One Breath Brings Death (An Aaron Jaycynth Mystery--Book 2) Read online

  "Have you been able to get into any of the labs or locations other than the lobby?" asked Akerheart as he watched people enter and leave the building. "They are hiding something and I don't like protecting someone who is not totally honest with us."

  Aaron fingered the keyboard and the screen changed to a camera in what looked like a hallway. "This is the seventh floor corridor. Those doors," he said pointing to doors on the left side, "lead into two major research labs. There are cameras in those labs, but I have not been able to access any as yet."

  As they watched, several people walked from the elevator to the first door. One person in the group slid his passkey through the security panel. He held the now unlocked door open for the others and walked through after the others had. "Wow that should not have happened. If they are keeping records of who goes in and out of those labs, each person should have slid his passkey through the sensor before going into the lab," said Natalie as she watched the screen.

  Aaron fingered the keyboard again causing the screen to change to the view of the security center that he and Natalie had visited. "Look at the third monitor from the left," said Aaron as he zoomed into the view. "I think this is a shot of the lab we just saw from the corridor. You can see the people who just entered."

  "Is that screen always showing the lab?" asked Akerheart.

  "No, the screens change about every ten minutes."

  "So anyone could gain access to a room or lab and not be noticed by security?"

  Akerheart and Robins looked at Aaron. "Yeah that's right, if they know what screen the monitor is showing. But only if they sneak in with another person," said Aaron as he looked back at the monitor. "It wouldn't be all that difficult either. The screens are in a loop and don't go back to that corridor for another forty five minutes."

  "What are on the other screens?" asked Natalie. "Do they monitor all the rooms and corridors?"

  Aaron zoomed out so they could see all the screens in the security center. He pointed at the monitor and said, "This one is always on the lobby. These two show the lunchroom, main corridors on the first four floors, and some open office spaces. This one shows the executive suites and offices on the top three floors."

  "So that one is the only one showing the labs?" asked Akerheart.

  "Yes, as far as I have been able to work out so far. Tanni might have monitors in his office, but I've not been able to verify that," said Aaron turning to look at everyone in the room.

  "It seems you've learned quite a bit so far," said Natalie. "I am checking backgrounds of the directors of the company. They have a skeleton in their closet that someone doesn't like."

  "I'm thinking of calling Shaun after we finish here. He still feels it is not in his jurisdiction, but is open to helping us. I'll talk to him about getting his guru into the loop. They may have a way to dig deeper then we've been able to do so far."

  Natalie had run into a dead end. Everything she had found on Taylor or his company showed him as a wonderful person. His company was always touted as one of the best in the industry.

  "Whatever this is about is a tightly held secret," said Natalie as she stood to leave.

  "Well we need to break their silence before someone gets killed. I'll see if Shaun's guy can help you find out why Taylor and his wife were targeted. We need answers and we need them fast."

  As Aaron walked through the Andrews lobby toward his lab, the dispatcher said, "Shaun called and asked that you get back to him as soon as possible."

  Aaron went to his lab, closed the door and returned Shaun's call.

  "I'll cut to the chase. We don't have jurisdiction on this case so don't ask," said Shaun after Aaron said hello. "I will unofficially give you some help. But this is completely off the record. Got that?"

  "I know you're not involved in this case, yet, but there is more to this than meets the eye. I have a sneaky suspicion that Taylor and his company are involved in something or that something has gone down that he doesn't want the public or the authorities to know about," said Aaron as he stood by his desk. "In Hank's absence I figured you would be the best person to call for help."

  "That's why I am offering you our unofficial assistance. We have people here that agree with you. Is Natalie doing the profile?"

  "Yeah she is. Seems that everything she digs up on Taylor Pharmacon is sweet and nice. How can a pharmaceutical company not have a skeleton or two?"

  "Don't know Aaron, but we'll work with you. Just don't get us in the middle. How are you doing?"

  "I guess I am doing fine, sir. I've never been in charge of a case before and I find myself second guessing my every move."

  "Well that's not a bad thing as long as it doesn't become an obsession. By the way, I've heard a rumor that you have been honing your hacking skills."

  "How would you know that?"

  "I have my ways, Aaron. Call our IT guy if you need anything."

  "I don't know if Hank would want to hear how you are so tuned in to his company. But I'll take you up on the suggestion. Natalie will be our contact person for you on this case. May I call you also?"

  "Certainly Aaron, call me at anytime."

  "Thanks for your help, Shaun. Be expecting a call from Natalie."

  Aaron made his way to Natalie's office. "Give Shaun a call as soon as possible. He's agreed to give us some unofficial, off the record, help on the Taylor situation."

  Natalie eyed her coworker over a cup of hot coffee. More than tired, she looked frustrated. "I need to get some sleep. I'll call him then I'm going home for a nap."

  Natalie Hurleigh loved her job. She thought retirement was what she wanted after a fulfilling career at MI5. One year into her longed for "New Life," she realized that she had made a mistake. The work gave her life purpose and meaning. Rather than go back to the agency, she was advised to talk with Hank. Shaun opened the door, she made it work.

  Her job was her life to the exclusion of anyone close. She tried dating a few times. The irregular hours, travel, and constant work involvement stopped that cold. She had seen others develop a relationship and make it work. She couldn't.

  After several attempts at the dating game, she finally gave it up. Friends were easier to manage. Some knew what she did, most didn't. They didn't have to. When she was in town, they mingled and had fun. When she traveled or was on a case, she was simply not available. A few felt slighted and became distant. She could live with that.

  What she wanted now, was someone who understood her, what she did for a living, and was not jealous. Jealousy was the underlying issue with those in the agency. Not that another man or woman was taking them away, but that the job meant more than their partner did. Working at Andrews gave her the freedom she never had in the past. She had more regular hours and could finally have the life she longed for. But how do you do that at this point in your life.

  Chapter 9

  "You keep cooking these wonderful breakfasts and I'll put on ten pounds," said Claire Fachan as she and her husband sat at their kitchen table. "You have anything special today?"

  "With all that has happened in the past week, I doubt this will be a quiet day. Gillert is driving everyone crazy. He perched his butt in my office practically the entire day yesterday. I kept telling him to relax. Considering what happened to him and then his wife, it feels like someone made a pact with the devil."

  Claire placed her hand on his when the phone rang. Ian was up in a flash in case it was Gillert calling. He insisted that work was not brought home, but times like this were the exception. Claire watched as his face turned pale after he said hello. She knew the look.

  Ian closed the call, grabbed his wife and yelled. "We have to get out quickly." They were barely onto the lawn when they heard the explosion. Claire turned and screamed as she saw their house go up in flames.

  *****

  "Remind me to say no next time. I thought I would take a short nap and slept through the night," she told Akerheart in the lunchroom. From his looks, Akerheart did the same.

>   Coffee in hand, she walked to her office hoping to pick up the Taylor investigation. Aaron met her in the hall with a folder in his hand. "Sorry about this. Conference room B in ten," he said as he continued walking.

  "No use starting anything now," she said to her desk. "Might as well get in there and see what happened this time."

  Conference room B had become a state of the art technology center. Aaron had installed computers, large screen monitors, a sophisticated sound system, and satellite feed. With the help of MI5's technology guru, Aaron was able to create links to all the government feeds and channels. The room was nearly equivalent to the high tech mobile van that MI5 used.

  Natalie sat with her coffee wondering why Aaron had called the meeting. Her thoughts were interrupted by the laughter of Akerheart and Robins as they entered. Each had coffee and a pastry from the lunchroom. "I'd kill to enjoy one of those every morning, but just thinking those thoughts puts inches on my hips."

  "With all the running around you do," said Robins as he enjoyed a morsel, "you'd burn it off, so indulge yourself."

  Before she could reply, Aaron walked in with his coffee in one hand, his laptop in the other and a folder under his arm. "The Taylor situation just took another turn. Early this morning, Ian and Claire Fachan received a phone call telling them to get out of their house or they would die a horrible death. As soon as they stepped out their front door, a bomb exploded engulfing their home in flames."

  Aaron worked the keyboard on the conference room system to bring up the street cam from the Fachan neighborhood. Fire and emergency vehicles were still at the scene. The fire was out, but the house looked to be badly burned.

  "What time did this happen?" asked Natalie

  He looked from one to the next and said, "Quarter past seven."

  "What? That's the same time Taylor's car exploded on Friday," said Natalie. "And before you ask, I've got nothing more than I told you yesterday."

  "It's also the same time Darcey was picked up. This is no coincidence. The local authorities have officially asked us for help. They want us to provide round the clock protection for the Taylor family and now Ian and Claire Fachan. I think we need to expand that to the other members of the Taylor board."

  "We don't have enough people for that," said Robins. "You calling in additional help?"

  "I was hoping you could arrange that. You and Akerheart will supervise teams for each family. Fachan and his wife will be staying at a hotel for now. I'll contact Shaun's tech guru, again, and see if he can help me with the Taylor security cams."

  Everyone was taking notes as they watched the video footage in front of them. "I wonder when the bomb got planted?" he questioned as he continued working the footage back.

  "I called Hank earlier. He asked me to stop all other projects and concentrate on Taylor exclusively. Andrews has been contracted to protect them, but he doesn't want to go in blindly," said Aaron as he watched the video footage. "Natalie we need to get Taylor to open up. If he won't then we have to force the issue. Lives may depend on it."

  Akerheart could tell that Aaron was stressing out just by the sound of his voice. "We can do this Aaron. Just relax and do what you do best and let us do what we do best," he said as he looked at the nervous coworker in front of him.

  Akerheart had used similar words when Aaron was thrust into the Tameron kidnapping. Aaron, a shy young man, had a level of intelligence far beyond most. He was clearly a genius. His past efforts had shown that he was also a street-smart person who put himself out there for the safety of those who Andrews protects. He showed his muster when put to the test for Ethan Tameron and Akerheart knew Aaron would do it again this time.

  Everyone stood and walked from the conference room. Akerheart and Robins discussed the plans for coverage as they left. Natalie gathered her notes and stopped by the door. Aaron continued looking at the video footage on the screen.

  "Let me know when you want to go back to Taylor. I'll be in my office trying to find their skeleton." He nodded as she left the room.

  Aaron continued fingering the keys. He brought up the street cams from the time of the call hoping to see the same person from the Taylor car bombing. The street was quiet. No one walking. A few cars passed the Fachan home. Suddenly Aaron sat up, "Look at that car," he said to the empty room. "I think it might be the same one we saw driving away from the Taylor house."

  He rewound the video and slowed the motion. A car drove along the street, stopped for barely a minute in front of the Fachan house, and then sped away. The house erupted into flames before the car turned off the street.

  Aaron picked up the phone, hit the page button and said, "Natalie, Akerheart, and Robins, please report to conference room B stat." The page sounded throughout the Andrews Facility.

  They came running back into the room. "What do you have Aaron?" asked Robins.

  He started the footage again and showed them the car as it drove along the street in front of the Fachan home. "I think it’s the same car that we saw in front of Taylor's home. I can't be sure but it is the same color and model," said Aaron as he replayed the footage again. "Watch it now," he said as he put the video into slow motion. The house exploded shortly after the car slowed in front of the home.

  "Can you zoom in on the tags?" asked Akerheart as he watched the video repeat.

  Aaron did his best but there was a vehicle following too closely to see the tag. "I wonder how they got the bomb into Ian's home," questioned Aaron as he replayed the video. "Look at this." He stood and moved to the monitor. "Right here it seems as if he is pointing something at the house. I wonder if it is a remote that triggered the bomb."

  Akerheart looked at the monitor. "If you are correct Aaron, they planted the bomb before Fachan got home yesterday. But why call first? Why warn the victim that his house is about to go up in flames?"

  "A warning," said Aaron. "Remember, I thought the same thing about the Taylor car bomb. He is clearly warning his victims. He doesn't want them harmed; he wants them to see his power over their lives."

  "You think this is an inside person?" asked Natalie.

  "At this point I wouldn't rule that out. I'll get this video to the authorities. Natalie, call Shaun and get his people to help you gain full access into the Taylor background. Akerheart, you and Robins get your people in place. We need answers. Find out why someone is targeting the Taylor board," said Aaron as he stood. Just shy of the door, he turned and said, "I'm going to do a full hack into the Taylor security system. I want to record everything that happens in that building. I want to know who enters and leaves. Hopefully Shaun's guy can help me find out what goes on in the labs. Don't tell that Tanni guy what we are attempting to do. He may be involved."

  "You do realize what you are asking us to do, don't you?" asked Akerheart.

  "Yes I do," he said as he left the room.

  Chapter 10

  The Andrews gym was unusually busy for a Friday morning. The Andrews mindset instilled that every member of the staff exercise his body as well as his mind. The state of the art gym had enough equipment to allow several members of the team to work out at the same time. Aaron learned from an early age that keeping the body fit was of utmost importance if you wanted to stay on top of your game.

  He had developed a workout routine in his teens when his father showed him that a strong body could offset the bullying he was often subjected to as the smartest kid in school. From that point on, he maintained a vigorous daily exercise routine. Living in London, his routine usually started before dawn with a brisk five-mile walk or run from his bedsit to the Andrews facility. He would work out for a minimum of sixty minutes in the Andrews' gym, then shower, dress, and begin his other tasks as the Andrews technology person.

  Today he was in the company of Akerheart, Robins, Natalie, and Maya the dispatcher. While in the gym, the staff rarely discussed work situations. Today was no different. Aaron worked his body extra hard, knowing that he had a hot date that evening. He might even return to the gy
m before leaving work to get the extra pump he found most men enjoyed seeing.

  After his sauna and shower, he found himself in the lab with Natalie and Akerheart. Natalie had spent the entire week digging into Taylor Pharmacon's background, hoping to dredge up a skeleton or two. Her smile suggested that she had finally succeeded. "What did you find?" asked Aaron?

  "I may be on to something but it will require more digging. As you already know, Taylor makes most of its money in the generic drug business. They rely on the major house's research and development for new drugs, and then they exploit that research by making a generic version."

  "I did know that," said Akerheart. "So how does that make them vulnerable? Or more to the point, why would someone want to send this message?"

  "That was my questions as well. I kept digging and found that Taylor began developing their own drugs about five years ago. It looked as if they might have a new line of vaccines, but the research stopped suddenly. I have not found out why, nor can I identify what they were attempting to develop."

  "What could have disrupted the research? Was it money or some government regulations?" asked Aaron leaning against his worktable.

  "That's what I can't seem to find. I only stumbled on the lead and it took pulling in some favors to get this far."

  "Dig deeper. If they stopped researching a profit stream, there must be a major problem. I don't see Taylor giving up that easy."

  Natalie left Aaron's lab, grabbed another cup of coffee and continued digging into Taylor's research program.

  Andrews had gained some notoriety after the Tameron kidnapping case, bringing more new clients than they could manage. While Hank was not going to refuse new business, he developed a priority system for accepting them. They made their reputation guarding high-risk clients such as diplomats, company CEOs and directors, as well as high visibility government officials. The Taylor Pharmacon case added to their waiting list of client requests.