again, Cade quietly said, "You shouldn't get
tough with people who are trying to help you. All the pictures are on my
laptop."
Mandi's cell phone chirped and she quickly answered it with her free hand,
not releasing Cade as she did so. Cade had no problem at all with being an inch
from her face. It allowed him to listen easily to both sides of the
conversation, which was rather short.
"I'll meet you in 422," said John. "Five minutes. Here's Alan. Tell him what
you know to get the ball rolling."
"Hi, Angel," said Alan. "What have you got for me?"
"Nothing," said Cade. "I'm the one with the info."
He reached for the phone and Mandi let him take it as she finally released
his jacket, then he gave Alan particulars about the kid who'd taken the pictures
and the names of those who'd bought the pictures at WNN.
"Is that everything you've got on them?" asked Alan.
"That's it," said Cade. "If I think of anything else, I've got your number."
"Okay, thanks. Put Angel back on."
Cade handed the phone back to Mandi and heard Alan say in a rather intense
tone, "Angel, we don't know this guy from Adam. He's just a part-time reserve
asset that John called in to fill the ranks for this op. I think you should
stick to him until we know that we know all he knows."
With a laugh, Cade said, "The 'part time reserve asset' isn't exactly
unhappy with that idea."
"Aw, shit!" said Alan. "He can hear me?"
Somewhat acidly, Mandi asked, "Alan, do you have any other shining pearls of
wisdom and advice?"
"Uh... No. Sorry."
"Later, then. Bye."
Hefting his backpack as Mandi tapped her phone off and put it away, Cade
grinningly offered her his arm and asked, "Shall we go, milady?"
Mandi shot him a glare and said, "Yes," as she started walking. Cade
followed at a slight distance, the better to eyeball her backside and legs as
she marched ahead. Mandi abruptly stopped and waited for him to catch up, her
slight glare unabated.
"Great legs, ma'am," said Cade. "Great everything, really."
She made no reply as she walked beside him. At 422, he let them in and left
the door slightly ajar for John, then took his coffee mug to the sink and began
making a fresh cup.
"Want to try some of my instant coffee?" he asked.
"No." As an afterthought, she added, "Thanks, anyway, but we came here to
see some pictures."
Cade glanced in the mirror. Mandi was standing in t