Page 6 of Unexpected Hero

After sliding my laptop into my tech go-bag, I toss it over my shoulder and exit the car. When I’m sure no one is looking, I approach her vehicle, squat down, and pretend to tie my shoe. After swiftly attaching a tracking tag under her bumper, I pop up and continue walking.

The hotel rooms surround a courtyard with a pool. The building consists of two floors, and all the rooms have exterior entrance points. Yet another safety concern for a young girl staying on her own. On the bright side, it will make hearing inside the rooms easier for me.

Since it’s centrally located, the pool area looks ripe for getting a feel for what’s happening in this shady hotel.

Hotel? That’s a laugh. Barely qualifies as a motel.

I take a seat at a moldy patio table. It’s covered by a ripped umbrella flapping in the breeze. After removing my laptop, I set up my laser pointer listening device. Roughly the size of a thick pen or marker, the range on this thing isn’t as good as the types we sometimes use in the field when we have cover. But it’s discreet and effective, which I need right now.

Once the device is powered on, I insert my earbuds and go room by room, simply aiming the laser at the window. As I listen, I start hacking the hotel’s Wi-Fi network to get more intel.

Since it’s the middle of the day, I’m not expecting to hear all that much. This place likely sees more criminal activity at night, but she’s here now. If I can find her, I might get a clue about her intentions and why she’s in town.

Is it possible her grandparents told her about her real father, and she’s come to confront him? If so, I’ll need to ensure he’s ready for that news by taking as much off his plate as possible before he gets hit with the shock of his life.

Over the years, I’ve tried to tell him about her, but it’s never been the right time. We created the company a little over six years ago, and it’s been a never-ending grind since then. The company has grown ten times faster than we anticipated.

Unlike my father, Big Al is a good man. Honest, compassionate, hard when he has to be, gentle when he can be, and loyal beyond all else.

And, like me, he wears the weight of the company on his shoulders.

As soon as I can ease the load he bears, I’ll tell him about his daughter. That’ll give him the time to build a relationship with Violet.

Until then, I’ll keep an eye on her.

I’m yanked from my mental justification when the microphone picks up something. I adjust the angle. Grunts and gasping breaths from room two twenty-four make my shoulders stiffen. Is that a fight?

A dainty moan joins in with the male’s gruffer sounds.

Oh. Nope.

Not a fight.

I’ve been around enough people having sex to recognize it. My nerves over Violet’s sudden arrival in Florida must have me out of sorts.

Shaking it off, I continue with simultaneous audio surveillance and hacking attempts. I detect a mixture of meaningless chatter, innocuous phone conversations, television shows, and the occasional snoring hotel guest.

Accessing the hotel’s Wi-Fi proves to be child’s play. In no time, I’ve downloaded an occupancy listing. Later, I’ll use that to run background checks on all the guests near Violet and identify potential threats. With that saved in my system, I focus on finding her room number.

And there she is. Jackpot.

One thirty-six.

I point the laser mic at the right window. It was silent when I observed that room earlier, so I assumed it was empty. It’s still quiet in there.

With nothing to listen to from her room, I double down on my efforts to access her phone or any device she may be using. Maybe the phones of those around her too.

Just to be safe.

As I work, I check my watch. Dammit. I’ve been gone for nearly an hour. I fire off a text to Klein to ensure there are no issues at work and let him know I’m held up. He responds with a simple thumbs-up.

Good.

A female voice sailing through my earbuds interrupts my Wi-Fi massaging.

I think that’s her.

Adjusting the piece in my ear, I strain to focus on her words. With some interference coming through, I shift the microphone a half-inch to the right.

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