Page 12 of Exhale
“Yeah, I can get in, hold on,” Jordan said.
Owen didn’t need to guess who was on the other end of the line…it was someone from one of Dave’s many specialty teams.Jordan was their go-to—even over Seth or Kellum—when they needed some techie shit done asap.
Jordan had unmatched skills, but in Owen’s opinion, the young man was being taken advantage of. If he had his way, he’d nix that shit right the hell now.
Jordan was on a job with him. And maybe it wasn’t an official job right now, but after he made a call to Ace, it would be.
When he’d gone back into his brother’s office and shared the fact that Ginny was dead, Ace had immediately given him time off and allowed Jordan to come with him.
Owen eased the SUV over and parked on a side street. Jordan tossed him a curious glance, but then went back to the keyboard and phone conversation.
Owen tucked his earbud in and called Ace.
“How’s it going?” his brother answered on the first ring, his voice filled with concern.
“Here’s what I know,” Owen said, and filled Ace in on the situation and his suspicions about Ginny and Louise’s deaths not being an accident.
Jordan’s fingers flew over the keyboard, and the techie was firing back information over the phone at a speed that boggled the mind.
“So, I want this on the books, and I want to have lead on the investigation,” Owen said.
“Is the fire marshal still on scene?” Ace asked.
“Yes, but they aren’t sharing shit. The local PD is calling it an accident until ruled otherwise. I fear that any leads will grow cold while we wait,” Owen admitted, watching Jordan’s profile.
“I’ll make the call,” Ace said.
“One more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Stop using Jordan while he’s on this case,” Owen said flatly.
Two things happened simultaneously.
“Who’s using him?” Ace asked, and Jordan’s head snapped up.
The techie glared at him, and if looks could kill, he’d be ten feet under.
“I don’t know, but I need him on this case without distractions.” Owen returned Jordan’s hard gaze.
“I’ll make it happen,” Ace said, ending the call.
Owen twisted his lips, wondering how the hell he was going to defuse the situation he now found himself in.
“No…wait, Noah, I can do it. I’m almost there,” Jordan said in a rush, but apparently the line went dead.
With a snarl, Jordan turned on him. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“You’re onthiscase, I don’t need you getting pulled every which way,” Owen grumbled.
“Are you kidding me?” Jordan gaped at him. “News flash, grandpa, I can multitask.”
Silence.
“Did you just call me, grandpa?” Owen asked incredulously.
Jordan threw up his hands and gave an irritating sigh. “Look, I can do this shit in my sleep. So don’t tell me how to do my damned job! You’re not my boss.”
