Contracted Defense by Piper J. Drake

Author:Piper J. Drake [Drake, Piper J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-09-11T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“I am both surprised and not surprised that we were able to get this many components at the electronics stores in this small town.” Victoria hefted her backpack.

They’d split their acquisitions evenly. Small electronics packed fairly efficiently, and they both had dry bags in their kayaks to wrap around their packs for added waterproofing for the trip back across the bay. All in all, they’d only been gone a couple of hours thus far.

She’d had...fun, actually. Adam was impressively creative when it came to assembling components for the less conventional aspects of their security enhancements. His delight in gathering electric tape and duct tape to hold together his other finds reminded her of a combination of MacGyver and The A-Team. He was younger than her, but he’d recognized the TV-show references. At least their age difference wasn’t so great that reruns couldn’t bridge the gap.

“People living on the island have to do for themselves in bad weather.” He walked at her side companionably, exchanging nods with the occasional local as they made their way back to the marina where they’d left their kayaks. “It’s not surprising that small electronics and hardware would be well stocked.”

“Maybe, but who’d have thought we’d find high-end surveillance equipment?” She had done a double take when they’d spotted those items. The price markup had been irritating, but the convenience of having them in hand immediately versus waiting on an order to be delivered had outweighed the cost difference.

“There’s a fair number of affluent people living here.” He shrugged. “Eclectic people with the funds to indulge in any number of hobbies, including spying over their neighbor’s wall. It’s not too hard to imagine.”

“Point taken.” She chuckled. “Safeguard could probably fulfill any number of small contracts optimizing security for private homes around here.”

Roland’s property had the advantage of large easements to give him added privacy. His land bordered a park on one side. The other property didn’t currently have an owner in residence. The situation afforded Roland with much more peace and quiet than many of the other homes on the island. The thought of all the neighbors peering at each other through the trees between their yards was both entertaining and just a little bit creepy.

“Before we head back, let’s have us a feed.” Adam pointed at a tiny cabin set at the edge of the water.

“There were any number of cafes and restaurants up on Winslow Way and Madison Ave.” She wasn’t sure why she was protesting except the little building looked more like a refurbished shack than an establishment for fine food. Besides, there’d been local wine to taste at some of the other restaurants.

“Aw now, don’t you ever look for the veritable hole-in-the-wall?” He turned toward her with a mock frown. “Any person who appreciates good food—not fancy, but good food—has to acknowledge that the hole-in-the-wall is the best place to go. Look at all the locals sitting out on the patio. It’s got to be worth it.”

She paused. He was right.

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