Page 92 of Once a Killer

He eased the door closed. It looked secured, but anyone taking a closer look would realize it had been broken into.

Jameson stood up, and so did she. As the thief, also wearing a black ski mask, moved toward the exit from the lab, she and Jameson positioned themselves in front of the door.

In moments, the thief would see them.

Chapter 32

Edging out of Jameson’s office, the thief reared back when he spotted Jameson and Bree in front of him. He began to retreat into the office, but Bree reached out and snatched the ski mask off his head. While she did that, Jameson flicked on his office lights.

Brewster McKay stood in front of them, blinking in the sudden brightness.

“What are you doing, McKay?” Jameson asked, although since he was holding the hard drive, it was pretty obvious.

McKay’s jaw hardened, and his fingers whitened on the hard drive. “I’m taking what I deserve,” he answered, his gaze shifting from Jameson to Bree, then back to him.

“And what makes you think youdeserveto steal my work?” Jameson demanded, rage roiling inside him. “I’ve been working on that program for a very long time.”

“I deserve it because I was clever enough to steal it.”

Jameson stared at him. “You haven’t stolen it yet.” He held out his hand. “Give it to me, and I’ll make sure you get a shorter sentence.”

“Are you fucking crazy?” McKay asked, his voice incredulous. “I heard that army guy offer you two hundred million dollars for it. Ineedthat money. You already have plenty of your own from that stupid game you sold.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m going to let you steal my work,” Jameson said. “You think I’m a fucking charity?” He drew in a deep breath. Blew it out. If he lost his cool, he’d lose control. Then McKay would have the advantage.

“I don’t care if you like it or not,” McKay said, swallowing several times. “I’m taking this program.”

“Why?” Jameson asked again. “Your family is rich. You have all the money you could possibly need.”

Brewster’s face twisted with rage. “My parents didn’t like it when I refused to go into the family business. They hated that I did my own thing, and they cut me off. So I need my own source of money. And it has to be more than they have, so I can show them who’s the smartest McKay. No way I’m walking out of here without your damn program.”

“You don’t want to do that, Brewster,” Bree said.

He switched his gaze to Bree. Snorted. “You gonna stop me, little girl?” He shoved the hard drive into the pocket of his jacket, turning back to Jameson. “If the army’s willing to pay you two hundred million for it, I’m sure I can get a lot more. There are all kinds of groups that would pay hundreds of millions. Billions, for that kind of program.”

Jameson frowned at him. “You think I’m going to let you walk out the door with my program? You’re damn crazy if you do.”

“Don’t call me crazy,” McKay yelled, pulling a Glock out from beneath his jacket. He pointed it at Bree, his hand not quite steady.

“I’m taking the reporter. She’s my guarantee that you’ll behave. If you don’t? She’ll die, and it’ll be on your head.”

“I thought you were a competent engineer,” Jameson said, rolling his eyes at McKay. “But you’re nothing but a spoiled little rich kid who thinks he can have anything he wants.” Jameson clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Welcome to the real world, McKay.”

McKay moved the gun from Bree to Jameson. Back to Bree. His hand was shaking now. “Maybe I’ll just kill both of you. That’ll solve a lot of problems.”

“Think so?” Jameson said, clenching his fists.

Bree put her hand on his arm. Squeezed, and he got the message.Calm down. “He’s going to let me go, aren’t you, Brewster? Once we’re clear, you’ll let me walk away.”

McKay transferred his gaze to Bree. Even though McKay’s face was red and his hands were shaking, Jameson saw his scorn for Bree. He’d dismissed her as a mere reporter. Ineffectual. No match for him.

“Of course I will,” McKay finally said after drawing a deep breath. Swallowing, he turned back to Jameson. “Once I’m clear, I won’t need her anymore.”

Jameson didn’t believe him, and he was sure Bree didn’t, either. But he had to try another tack. “My advisor gave me a lot of input on that program. He’ll recognize that it’s mine. There’s no way you can get away with this.”

McKay curled his lip. “I know all about Theo Graham. He’s going to have an unfortunate accident.”

“Why?” Jameson said, tamping down the anger burning in his stomach. “You don’t even know him. What did he do to you?”

---