“You don’t have to. If you want, I can tell Mr. Mauer in a day or two that you’ve helped me all you can and that will be that. No harm, no foul.” Powers picked up the printouts. “I’ve been through these three times, and they aren’t telling me anything.” He dropped them to the desk in frustration.

  “No, I’ll help you.” Devon lifted his gaze and sat straighter in the chair. “This is the right thing to do. Mr. Mauer hired me to do what was best for the firm, and I’m going to do that.” He reached for the report. “Where do you want me to start?”

  “I’ve been looking at the programs we found the specification pages from, and I haven’t found anything that even looked out of the ordinary to me.”

  Devon set the printouts on his lap. “I really wish we could get into that flash drive we found and see what was on it. The printouts are just the cover pages. We talked about that. Those aren’t very telling in among themselves.” Devon scratched his head lightly. “What I don’t understand is that we have basically nothing at this point. What made Mr. Mauer think the banking system was compromised? I guess I assumed that something had been found that indicated a security breach.”

  Powers sighed, unlocking the drawer in the desk and pulling out a file. “Mr. Mauer asked that these not leave the building, so I keep them locked up.” He passed the file over to Devon. “The first page is a copy of the letter that was received at the firm.”

  “Someone was blackmailing Mr. Mauer?”

  “Basically they wanted him to pay up or they’d sell the designs. He and the firm have spent millions developing this system. The beauty of it is that it allows the funds to be tracked and makes it harder for money to be shuttled from place to place. Banks want it so they can make sure they aren’t being used to launder money, and the government wants it for the same reason. I don’t understand the details of how it’s done, but it has to do with electronic markers of some kind that actually stay with the funds for a period of time.” The technical details weren’t really his forte.

  “That would be huge,” Devon said and took the other page. “These are the same types of things that we found in the envelope. More specification cover pages.”

  “It was enough to get Mr. Mauer to call us. I arrived and got wind of the drop through a contact who seems to know a lot about these things, and that’s how I encountered you.” Powers sat on the desk. “That’s why I thought you were involved.” He met Devon’s gaze for much longer than was necessary. “Not that I’m really very sorry.”

  “You liked making me shake in my boots?” Devon asked, his lips forming a scowl.

  “No. Because otherwise I never would have met you.” Powers turned away and cleared his throat. He wasn’t used to revealing things about himself. During investigations, he spent his time digging up things about other people. He didn’t talk about himself.

  “Oh.” Devon was still smiling at him. “Then let’s see what we can find out. You know all of the so-called proof that they actually have the system could be gathered out of the recycling bins. I bet if we go there right now, we could find specification printouts. I’d say someone was trying to trick Mr. Mauer into paying up if it wasn’t for the envelope that ended up in my bag or the way they tried to get it back this morning.”

  “True. There isn’t much to go on. We were able to eliminate some of your coworkers, but not the other people in the office,” Powers said.

  “The fingerprint thing is a dead end. We aren’t going to identify anyone that way.” Devon set the printouts aside and stood. “Once we have an actual idea who is behind this, then we can use the fingerprints to confirm it. But I don’t think it’s going to work the other way around.” He ran his hand behind his neck.

  Powers nodded his agreement and sighed. Devon was right. The fingerprinting had been a good idea, but wasn’t getting them very far. If they could get them from everyone in the office, they might have a shot.

  “Have you talked to the administrator of the development control system? John Hunter has been with the company almost since it started. If he’s trying to steal the system, then he’s probably stolen every single one since we began here and he’d have been caught long ago. It can’t be him. Most systems have some sort of administrator access, especially older ones, and that access gives the user the ability to do just about anything, including change the system configuration.” Devon met his gaze. “Maybe someone was able to break in using the admin access, took copies of what they wanted, altered the logs, and then left the system. It could be that easy. The information could be put on a portable hard drive, slipped into a bag, and carried out of the office. John would know if there is such access and the ramifications of it.”

  “The software company says that it’s impossible for that to happen,” Powers said as Devon shook his head.

  “Nothing is impossible. They don’t want to think it is, but that doesn’t make it a fact. I know people who could figure out a way to do what I described. They’re hackers at heart. Nowadays they make their living working for security firms and such to try to keep out guys like them, but I bet it could be done. Especially if you had a guy who was an expert at it.”

  Powers leaned forward. “Do you think we could talk to your contact? Maybe he knows something. Everyone has networks and folks they know. They also hear things.” It was worth a shot.

  “Okay. I’ll see if he’ll talk to us.” Devon went back to looking through the records. “You know, you’re right. This shows us that everything is perfect and…. Maybe it is. There is nothing out of the ordinary here as far as I can see.” He handed back the printouts. “It’s a clear picture of developers checking out programs and then checking them back in. Without going through each one, I couldn’t tell if someone got to a program they shouldn’t have or not.”

  “Yeah… me too.” Powers sat behind the desk and motioned for Devon to come closer.

  He moved the chair up. “You know. If I was going to try to pull off something like this, I’d gather the specs I needed, maybe a few programs. Then maybe I’d test out my method on some system no one is really paying much attention to. See if I could get in and out of the system without being detected. Then… once I had a buyer, I’d take what I wanted, breach security, cover my tracks… and no one is the wiser.” Devon smiled and picked up the report again. “I’d go after something like the….” He paused as he looked over the report again. “The HR system. It has the same type of development security. The programs themselves aren’t sensitive. It’s the HR data that everyone makes sure is locked down six ways to Sunday.” He smiled. “Look here. A bunch of programs were downloaded seven days ago. No changes were made, according to the system, and then they were checked back in.” He handed over the pages. “Find out who did it. That’s your next lead.”

  Powers’s heart beat faster. “This could be it. A trial run of sorts.”

  “Yeah. From the look of things, the actual information on the bank transfer system hasn’t been breached yet. Someone’s playing a game, and it isn’t a very smart one.”

  “Because they left just enough bread crumbs for someone—you—to follow. They might not lead to the guilty party, but whoever sent this note was really stupid. Now we know what they’re after, and it’s likely they don’t have their hands on it yet. Which means….” Powers leaned forward. “That they don’t actually work on the system, but believe they can get it.” He grinned. That was good news, at least for now.

  “Yeah, it is. They could audit the admin function to ensure that no one has access who shouldn’t. Make a production of a security sweep. That could scare whoever is doing this into thinking twice.”

  Powers doubted that was going to do it. “Do you think that anyone who would have someone try to steal your bag on the subway is going to be deterred by a security sweep? They’ll wait until it’s over and then put their plan into action. The best way to stop this is to find out who they are and remove them.”

  “Yeah. I’ll call my friend and see if he can meet us at my house. Maybe he can give us a direction to follow.” Devon sat back and smiled. “I wish I could be more help.”

  “Are you kidding? You’re doing great. And for what it’s worth, Lucy pretty much said she thought that same thing when I talked to her a while ago. That the real theft hadn’t happened yet.” He could always count on her for some additional insight, and with Devon drawing the same conclusion, then maybe they had time before things became dire. It was hard to tell what the time frame was to put this to bed, but Powers was willing to bet the timeline was days… not much longer. “I’ll see what the word is on the street as well.”

  They both needed to make some calls. Powers figured Devon would want some privacy, so he excused himself and left the office to use the restroom. Then he placed a call to Lucy for an update.

  “I got the things you asked for,” she told him as soon as she answered. “Are you going to Devon’s tonight?”

  “Yeah. Meet us there about seven thirty, and we can all compare notes and figure out where we go from here.” He filled her in quickly on what they were doing, making sure he wasn’t overheard. When he returned to the office, Devon was on his way out.

  “I’m going to my desk to check on some things. Do you want to meet me there? My call was a success,” he said and hurried away.

  Powers finished up what he needed to, locked things away, and went down one floor to Devon’s desk. The area was largely deserted, and Devon was packing his bag. When Powers approached, he smiled and nodded, looking toward his bag. Apparently the envelope had been retrieved.

  “We can go now.”

  “Excellent,” Powers said, and they headed for the exit. They stayed together, heading for the subway, riding to Devon’s apartment, not talking much… at least not until they were behind doors that locked. “So it’s gone.”

  “Yup.”

  “Excellent. Lucy will be here in about half an hour. She was collecting some background for me. What time is your friend arriving?”

  “Alexander will be here at eight tomorrow night. He can’t stay too long, but he said he’d do his best to help us. He’s familiar with the system we use and is certain he can show us how they might get what they want.” Devon started toward the bedroom. “Let me go change into something more comfortable.” He turned and then snickered. “Did I actually just say that?”

  Powers laughed slightly. “Yeah, go on and change. I need to get out of all these clothes too.” He pulled at his tie and took off the jacket, laying it over the back of one of the chairs. Once he’d loosened his shirt collar, he sat on the sofa with a soft sigh. Powers probably should have stopped at home before coming here, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. He’d done it once already, and Devon had been mugged. He’d kicked himself over that for so many reasons. First, that Devon might have been hurt, and second, because if he had been there, he might have been able to get his hands on the guy and possibly get some information out of him. As it was, he wasn’t any closer to the answers he needed, and all they really had were some theories on what had happened and could possibly happen next.

  “I don’t have very much in the house. I need to go to the store.”

  Powers checked his watch. “We have time, and there’s a Whole Foods near my place. We could go there, and you could shop while I change.”

  Devon flopped down next to him. “I can’t afford Whole Paycheck.” He turned away. “Living in the city is more expensive than I thought it would be….”

  “I suppose that’s true. It isn’t like we can dash down to the Giant and do our shopping.”

  “Nope. But if you need to go get changed and stuff, I’m going to be fine here. There’s a market down the block, and I can get what I need there. You said your sister will be here at seven thirty, so that gives you enough time.”

  “You sure?” Powers asked, trying not to let the butterflies in his belly get the better of him.

  “Of course. I’ll be fine. They have what they wanted and will leave me alone now. I should be out of it, like you said.” Devon did seem happier, and he sat a little straighter, without the stoop in his shoulders.

  Powers nodded but didn’t get up. Watching Devon was so much more enjoyable than going home to change clothes or just about anything else he could be doing right now. When Devon turned, their gazes locked, and Powers felt as though all the air had been sucked out of the room.

  “Is something wrong?” Devon asked.

  “No. I was just thinking… you could have been hurt this morning… and I hated that.”

  “I was just frightened. He didn’t try to hurt me or anything. He only wanted the bag.” Devon didn’t turn away. “I’m sorry I got so overemotional. Everyone tells me that I get overwrought all the time and need to learn to control myself better.”

  Powers reached for Devon’s hand, sliding his fingers along Devon’s long, graceful digits. “Don’t be. I liked that you called me and that I could help.” He blinked once, willing Devon to hold his gaze. “I should have been with you.”

  Devon tightened the hold. “No. I have to learn to take care of myself. I should have just let him have the bag.”

  “It scared me when I thought you might be hurt.” Powers leaned closer, moving slowly, unsure of how Devon would react. He was usually decisive and took charge of things like this. He’d been with plenty of guys, and a little forwardness and aggression usually got him what he wanted. But with Devon it was different. He didn’t just want him—Powers wanted Devon to want him too. He stopped a few inches from Devon, holding his gaze, waiting, willing Devon to make the last move.

  It took a few seconds, and then Devon eased closer. Powers slipped his fingers through Devon’s silky hair as their lips met. Damn, Devon tasted amazing, and it took all of Powers’s willpower not to deepen the kiss too quickly. Instead, he savored the sensation, letting his tongue explore Devon’s lips until he parted them, pressing more closely together.

  “Am I a bad kisser?” Devon asked, pulling away suddenly.

  Powers blinked, wondering what had happened and if he’d done something wrong. “God no.” He chuckled as he cradled Devon’s head in his hand. “Why?”

  “I was told once that I kissed like a dead fish, and I thought….” He quivered, and Powers closed the distance between them, cutting off Devon’s babble. There was definitely no fish in this kiss, just energy and enough magnetic attraction to keep Powers right where he was for as long as Devon would let him. He slid closer, holding Devon tighter, their heat blending, Devon shaking a little even as he clutched at him, holding Powers tightly.

  “They lied,” Powers told him after catching his breath, then returning to the feast that was Devon’s lips, pressing him back against the cushions. Instinct took over, and Powers wanted more.

  Devon’s confidence built quickly, and he returned Powers’s kiss with equal passion, pressing against him, making soft humming noises that enflamed Powers something terrible. He ached for him. Two nights of lying on this damned sofa, thinking of Devon and then waking up next to him, had his entire body on a heightened state of arousal for hours.

  Powers pulled back, breathing deeply, blinking as he drew himself out of the Devon-induced haze. “Wow, they definitely lied.” He straightened up and wiped his lips as he tugged Devon back to a seated position.

  Devon smiled. “Then why did you stop?”

  “Because if I didn’t, I was going to go too far.” Powers needed a chance to think rather than act impulsively, even though every fiber in him urged him to take what he wanted. That was his usual behavior, but nothing about Devon was usual… at least not for him. Heart still pounding, Powers stood. “I should go change my clothes.” There was no way he could stay in the room at the moment—Devon was too much temptation. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, I promise. Call me if anything unusual happens, and I’ll get back here as quickly as I can.”

  “Hey,” Devon said as Powers pulled open the door.

  Powers stopped and turned back to Devon, his lips red, his fingers grazing over them. Powers groaned, knowing he shouldn’t leave like this. He stepped back to Devon and lightly kissed him again. “I’ll be back as fast as I can.” Then he turned and left, desperately needing a little distance.

  Chapter 5

  DEVON CHECKED the hallway to make sure it was empty, then hurried out of the building and walked briskly down the sidewalk and around the corner to the local shops. The grocery store wasn’t big, but it had everything he needed and some things he wanted. Devon grabbed a basket on his way in and made a pass through the produce section, getting the basics for a salad. He also got a loaf of bread and some things for sandwiches. Then he decided to tackle the difficult question: What to get for dinner? He was a basic cook at best. He didn’t want anything prepackaged. Powers had cooked for him, and Devon wanted to try returning the favor.

  His heart skipped a beat as he thought of Powers’s smile. When the guy frowned or scowled, he could appear menacing, no doubt about that. But when he smiled, it was like the sun came out from behind a cloud.

  Meat was always expensive, and Devon didn’t want to make hamburgers. He’d thought of steaks of some sort, but there was nothing on sale. “Maybe chicken,” he said out loud, and picked up a package of cut-up wings. His mom used to make oven-baked wings, and now Devon wished he knew how she’d made them. Thinking about her made him sad. He set the package back in the case, drawn to the end of the meat counter by an amazing scent. He walked down to where a man was putting out packages of fried chicken.

  “Can I keep it warm?” Devon asked.

  “Put it in an oven at about two hundred. They won’t dry out unless you try to hold them that way too long.” He offered Devon a package, and Devon put it in his basket.

  He picked up one of the stay-warm bags they had hanging nearby, made a pass down the drink aisle, and quickly got the last of what he needed. There wasn’t a line at the checkout, and then he hurried home, getting inside the apartment and locking the door. Only when he paused did he realize how tense he was, wishing Powers was back already.