Page 51 of Cipher

Later that afternoon, Bex returned to her coursework while I worked. The study stayed quiet until Bex cleared her throat and pulled my attention away from the screen.

“I want to go back to dispatch for the evening shift.”

I frowned. “No.”

“The system is mirrored, the privileged accounts are locked down, and the department needs experienced people inside while Dad sorts out who he can trust.” Her expression stayed calm because she had clearly prepared the argument rather than letting frustration lead it. “Besides, going back under controlled conditions might make whoever is doing this do something that helps us identify him.”

It was harder to argue when she fought with logic, but her safety would always overrule anything. “You’re asking me to put you inside the building where someone accessed your records, copied a garage credential, and tampered with your car.”

“I’m asking you to put me at my console with my dad in the building, you monitoring the network, and enough Black Castle Security people outside to invade a small country.” One corner of her mouth lifted. “I’m not asking to drive myself there and slip in through a window.”

“Good, because your SUV is still disabled,” I grumbled.

Her eyes narrowed. “We settled that last night.”

“Security stayed.” Only because I hadn’t removed the remote access yet. “Conversation improved.”

A blush moved through her face at the reminder of exactly how that conversation ended, but she refused to let me distract her. “Black Castle secured the system. I know the department’s rhythms, and you said my observations have helped.”

“They have.”

“You also told me you trust me.”

“I do.”

“Then trust that I’m not trying to prove anything by being reckless.” She leaned forward, her eyes steady on mine. “I’m asking to do the job I’m good at inside a plan you build. This is important to me, Corbin.”

I hated that she was right with an intensity usually reserved for active threats. Letting her go back would give us the chance to observe how the narrowed pool reacted to her return. She wasn’t demanding freedom from protection, she was asking me to make the protection strong enough for her to contribute.

“You don’t leave the secured communications floor without me, Raines, or one of my people.”

Her eyes brightened, but she didn’t interrupt.

“Don’t confront anyone, even if you recognize something. You tell me, and you let us handle it.” I held her gaze until I saw complete understanding. “And if I say the shift ends, you walk out without arguing.”

“Agreed.”

I sighed and called Raines to tell him what Bex wanted, listening to the sheriff release a weary breath that suggested he’d expected the fight before I did.

“She’s been texting me about staffing since breakfast,” he admitted.

“You didn’t mention that,” I growled, glaring at her.

“I raised her. You’re the one who claimed her.”

Bex could obviously hear her dad’s side of the conversation because she covered her laugh with one hand while I gave her a look that promised we would discuss the private campaign she had conducted behind my back later. “Can you control the shift?”

“Yes.” Raines paused, his tone becoming harder. “I want her there about as much as you do, but she’s right. Her return may shake something loose.”

“I know.”

“You sound pissed.”

“She’s right.”

“Yeah. That’ll do it.”

After I hung up, I tipped Bex’s face up with one finger beneath her chin. “If anything feels wrong, you call me before you decide whether it matters.”