Page 37 of Tempting Tessa

“Not necessary.” Tommy clicked the mouse several times and entered the woman’s phone number into one of his software programs. “I learned this from a Chinese hacker. All I have to do is sync the software with her number…”

The laptop speaker suddenly picked up the sound of a ringing phone. Tommy grinned at Tessa. “Looks like our doctor is making a call.”

They could only hear her end of the conversation, and Tommy made sure to record it so they could replay it once they were done. Whoever picked up listened as the doctor gave them a replay of her conversation with Tessa. The person asked several questions, none of which the doctor could answer, about Tessa’s true identity or why she would be asking about the superconductors or Viktor’s name. It was obvious by her tone, which became more high-pitched and panicky, that whoever she spoke with had concerns that made the doctor even more uncomfortable.

The call didn’t last long, but it was enough for him to get the recipient’s number. After it ended, he fed that number into another piece of the software program with a database the CIA would be envious of. He watched as it filtered through millions of phones until it found a match. His screen lit up, a soft confirmative beep emitting from the speaker.

“Kaltrain,” he muttered. Satisfaction made his grin turn predatory as he met Tessa’s eyes. “The same LLC as the Land Rover.”

She moved to peer over his shoulder. Her breath tickled his ear. “Can you cross-reference it along with that number to the name Viktor?”

“On it.”

He fed the information into a public search engine. Sometimes, the simplest way was also the quickest. A dozen hits came up, three of them with the name Viktor Renard.

“Renard,” Tommy read aloud. He switched screens, scanning a website for one of the dozen LLCs he’d been investigating. “Why does that sound familiar? Ah… there you are.” He tapped the screen as a photo appeared from a publicity shot at a board meeting. “V.C. Renard. He’s one of the board members but listed as absentee the night this photo was taken. His picture doesn’t appear in any of this company’s PR or social media, even though his name is on all the documentation and paperwork.”

When Tessa didn’t say anything, he twisted to look at her. Her face had gone slack, pale. “What is it?”

She swallowed. “Renard means fox in French. My last name—Vulpe—means fox in Latin.”

“That’s a weird coincidence.”

“There are no coincidences in this line of work.”

“You think there’s a link between you and this Viktor guy?”

The laptop chimed with a traffic alert. He opened the notification box. “The Rover just pinged a traffic cam.” A side-by-side map showed the location. “It’s here. In London.”

When he met her eyes, he saw she didn’t believe this was a coincidence, either. “Not Ilford?” she asked.

He shook his head. “It’s near Heathrow.”

The airport.

That rush of adrenaline spiked. Had someone—Jessie?—followed them here?

“We might be able to catch it,” she said, detached again and seeming to read his mind.

He closed the laptop, swiped it off the desk, and stood. “Let’s go.”

Fifteen

The Mercedes SUV hummed outside the castle’s grand entrance, its polished frame gleaming in the midday sun. Tessa would never get used to such extravagance, but it did come in handy right now.

Clarence held open the rear passenger door, his crisp uniform immaculate as always.

“I should drive,” Tommy said, flicking his gaze from the butler to her. “We can’t afford to lose whoever’s in the Land Rover.”

Tessa slipped into the backseat. “You don’t know the streets like Clarence does. Get in.”

Tommy stood immobile and unconvinced. Clarence gave him a patient smile—one he’d used on Tessa since her inaugural visit after discovering her grandparents had left the estate to her. “Sir, I assure you, I’m more than capable. I’ve been trained in both offensive and defensive driving. You’re in good hands.”

“No offense,” Tommy said, “but this may turn into more than a simple trip to the airport.”

Her emotions tumbled around inside her. Impatience took the reins. “Fine. Leave him, Clarence.”

“As you wish, my Lady.”

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