chapter six
The look Devon was giving Michael was absolutely priceless, and since they were holding this meeting in the mobile unit so Kitt could see what was going on, Michael was having to deal with Kitt laughing hysterically in his head. It was Devon's patented "You don't honestly expect me to believe this?" look that managed to make the recipient feel about an inch tall. However, that had never worked on Michael, and he simply smiled at his boss. "Yeah, I know how it sounds."
"It sounds ridiculous." Devon muttered, leaning back in his chair. "Why are you so determined about this?"
Michael sighed and abruptly turned serious. "For one thing, Ashley thinks Mandy is still alive, and I'd definitely rather find her that way. For another, whoever took Mandy didn't take Ashley, and she didn't notice anything until it was too late. That's professional, not some random kidnapping. Everything that Ashley told me about what Mandy told her fits that. Devon, please." He leaned forward, bracing himself on the computer desk. "I need you to trust me on this."
"It's never a question of trust, my boy." Devon said quietly, and Michael wondered if he was the only one who understood the undertones in that simple statement. Devon sighed, and Michael leaned back, and the moment was broken. "Do you believe this is your best lead?"
"Yes."
"Then investigate it." Devon handed him a sheet of paper. "But don't forget the father as a potential suspect. There may be a reason why he only took one twin and not both."
Michael nodded. Bonnie grunted underneath Kitt's hood. "That should do it." she told the AI. "How does that feel?"
There was a pause while Kitt ran a self-diagnostic. "Perfect, Bonnie." he assured her. "I don't know what we'd do without you."
"Probably break down on the side of the road." Michael commented with a cheeky grin. "Then someone else would have to give us a tow instead of the other way around."
"That would be humiliating." Kitt protested.
"Yeah. Why do you think we like to keep Bonnie around?" Michael kissed Bonnie on the cheek and flashed her a smile. "Thanks, love." Bonnie rolled her eyes at him, but she was smiling as they waited a few seconds for Lauren to climb in the passenger seat before taking off.
/You like her./ Kitt observed.
Michael seemed to shrug. /Yeah, but not the way you're thinking./
/Not yet, at least./ Kitt seemed confident on that fact, and Michael couldn't help but smile. /She'll accept this, Michael. You know she will./
/I know. And when she learns about it, then we'll talk. Right now, as things stand, she'd never understand, and I won't screw things up with her./
/You won't. I have faith./
/Odd coming from a computer./ Michael teased.
"So where are we going?" Lauren asked into the apparent silence. "Or are you in the habit of letting the rookies figure it out for themselves."
"Sorry." Michael said, and he actually meant it this time. "I was just thinking. I'm not used to having another partner, so just smack me if I start ignoring you." Lauren laughed, which successfully relieved the tension in the car. "We're going to check out the father while Kitt runs a check on all complexes large enough to run a small operation out of."
"Do you have any idea how many complexes like that exist?" Kitt demanded.
"When you get the list, I'll give you the restricting qualities." Michael assured him. Kitt grumbled something about being overworked under his breath, and Michael had to laugh at him. He turned to Lauren. "Did Devon tell you where the father lives?"
"That information is in the file." Lauren said, looking at the folder in confusion. "Didn't you read it?"
"No."
"Michael never reads the folder." Kitt snipped. "It makes it look like he actually does work."
"Hard work never hurt anyone, but why take a chance?" Michael shot back with a grin. He could feel Kitt's exasperated affection through the bond, and he sent back warmth and amusement. Glancing over at Lauren, he flashed her a smile. "So where does the father live?"
"Derek Adams lives about fifty miles away." she said. "We won't make it there in one day."
"Watch us." Michael started to accelerate, then changed his mind. "On second thought, taking our time with this can't hurt."
"What about the girl?"
"My gut is telling me her dad didn't take her." Michael said resolutely. "In fact, it's telling me he doesn't even know she's missing, at least not before the cops broke it to him." Kitt groaned.
"I hate your gut instincts." the AI muttered. "They're usually right."
/----/
They stayed in a hotel room that night. Or rather, Lauren stayed in the hotel room. Michael's leg was hurting too much for him to move, but he wasn't about to tell her that. So he stayed with Kitt, just like they always did. Michael usually rented a room so he had a place to shower and freshen up, but he always slept in Kitt's cabin.
No one questioned it. It had started long before the neurolink had been implemented, back when they thought they were going to lose each other and every second together mattered. Now they used it as a chance to devote every moment to each other, to give each other the kind of attention the neurolink demanded. In those few minutes before sleep overtook him, nothing existed except for Michael and Kitt, and Kitt savored every second of those minutes.
It was the main reason why Kitt wanted Michael to stay with Bonnie, if he stayed with anyone. Bonnie would understand, once they explained it to her. She loved Kitt the same as she loved Michael, just in a different way. She would allow them the time they needed. No other woman could ever do that.
Or at least, Kitt sorely hoped she would.
Lauren waited until well past midnight before making the call. She hoped Kitt had gone on standby and wouldn't be listening in. The last thing she wanted to do was tip the thing off.
A male voice answered her on the other line. "Do you have it?"
"We're going out to Derek Adams' residence tomorrow." she said quietly. "I'm taking them through the desert to get there. You'll have plenty of time to stage an ambush."
A pause. "Would you rather stay with Knight or come with us?"
"Stay. He was suspicious of me, but now he's starting to relax. If I stay here, I may be able to convince him to focus on the case. It will buy you more time to get as far away as you can."
The man chuckled. "After all, that was why we took the girl." he said, sounding rather proud of himself. "You'll be paid in full when we get the AI John promised us. Good-bye, Lauren."
"Wait –" Lauren started to interrupt, to tell him about the girls, but he hung up on her. She stared at the phone for a moment, cursing under her breath. She glanced out the window one last time before settling in for the night. "Just how the heck are we supposed to separate them?" she muttered. "They're like twins themselves."