Alien in the House

presentable, we left the room.
    Everyone was out there, waiting, looking worried or expectant, or both. “Everyone okay?” Gower asked.
    “Yes,” Naomi said. “Kitty and I are both sorry we had a fight in front of you, I was being a jerk, she’s sorry she hurt my feelings by telling me the truth, and Nathalie wants to help us look for clues.”
    “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Tito said.
    “Not a problem,” Naomi said cheerfully. “You and Magdalena can come down with us to watch Nathalie and help dig through the trash.”
    Tito looked at me. “Seriously?”
    “Yeah. I told you this job was going to be all you could ask for and more.”



CHAPTER 89
    M Y FIGHT WITH NAOMI had taken up a nice chunk of time. We went downstairs, choked some food down, then the others got back to the business of searching for stuff. Oliver and the boys had brought Adriana over from the Romanian Embassy, possibly to help prevent me and Naomi from killing each other, but she was helping dig through our “clues” with good cheer.
    Sent another text to Caroline, just out of pathetic optimism. Pathetic optimism was shown to be a sap as the automated response came back. Didn’t they even go to the bathroom during these things?
    Thusly foiled from getting any in-the-know answers yet again, trotted upstairs to say good-bye to Dad and Jamie. It was still obvious I’d been crying, but Dad didn’t mention it and happily, neither did Jamie. She was ready for bed, so I sang her a song using the stuffed eagle, tucked her in, kissed her good night, then changed clothes.
    It had been far too many days spent in heels and nice dresses. I was going to a late-night rendezvous and needed to be properly attired. Aerosmith thermal, jeans, and my Converse on, hair pulled back in a ponytail, Glock and clips in my purse along with all the rest of my usual paraphernalia, and I was just about ready to go.
    “I need a shorter coat or jacket or whatever. The trench is great, but in case I need to run, I’d like to be able to do so while still staying warm,” I said to the hamper. Backed out of the closet and closed the door. Opened the door and walked back in. There was a nice, shearling-lined, suede jacket—lining was white, suede was black. Maybe it was the Elves who drove the A-Cs’ slavish devotion to white and black.
    Chose not to ponder. Grabbed the jacket. “Thanks again, you guys rock.”
    Gave Dad another hug and kiss and then went back downstairs. My team was ready, White and Raj in their suits and trench coats, Rahmi and Rhee in all black, slacks and sweaters, but no coats. True to expectations and my threats, they both had battle staffs. Where they’d hidden them on arrival, I had no idea, but I was happy to see them tonight.
    “You all can take your coats off,” Gower said. “The Kevlar’s here.”
    “Oh, right.” Had forgotten we were all going decked out. Followed Gower into the salon where our body armor was waiting. “Paul, I count six vests, not five.”
    “You count correctly,” he said as he took a vest. “I’m going with you.”
    “Um, James expressly told you to stay here.”
    “He did. But as the Pontifex, not only am I part of Alpha Team, but it’s also my duty to watch over my people. You need me along, and I mean you, specifically, Kitty.”
    “Just because I got into a verbal chick fight with your sister doesn’t mean you need to be at risk.”
    Gower shrugged. “I feel it’s important I go, so I’m going.”
    Was tempted to ask him what ACE thought, but didn’t think he deserved it. Gower wanted to kick butt, I was sure, but maybe he was right. I hadn’t lost it like that with someone I liked in a very long time.
    “Fine. But I’m in charge on this one.”
    Gower grinned. “Kitty, in all the time I’ve known you, when
haven’t
you been in charge?”
    “Good point.”
    We all went off, changed, and came back. It was hard to tell that anyone was wearing a bulletproof vest, which was the point. Quick discussion about how we were going to get there. Len and Kyle felt we should let them drive us over. Hacker International suggested we use a gate.
    “We have more maneuverability if we run,” Raj said. “We all have hyperspeed, so it shouldn’t be an issue.”
    “Let’s get going and get there, then. I don’t want to be late.”
    “We have plenty of time,” White said.
    “Yeah, but I just feel like we need to get going.”
    “Maybe you’re still upset,” Gower