Page 35 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost
"How'd you ID me?" I keep my tone neutral, though my pulse thunders.
She laughs, bouncing toward the displays. Her movements are rapid, excited.
"Your coffee cup." She says this like it explains everything. "DNA analysis is straightforward with the right equipment. Military databases aren't as secure as they should be."
I make two subtle clicks on my comms—team signal for non-hostile contact. My eyes never leave her as she moves between displays. Fluid yet constantly in motion, like a small, efficient predator.
"We found you in Steele's systems after his death." I track every micro-expression. "Sloppy work for someone with your skills."
Her smile sharpens. "Had to leave breadcrumbs somewhere. Didn't know who else might be in his network."
"Breadcrumbs."
"I was fishing." She shrugs, moving closer. "Never thought I'd snag someone so... calculated. Or the crew he runs with."
The word 'calculated' carries weight, like she's observed far more than my coffee preferences.
"Jenny Martinez was tracing financial networks." She taps a photo of a young woman with dark hair. "Paradise Elite connects to modeling agencies in fourteen states. When she died, I kept digging."
My eyes scan the boards, recognizing patterns we'd identified but hadn't connected. Her board goes deeper—makes connections we'd missed.
Brilliant. Dangerous, but brilliant.
"You've been busy." I take a careful sip of tea. It's surprisingly good, green tea with citrus and mint. The realization that she's studied me this carefully sends tightness through my chest.
Unfamiliar and unwelcome.
When she moves past me toward another screen, the coconut scent brushes against my senses. My awareness of her proximity sharpens—a tactical failing I try to suppress.
"These dummy corporations flow back to a single holding company." She pulls up financial records, scrolling faster than most could process. "See the pattern?"
I do. The same pattern that led us to Steele.
"Vertex Models." I step closer, the heat of her body registering against my senses. Keeping a distance would be safer. I move closer anyway.
"Exactly." Her eyes light up, fingers flying across keyboards. "Vertex opened offices in fourteen cities in three years. Each time, young women disappeared within months."
My brain clicks pieces into place while another part registers how her hands move with elegant precision. The pink streak catches light when she turns, drawing my attention to the curve of her neck.
"Paradise Elite recruits through these agencies." Her voice grows intense. "Jenny was tracking patterns when—"
"When she was killed." I finish, eyes on the evidence wall. "Official story was carjacking."
"But her laptop was missing. All her notes, gone." Her voice drops. "Sound familiar? Making people disappear?"
I study surveillance photos: young women entering buildings but never leaving. The composition suggests Jenny took them herself.
"What made you target me specifically?" I keep my voice neutral, though my heartbeat accelerates.
"Your military record has more holes than Swiss cheese." She turns to face me fully. "And you showed up at multiple locations I was monitoring."
Our gazes lock, heat flaring between us.
"You've been tracking my movements."
"While you've been hunting me." Her smile lacks warmth. "I've been watching you track my digital footprints."
I lean forward, maintaining eye contact.
