39

I reached out and picked the paper up. I kept my face blank as I read the news article depicting Lea’s and Cecily’s kidnapping and Cecily’s death.
When did you find this ? I fought to steady my voice.
Four days ago.
So the day before you confronted Lea in the dining room ?
I wanted to be perfectly clear on the date.
Yes.
What time ?
That evening, after you took her out.
I made a mental note, piecing together a time line.
Let’s go. I grasped Tara by her arms and helped her stand.
I’m sorry Carter.
I ignored the whispered apology and opened the door to the interrogation room. Darrell was standing silently against the opposite wall and I nodded at him before handing Tara over.
Take her to medical and then to her room. She is on lock down until further notice.
Tara cringed as I spoke. She loved to be center of attention, but I refused to have what happened between her and Lea cause any more disruptions to the house. Putting her on lock down would help ease the house back into some semblance of order.
Do you want a guard on her ?
No. Darrell raised his eyebrow at me. I swiped my hand down my face and explained She knows what will happen if she misbehaves and disobeys.
I watched the two disappear through the doors to the medical wing and let out a low sigh. I looked down to the article crumpled in my hand and made my way to the security room.
Boss, Tony looked up from the wall of monitors as I walked in.
Our security system was the best on the market. Cameras with heat and night vision, two way intercoms, and fingerprint recognition were just a few features that we had invested in.
I laid the article in front of Tony and watched as he read it over. Once he was finished, he met my questioning eyes.
Where did it come from ? I asked as he looked back down and scanned the article a second time.
Tony shook his head as he held my gaze, I don’t know Boss. I can run some diagnostics on the ink and paper. Get a brand and manufacturer. Then I might be able to trace down where it was printed.
He picked the paper up and turned it over in his hand, scanning a third time before laying it back down.
There is no web address printed on the article. I knew the look he had on his face, the missing detail was something of importance.
What does that matter ?
Tony turned to the computer and quickly typed in a security code and then the information he needed to find the article on the web. He clicked on a few buttons and the printer spit out a sheet of paper. He laid it beside the article Tara had handed me and turned them both at an angle so that I could have a better view.
Look at the two Boss. What do you see ?
The article Tony printed out had the news site’s link on the bottom, along with the date and time it was printed. The article Tara had handed me didn’t. The style of lettering was also different, the ink was broken and looked as if it had been imprinted onto the paper instead of being smooth and heat pressed.
How is that possible ? I ran my fingers over the two sheets of paper as I thought.
Someone had to type it out, Boss. The font on the printout Tara gave you is from a typewriter.
I thought those things were obsolete ? I stood and started pacing the room.
After the NSA was accused of spying on our allies, the typewriter manufactures have seen a significant increase in the sales of the machines. No one wants to be caught with their hands in someone else’s pants so to speak.
Tara said that she found the note on her floor four nights ago, after I took Lea out. Pull up the footage for the baiter’s quarters and the corridors leading to and from there. Start with the time Tara left her room that morning.
Tony spun around and keyed in a different set of codes and then scrolled through a list of dates and locations, choosing the ones that would pull up the requested images.
It may take a little while Boss.
How long ?
I can’t say for sure, but I can speed it up just a bit and call you if something shows up.
No, I’ll watch with you.
Tony shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the chair beside him. Suit yourself, Boss.
* * * * * * * * *
I slammed my hands on the desk in front of me and stood. We had watched hours of footage and gotten nothing from it.
Keep looking. I’ll be in the gym if something comes up.
Tony nodded as he continued to watch the monitors.
I made my way to the gym and stopped outside the doors, taking a deep breath before pulling them open. Lynx and Lea were in the middle of the sparing ring, Miller on the outside of it. I slipped to the far end of the room and watched silently as Lea and Lynx faced off.
I didn’t sign up for this. Lea’s voice was tight and clipped.
Neither did we, but here we are. Now, get in position. Hands up, feet squared. Lynx watched as Lea did as directed. Good, now slide your left foot forward, there. Even with an injury you are going to have to know how to defend yourself. But for now, we are going to stick with the basics.
Miller quietly moved from the ring and leaned against the wall beside me.
She is a handful, Boss.
So, I’ve been told. I watched as Lynx showed Lea how to make a proper fist and explain to her that if she tucked her thumb under her fingers, she would end up breaking it.
She’s been giving us hell from day one, refusing to do anything until Lynx threatened to call for you.
It’s her way of protecting herself, to keep anyone from getting close.
Because of what happened to her sister ?
I tensed at Miller’s question. Yes. How do you know about that ?
Miller shrugged nonchalantly, The entire house is talking about Tara accusing Lea of being the reason her sister died, that what Tara said to Lea is why Lea attacked her.
Shit, I hissed the word and pushed off the wall and made my way to the mat.
Good, but don’t drop your shoulder as you step in. Keep yourself squared. You want to stay closed off as much as possible. Lynx was adjusting Lea’s stance and positioning her hands to effectively ward off a block to the torso.