Royalty in Death - an In Death series fanfic (J.D. Robb)

Chapter 24

Trueheart suddenly spoke. "Sir, there's three heat sources at the right wing, almost 10 metres away from your location. If you turn right and enter the small staircase, you might lose the droids. But there's a chance that one of Levinski's men might spot you."

"They're chemi-heads now, boy. I could wipe out all of their memories in a single kick.", Baxter replied as he gambled his life and turned towards the small corridor.

He could hear a zing when one of the droids threw an electric rod. He dodged it, and since droids have slower reflexes than well-trained humans, he used that situation to sprint towards them in order to enter the right hallway. He might be carrying a 90-pound human, but he was able to bypass these droids unscathed.

He was dashing towards the staircase when McNab took over. "There's a small room below that staircase, and in a count of five, you and Nadine must enter and cover yourselves there."

Baxter didn't ask why – he leaped the 15-feet stairs, and then swiftly entered the room. He barely scanned what's inside and chose to land on a large cot. By timing, everything went pitch-black.

"That-that was the scariest shit I ever encountered in my entire life!", Nadine managed to say.

When McNab secured both Baxter and Nadine's location, he flipped his communicator. "Those two got covered, Roarke."

"So now it's our task to clean their mess, aye?", Roarke mused. "Let me remind you that the Lieutenant is preparing for her leave here. I gave an excuse that I'm handing some business matters. As of the moment."

"That means we have to make this fast.", McNab groaned.

After the kidnapping spree, McNab decided to stay at the Skyline to observe and check some EDD stuffs. He studied the surveillances during the Offertory dance, and immediately spotted how Kyrios entered the hall unnoticed. There were interferences on the video records, but he's still trying to locate the source signal.

Of course, he's fully aware that Dallas and the rest of the team were at the opposite building, interrogating the perpetrator.

That's why it baffled him when Trueheart called and relayed about their situation.

Good thing he was able to pull out the blue prints of Levinski's mansion, its security set-up, and its droid's manufacturer. Even though those were inferiors than Roarke's, cracking the codes outfield was still difficult. That's why he contacted the expert.

"Dallas might spare me, but never in Feeney.", McNab grumbled as he passed the crunch codes to Roarke's PPC. "I'll be transmitting you everything here since I'm not allowed to leave my post. If you need some data, I could patch Trueheart to access the exteriors."

"These will do, thanks. And don't worry, my lips are sealed."

Roarke might be working at the opposite building, but McNab knew how the man works. He's like an E-Magician who could perform E-tricks and E-miracles with a snap of a finger.

It didn't surprise him when he cracked the codes and wiped all electronic evidences in a very short time, including the traces of Nadine's pepper sprays.

This man was seriously iced.

"All house droid's memory banks will have a five-hour reset. The security alert has been cancelled, with all records completely cleaned-up. When those buggers come to their senses, they'll think that the chase was all but a dream."

How and why, McNab decided not to pry. "I'll tell Trueheart about it. Thanks."

"Glad to help. Consider this as my personal gratitude for busting Levinski's balls."

"That was fast.", Baxter remarked as Trueheart opened the car. When the electricity went down, Trueheart instructed him about their escape route. "So McNab managed to reboot everything inside?"

"Apparently, yes."

Unbeknownst to them, it was Roarke who did the job.

"Before we report everything to LT, we need to go to the clinic.", Baxter said as he eyed Nadine.

She scowled. "I don't want to go to any clinic or any hospitals whatsoever – just drop me at the station and I'll fix myself there."

"Fix myself, my ass. You're not gonna work tonight.", he replied while snatching her recorder. "This might be your personal record, but this is now ruled as evidence. You may complain all you want, lady, but remember – I have a jurisdiction over you."

"Fuck you."

"Ah, we can do that afterwards, if you want.", he smirked, even though she's giving him some deadly glares. "So choose – clinic, hospital...or me."

She gaped with horror, and after some vile curses, she settled for clinic.

"Don't be mad at him. He might have some oddities, but actually, that's his subtle affection of telling you he cared.", Trueheart said with a smile, which earned him an elbow jab from his partner.

"Sorry, that was a long call.", Roarke managed to say when he returned. He looked at Eve who was adjusting her extensions. "You're returning now?"

"I need to, or else suspicion may arise.", Eve replied. "I'm sorry if I'm eating your time, handling EDD affairs while you have several empires to attend."

"I can manage. Besides, I wanted to spend some time with my wife.", he replied, flicking a finger on her dent chin. He could visualize in his mind what would be her reaction once she knew about Baxter and Nadine's escapade.

"Tomorrow will be our last day. If our suspect won't move, we go to Plan B."

"But you're quite sure she would stick to your Plan A."

"After our interaction just now? I could see impatience in her eyes. Yeah, she'll definitely show her true colours tomorrow."

"Eve?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

He knew that once she walked outside with the butler Afef, she'll be Princess Petun. She must. But even so, she will be his one and only Eve.

"Roarke, I love you too."

Those words could still melt his heart. So he moved and gave her a long, passionate kiss. Then he toyed the button in his pocket, his charm, his talisman, when she bid goodbye and left.