Read Online Courting Passion by Elizabeth Lapthorne - Free Book Online Page B

bounced on the balls of her feet to warm her legs up.
    “I’ll take point,” Garth insisted. “We go in easy, make a quick survey. If we can see the hard drive we go immediately for it before they have a chance to react.”
    “Resist only if necessary,” Katherine added.
    “Piece of cake,” Garth grinned.
    She chuckled.
    “Because these things always go to plan, don’t they?”
    “That’s why we have a Plan B.”
    “And C, don’t forget turning tail and running.”
    In high spirits they turned around and walked back to the building. As they approached, Katherine could feel the weight of razor sharp awareness settle upon them both. Katherine noticed that both of their movements became graceful, fluid. Garth in particular appeared like he had released his inner hunter.
    They stalked their prey.
    With smiles on their faces, like any normal couple who were starting a new day together, they passed by, appearing to be completely unnoticed. But to the trained eye Katherine knew their movements would be recognisable. She remained alert, wary, coiled and ready for action.
    “I count five cars,” Katherine murmured. Garth shifted his head to indicate another parked out on the street.
    “No other lights are around. I think that makes six. There’s no condensation on the windshield or windows. It wasn’t left there overnight.”
    “Still manageable,” she reflected as they came to the front door.
    Katherine reached out and pulled it open for Garth. She stepped to the side to let him enter first since he wanted to be on point. As he strode forward, confidence radiated from his body language. Nothing hinted he should not be where he stood. Katherine followed, with a quick check of their rear, making sure they were clear and not being followed.
    Garth’s head turned, surveying the large, open-plan reception area, greeting foyer and generalised waiting room. No posters or advertisements reflected the work performed here. Roughly painted bare walls were stark relief to the dark plastic tables. A few computer desktops were scattered around to create mini-terminals.
    As they passed the receptionist’s desk, Garth leaned over and dropped his empty coffee cup in the waste basket under her bench. Katherine noticed he used the change in his posture to continue his recon of the room. She mimicked his motion, also tossing her cup into the bin but using the act of leaning over the desk to make sure no one followed behind them.
    More ambushes happened in the first few silent moments of an attack than at almost any other time, she had learned. She needed to make sure they weren’t cut off from escape or blindsided by their enemies sneaking up them.
    As they walked farther into the front room they could see two workers chatting in hushed tones, steaming mugs cradled in both their hands. The two women looked up as they heard Garth and Katherine enter. They relaxed. The blonde remained silent but the other, a brunette, stood.
    “Can I help you? I’m afraid no one is really here just now. People won’t start arriving until half past seven. Our office hours don’t begin until eight.”
    Katherine smiled, in what she hoped was a reassuring manner, but remained silent, letting Garth take the lead. He dug a hand into his pocket and removed his laminated ID.
    “I’m Garth Spenser, this is my partner. We’re following a routine lead and discovered someone on the premises who is working at a terminal about now. Would you be able to show us to that person please?”
    The women exchanged puzzled glances. Katherine’s intuition hummed. They were on to something here. She could feel it in her gut.
    “James and Robert are out back. They always arrive early to check the servers before the rest of the staff come in each morning. But our systems are quite strictly audited. I don’t understand what possible trouble they could—”
    “The company is not in trouble,” Garth said quickly. “If you could take us to them please? We should be