Reaching For The Moon by ThePekingNoodle
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Chapter Fifty-Nine: Let's Go for A Little Ride
In which our hero is invited on an unexpected trip…
Max looked at Logan after he made his announcement about Lydecker's dinner invitation. "Do you really think that all he wants is the microchip?"
Logan considered. "I honestly don't know for sure. Your father set up a tight cover story for you, and I can't see anything that would cause the Colonel to question it." He was silent for a moment; "Maybe you shouldn't come to dinner. I can always plead a last minute case of the flu or something."
Max glared at him. "You think I'm letting you meet him alone? It's not going to happen."
Logan met her look evenly. "And I'm not letting you walk into what might be a trap."
Their gazes locked as they stood there at an impasse. Logan sighed. "Tell you what. I'll spend the next two days doing heavy hacking into the Colonel and his operation. If I can't find anything, you can come. But, if there's even one thing that seems out of kilter, you're staying away from him."
"I don't like it. If I don't go, I don't want you to go either." Max said stubbornly.
"Max, we're not getting anywhere with this. Can we table it for now?"
"Whatever." Max muttered ungraciously.
Logan reached over and tilted up her chin so she had to look at him. "I'm not going to take any unnecessary chances. There's no reason the Colonel would want to hurt me. Trust me on this, okay?"
"I said whatever, Logan. Can we drop it?" Max was still annoyed at him, and Logan gave up.
"I'm gonna do some of that research I promised you. I would."
"Do you care if I go out for a while then? I need to pick up a few things to tune my bike."
"Wanna pick up some Chinese while you're at it? That way I can concentrate on our friend and maybe get some answers sooner."
"Sure. Any preferences?"
"Whatever you want. I'm easy." Logan was already seated back at his computer, and was beginning to pull up files.
Max grinned at his last words and ran her eyes over him. "So I've noticed."
Logan looked up at that. "Huh?"
"Never mind. See you in a while." Max was already out the door, even as the sense of her look and words hit him.
"Max…wait…" But she was gone. Logan smiled to himself as he went back to work.
Easy huh? Wait until later and she'll see who's easy…
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Logan was soon engrossed in his work and he lost all track of time. When he finally leaned back from his keyboard, his back and shoulders were stiff. He had found some information on the Colonel, but most of it was general background information. So far he hadn't managed to open any current files. Five years earlier, all records on the Colonel seemed to end. Logan knew there had to be more out there, but he needed to think about how he might find it.
He realized he was thirsty and he started to stand up to get a drink. As he did, an Alert began to flash in the lower corner of his computer screen. He sat back down and clicked on it. There was an urgent Email message time stamped hours earlier.
"Damn," he muttered realizing that the brownout must have erased the original alert. He opened the message and quickly skimmed it.
To: EyesonSeattle
I have received word that Logan Cale is in imminent danger. Powerful people are looking for something he has and it is possible that they have sent a team to pick him up even now. Advise him to go to ground immediately.
EyesontheCapitol
The message was from one of the Eyes Only informant net's most seasoned and trusted operatives, which meant it had a high credibility. Logan closed the message and quickly secured his computers. If any one tried to get into them, they would immediately erase.
"Max." He was on his way to grab a jacket and the car keys when he realized that Max might walk into a trap if he left now, without getting word to her not to come home. He picked up the phone and punched the speed dial for the cell phone he had given to her. "C'mon, c'mon answer…" The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer.
Logan put it down and pulled out his cell phone intending to call her on his way out. As he did, he heard his door opening.
"Max, we need to go now…" he began in relief.
"I'm afraid I'm not your lovely wife," a familiar voice said. Colonel Donald Lydecker stood there. Several men dressed in what looked like SWAT gear accompanied him. All were pointing guns at Logan.
"What the hell?" Logan demanded.
"I'm sorry to barge in unannounced, but circumstances dictate. You have something I want and I'm afraid I'm unable to wait any longer. Secure him." The last with a nod to his SWAT team. Two of them came forward, one holding his gun on Logan while the other walked behind him. He pulled Logan's hands back and cuffed him expertly, then nodded to the Colonel.
"Prisoner is secure, sir."
"Let's go then. Don't worry, Mr. Cale. If you cooperate you'll be home by bedtime and your wife won't need to spend the night here alone."
Logan stared at Lydecker but refused to answer. He could only hope that Max wouldn't choose that moment to return. His wish was granted. Within moment they were in the elevator on their way to the garage. Two more men were waiting outside the elevator there, and Logan was unceremoniously pushed into the back seat of a black Hummer.
A cloth was pulled over his head effectively blinding him. He could feel the vehicle accelerating as it pulled forward and headed out of the garage.
End of Chapter Fifty-Nine…TBC…
