with kitty litter and a plastic shopping bag brimming with supplies. She was touched by Kane’s thoughtfulness.

  She took a step back, looked up into a pair of heavy-lidded green eyes. He was easily over six feet tall with straight black hair tied in a short, low ponytail. Lean and muscular, his swarthy skin, high cheekbones and aquiline nose all spoke to his Native American heritage.

  “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come up behind me,” Arden said.

  “You weren’t supposed to,” he said simply.

  “This is Silas Blackwater. He’s with us from now on.” Kane’s tone left no room for argument. He reached around Arden and took the shopping bag from Silas. “Now let’s come up with a plan of action we can all agree on.” He turned toward the kitchen, clearly expecting Arden to follow. With Silas behind her blocking the front door, she didn’t have much choice.

  If she was honest with herself, she was warming up to the idea of being part of a team. Maybe it was time she stopped relying on herself and started taking advantage of the resources God placed in front of her. And she couldn’t deny that Kane made her feel safe. Like it was okay for her to be her. Like he wouldn’t have it any other way.