King and Maxwell (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 6)

“Ordinary web shorthand,” said Edgar, sounding

surprised. “Initial letter based with straightforward extrapolation intended. I thought you would know.”

“I missed that class,” said Michelle.

“Me too,” added Sean quickly. “Along with all math and science courses.”

“It means ‘I am sorry, please forgive me,’ ” said Edgar.

Sean and Michelle exchanged a glance.

“Does that help?” asked Edgar.

“It certainly doesn’t hurt,” said Sean.

CHAPTER

17

SEAN AND MICHELLE HAD JUST RETURNED TO their office when the phone rang.

It was Peter Bunting, head of a large defense contracting firm and Edgar Roy’s employer.

And the man was a little upset.

Sean actually held the phone away from his ear as Bunting’s screams poured out.

“Who exactly are we talking about, Mr. Bunting?” Sean asked when the man stopped to take a breath.

Bunting said something and Sean nodded. “Okay, we will look into this. And I’m sorry.”

Bunting yelled something and hung up.

Sean turned to Michelle.

“What was that all about?”

“DoD just came and yanked Edgar Roy from his office.”

“What? Why?” exclaimed Michelle.

“Cause and effect apparently.”

“Meaning we were the cause?”

Sean nodded. “Because of the timing Bunting can’t think of any other reason he would’ve been snatched, and I tend to agree with him. Edgar told him of our meeting.” He added, “Bunting’s a little mad right now.”

“I could hear. What did he say right before he hung up?”

“Something about damaging my testicles, although he used a less polite term.”

Michelle plopped into her desk chair and glanced at the door. “Should we be prepared for invasion too?”

“Edgar Roy is employed by a government contractor and thus technically works for the government. He did us a favor on government time. They may be able to ding him a little for that but there’s no way they’ll keep him locked up somewhere. He’s too valuable an asset.”

“Which doesn’t really answer my question. We’re not that valuable. So they wouldn’t have a problem locking us up and throwing away the key.”

“We’re also not employed by the government. And there’s the little issue of habeas corpus. That still means something in this country.”