Undercover Elite (Undercover Elite Book 2) (13 page)

Thorn

“I’m not so sure about this idea,” Windy mutters as we climb into my SUV and buckle up. In light of my suspicions about Dr. Brinkley, I’ve decided to do some after-hours reconnaissance at the hospital, a sort of fact-finding mission. Windy is coming along tonight since she knows the floor plan like the back of her hand.

“You’ll do fine, baby. This is what I do for a living so I’ve got all the bases covered. I have full access to the building since you work there, and we’ll work fast. Normally I would have to break in to get Intel. Coming along with me will give you a firsthand look at what we do at
Undercover Elite
.” I lean over and kiss her, then start the car with a grin. “Hey, I’m an equal opportunity employer. Johnnie works by Cash’s side and it’s the best decision he ever made. Your psychological training could come in handy in my line of work, and I’d love to have you working by my side.” I don’t tell her, but there’s nothing that would please me more than having her work with me instead of Brinkley. The more research I do on this guy, the more convinced I am that there’s more to him than the professional façade he has created for the public.

“So now you want to hire me?” she asks.

“I may have to… if we find out your boss is crazy.”

“Well, you do have a point. So…not only do you make me feel safe from criminals, you offer me job security too. I’m starting to think you might be an asset as well.”

“Good to know, baby, because I don’t have any intention of letting you go. Not after last night.”

“And just now…” she adds softly. She woke up an hour ago when my tongue got busy reacquainting itself with her pussy before my cock joined the party as well. I can’t get enough of her. But there’s no time for that now, so I kiss her forehead and pull into traffic. At the next intersection, we stop for a red light. I eye my new partner and chuckle.

“What?” she asks suspiciously.

“You look like a cat burglar all dressed in black.”

“Hey…I don’t know how you guys dress for your top secret jobs. And, besides, I think I look pretty good in black.”

“That you do. And one thing’s for sure, none of the guys I work with fill out a tight sweater and jeans like you do.” I don’t bother to hide it as I check her out, remembering the lush curves she’s hiding under her clothes. I’m still reeling from the fact that all her sweet softness belongs to me now.

“I don’t know about that. My ass isn’t exactly petite,” she says with a grimace.
Oh, yeah, I need to straighten this shit out right now.

“Baby, I get hard just thinking about that juicy ass of yours.” I take her hand and place it on my erection so she can feel for herself the effect she has on me. “I’m telling you, it’s perfect. You’re all woman and I intend to worship every luscious inch of you until you believe me. And then I’ll do it again and again, just to remind you.” I raise her hand to my lips before I let it go and return my hand to the wheel.

“You’re sweet; now fill me in on the details of being a
cat burglar
as you so eloquently word it.”

“Your cell phone is your friend, Windy. It’s your connection to me if we get separated, so keep it on you at all times. Speaking of which, I’ll be getting you a new one that has some 007 features.”

“Oh, so you’re already assuming I’m working with you?”

“Of course. My woman is beautiful and brilliant, and I’m not letting any of it go to waste. Whether you’re working with me or not, you’ve inadvertently placed yourself in harm’s way by being connected to me, and that makes it more urgent to get to the bottom of whatever is happening at Our Lady.

“Now, as I was saying; your phone is your connection to me if we get separated. Don’t ever assume that won’t happen. Separation makes you vulnerable. Working with a team provides safety. Also, there’s tight security in the patient wings, not so much in the administrative office space, so that’s a point in our favor but tonight we’ll be wearing balaclavas, just in case. You’ll do fine, kiddo, just follow my lead. I won’t let anything bad happen to you. This should be a matter of easily getting in and out. When we’re done, we should have a better idea if there’s any truth to what that patient told you.”

Windy

For someone who follows rules and procedures to the letter, I’m surprised that I’m not scared as we park the SUV in an alley behind the building and walk stealthily to the back door. Then again, it isn’t like we’re breaking the law for the sake of criminal activity. I’m taking these extreme measures out of concern for the welfare of the patients who reside here. I also don’t want to make a false accusation if it ever comes to that. I need to be sure. Though I have my own misgivings about him, our overall work relationship is a good one. I don’t know that many bosses who would allow an employee to work on school assignments during office hours. Having my laptop right there on my desk every day has been a huge help already. I know not to put much stock in gossip, especially since many of these patients battle with paranoia as a symptom of the mental illness they suffer.

We’re in luck; the back door is propped open with a stray brick, probably for an early morning delivery that’s in progress. So we can enter the building discreetly but we’ll need to be extra careful to avoid being spotted. Thorn whispers from behind me, as I use my key to go into one of the back doors where deliveries are dropped off. “Don’t look up in the direction of the cameras,” he whispers, “and don’t talk above a whisper. You don’t want them identifying you by your voice.”

I nod my head as I open the door, to let him know I’ve heard him. As soon as we enter he takes the lead, based on the path I highlighted on the generic blueprint I drew for him earlier tonight. I’m surprised when he makes his way to my office in the darkened administrative office wing instead of the basement. I’d just assumed he would go straight to the basement. I’m learning not to assume anything with Thorn.

He goes over Dr. Brinkley’s desk with a fine tooth comb. He reads files, documents, and even his planner, before putting the items back precisely where they were. I’m relieved to see him doing so because my boss is OCD when it comes to his office. I forget sometimes because I see Thorn in a different light that just like my patients, Thorn is a killer, but in his case he is even more lethal, because Thorn is a trained assassin. The thought sends a chill through me.

He nods his head in my direction letting me know he’s ready to move on. This time he does make his way toward the basement. After I unlock the door leading to the staircase he stops me when I attempt to flip the light switch on. When Thorn retrieves his mag light from his vest, I follow suit. He’s provided me with a multi pocketed bullet proof vest that holds various tools of the trade like, mace, the small flashlight, and a stun gun. Even though I find it to be odd he insisted that I wear a bullet proof vest, I know Thorn well enough to know he doesn’t take anything for granted. Once again I find myself feeling protected by all the precautions he takes.

This is the first time I’ve been in the basement. The feeling is ominous as I wonder about what atrocities have possibly been carried out by my boss in this cavernous room.

Thorn’s voice is barely above a whisper as he speaks. “Always start in one corner of a room and work your way around; after it’s been cleared and you’ve determined no one is in it.” I walk behind him mimicking his moves and each step is a revelation. The place looks more like a bondage dungeon than a quiet padded room for a patient to be calmed.

A large cabinet along the wall contains various implements that could be used to restrain a potential victim. I stifle back a cry when I bump into a metal framed bed along the wall as we turn the corner. I am surprised to see that it has arm and leg restraints. If Dr. Brinkley has access to drugs and a room like this, anything is possible and none of it is good.

I direct my flashlight along the wall and I’m shocked when I realize every device in here is meant for subduing a patient. I don’t care if this is a mental ward or not, nothing warrants this kind of medieval treatment. Something is going on in this hospital and I have every intention of finding out what it is.

Dr. Brinkley

I push down the wave of rage as I watch Miss Fairchild and her odious boyfriend violate my space. None of the hospital employees are aware I have live surveillance feed tied into my home computer. If I’ve learned anything in my years of being a man in a powerful position, it’s to be in control at all times, and at all costs.

Now I understand why people feel violated when their home gets broken into. As these two rifle through my desk, a film of perspiration forms on my forehead and the top of my head tingles as my blood pressure soars. Yes, that’s exactly how I feel right now—violated. They should really be more careful; a man with my particular temperament is dangerous when he’s provoked.

Does this guy actually think wearing a mask will keep me from recognizing them? His size alone is enough to give him away. I would recognize the gait of my assistant anywhere, as well as the curve of her lovely backside, because I’ve studied them both from the day she walked into my office looking for a job.

It seems my employee has been a very bad girl. Now the only question is…what to do about it. After all I’ve done for her, taking her under my wing, this betrayal is how she repays me. Now she’s forced me into the position of having to hide it when she comes into work in the morning. I’ll manage it though. I’ve learned during the course of my career not only how to read people, but how to keep them from reading
me
.