Leah sat in the empty conference room for several more minutes. There were so many things she kept buried, safely locked away from the light of day so she didn't have to examine them. Or worse, feel them. Damn him for making her dig them up, for making her remember, for making her want and need. The last time she'd let him in, let herself feel something for him she'd ended up on the wrong end of a bad deal. She'd sacrificed a career she'd wanted more than anything to protect him. Oh, it had been the right thing to do, for many reasons, but the reason that mattered most to her was him. And in the end, like a coward, she'd run rather than face him.
She banished the memories swirling around the room. Running a shaking hand through her hair, she stood and started back to the bullpen, trying to bring her mind back into focus. As she rounded the corner, she ran smack up against steely muscle. Her body recognized the man and reacted instantly to his touch.
Flushing at the unpreventable sensations coursing through her, she muttered, Sorry. Scuse me, and tried to step around him while keeping her head down.
He said it softly, and placed a gentle hand on her arm, wanting to erase his earlier behavior.
She paused and flicked her eyes up to his. she said carefully, keeping a professional distance she did not feel.
I need your keys. Kate and McGee can't get into your house.Oh, right... over here. My jacket's at my desk. She led the way, conscious of him behind her, of the heat of his body, the length of his legs as he walked. To take her mind off of the man, she asked, Do you want me to take them the keys? She stopped at the desk chair and fished through the pocket of the jacket hanging off the back of it.
No. You don't have a car here, and I'd rather you stay inside someplace safe. We know you're being watched at least part of the time and you've already been shot at today. Let's see if we can keep you safe til dinner. Okay? He gave her a small grin and was glad to see the frown she'd developed ease.
That depends. What's for dinner? She kept a straight face, and was gratified to see him laugh.
That depends. On whether you behave or not. He turned and boarded the elevator, not waiting to see her expression.
She watched the silver doors close on his satisfied smirk before allowing herself to smile. She turned to the computer at her desk and fished her badge case out of her back pocket. Slipping her fingers inside, she slid out a scrap of paper and sat down, staring blankly at the screen in front of her.
She sighed and poked experimentally at the keyboard, but wasn't able to access the network she needed. Leaning back in her chair, she thought about the problem for a moment. She wasn't about to set foot in the director's office, not after the ass-chewing she and Gibbs got this morning. Maybe the lab tech, what was her name -- Abby. She stood and headed for the lab.
The glass doors slid open and sound rolled over Leah. Catching the wave like a surfer, she slipped into the lab, bobbing her head to the beat. Yo, Abby! She had to shout to be heard over the music.
Hey! Leah! What brings you down here? Abby lowered the volume and studied the redhead.
I need some help with something and I don't know where else to turn. Cool tunes, by the way. Who is that? Leah was aware of the scrutiny and tried to relax as the dark haired girl sized her up.
Cruxshadows. A friend of mine loaned it to me to check out. It's not bad. Abby shrugged. She was impressed that the newcomer hadn't tried to touch the equipment or pry into anything on the tables. So what can I do for you?
Leah pulled the slip of paper out of her pocket. Here's my problem. Yesterday I found a bug in my office. A.P.D. engraves codes on the units so when they're checked out they can keep track of them. The one I found had two codes on it; I'm guessing it's still A.P.D. but I can't even get into the database I need to check it. Abby nodded while the other woman spoke, and then moved to her keyboard and started tapping furiously.
No problem. Where do we need to be in the Arlington system? She glanced over at Leah.
Admin. I left myself a back door into the system before my unceremonious exit from IA. Leah watched the girl's fingers danced over the keys. If I'm lucky, it's still undetected.Mmm, well there's good news and bad news. Good news, it's still there. She looked at the detective. Bad news, they know it's there and it looks like they've been tracking your movements. Abby paused, waiting to see what Leah wanted to do next.
she breathed quietly. Of course they are. Why am I surprised? She took a deep breath and shook her head. All right, I've had it. Do you hack? Leah flashed an evil grin at the dark haired girl.
Why, yes I do. What did you have in mind? Abby smiled back, impishly.
They want to track some movement, what do you say we give them something to track? Then we'll get the info we came for.You're on. One distraction, coming up. Abby's fingers flew while the two women grinned conspiratorially. There, that ought to keep them entertained for a good long while.Terrific. Do you mind? Leah gestured at the keyboard and waited for Abby's approval before typing. Now, we just sneak in here... and we go there... Leah tapped away and then stopped dead. Jesus Christ! Abby leaned over her shoulder but didn't understand the codes listed. Are you in the right place?
Leah looked at the paper and then showed it to Abby. They looked at each other and nodded. Son of a bitch. Who did I piss off, anyway? She extended one rose-colored nail to a number on the screen. That's an IA code. This device has been assigned to that department. What's worse is that that department has a notation that the case they are working on is multi-jurisdictional. She ran her finger along three other numbers in the line.
Abby looked at Leah for a moment. Okay, can you back out of there without leaving a trail?Well, I used to think so. You want me to try and then you can check me? Leah glanced over her shoulder.
I want to do more than that. I'm going to hack you and see if someone else has. If you're under this much surveillance at work, I'm betting everything you touch electronically is tagged. Abby waited while Leah finished and then switched places with her.
Leah paced around the lab with her hands behind her head. This was turning into a nightmare! This is starting to creep me out, she told Abby. She walked back over and watched as her life flickered by on the screen. How could two cold cases cause this much grief?Maybe it isn't the cases, so much as something they're linked to, Abby muttered distractedly. Whoever did this was good. Damn good. But I'm better. Hah! She finished with a decisive smack of the keys. Well, at least you can use the ATM now without showing up on someone's radar. She swivelled around and looked at the concerned face behind her. What else can I do for you?Right now? I'm honestly not sure. Is this the most secure computer in the building? Leah was starting to feel maybe paranoid wasn't a bad thing.
Yeah, probably. At least as secure as any of the higher-level ones. Why? Abby leaned back in her chair and waited.
No real reason right now. I just want you to be safe and I want to know that there's someplace secure we can work from. I've gotta go work through some things; see if I can make some sense of this. Leah paced slowly back and forth, working through the problem. I'm probably going to need to get into Arlington's personnel files, but those are tougher to get to. I have to make sure I know what I'm looking for before I go digging. She paused mid-step and looked up at the lab tech. Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate it. Would you be willing to help me get back into the system later?Of course. You've got me curious, too. Come on by anytime. The smile she gave Leah was genuine and friendly, the detective having proven to be kind and courteous.
Thanks, Abby. I can't even begin to tell you what a relief it is to have someone helping me. Leah smiled in return. I'd better get back upstairs. I need to go through those files, see if something there jogs my memory. See ya later. She waved as she ambled out of the lab.