9:30 p.m.

Had to give this guy kudos. He was smarter than I thought. Two could play this game, though. I launched a “man in the middle” attack of my own. Basically, that meant I impersonated the fake cell tower the hacker used to misinterpret the data being sent to the car’s cellular network, only I allowed the correct data through, thereby blocking the hacker’s control. This also allowed me a peek at his cell tower information. Big mistake.

In a nutshell, ECUs inherently trusted any cellular base stations—called BTS in the tech. world—in order to be able to communicate with its back-end system. In this case, Ford manufacturers who remotely pushed data to the system through cell tower signals. What the hacker did was to create a rogue BTS for a “man in the middle” attack by intercepting the messages between the ECU and the back-end servers. The reason I had Nadine stay close to Levaughn’s car was so my signal would gain strength. As a rule, vehicles and cell phones automatically connected to the strongest signal.

Which told me something else about the hacker. Because he didn’t use a Trojan horse for the Pennsylvania attacks like he did with the out-of-state hacks, he must be a local. Otherwise, he’d have no guarantee the car would connect to his signal.

Within minutes, the Crown Vic reduced speed.

Nadine slammed on the brakes, and I bounced off the back of the passenger seat. “What the hell? Little warning woulda been nice.”

She didn’t speak. Behind the wheel, the jeep’s tires inches from the end of the wall, her upper cheek and right eye twitched.

The Crown Vic coasted to the side of the road. I whipped open the back door and leaped off the stone wall. Landed with a thud, my knees barely absorbing the blow before I sprinted down the yellow line, separating the dark lanes. Patrol cars swerved to avoid me. I didn’t care. My complete focus narrowed on Levaughn, who didn’t move from the driver’s seat. By the time I caught up to him and swung open the driver’s door, all coloring drained from his face.

I squatted beside the seat. “You okay?”

He nodded yes.

“Are you injured? Please look at me.”

When he turned his head his watery eyes gazed downward, and ripped the heart from my chest. I smoothed a hand over his short-cropped hair. “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

A tear trickled down his cheek.

“C’mon.” I slid my arm behind his back and urged him out of the driver’s seat. “I know you’re frazzled, but you need to get out.” In all the time we’d been together, I’d never seen him so shaken, his legs wobbly and unsteady. I helped him to the curb. “Sit here. The ambulance should be along any second.”

Without warning, he pulled me into his strong arms, embracing me with the intensity of a grieving widow. In a voice no louder than a whisper, he said, “I never thought I’d see you again.”

The magnitude of the situation finally hit me, and my cheekbone trembled against his firm chest. “I love you so much. I know I don’t tell you enough, but I do.”

“Marry me.”

I jerked away. “What?”

“Marry me, Shawnee. I mean it. I don’t want to live another second without you.”

Marriage? Me? “Ask me later. After what you’ve been through, you’re not thinkin’ clearly.”

“I am, though. I’ve never felt more certain about anything in my life.”

“But you almost died.”

“I know. A near-death experience does something to a man. It makes him reevaluate what’s important in his life.” Lowering to the curb, he dragged me on to his lap. “I love you, Shawn Daniels. You’ve got me, right here.” He pounded a closed fist against his heart. “I think I’ve always loved you. From the first moment I strolled into the computer lab at RPD and you stared up at me with those smoldering electric eyes, I knew I was in deep trouble.”

Circling us, patrol cars skidded to a stop. An ambulance pulled in behind the cruisers, and two EMTs jumped out. As uniformed cops neared, none of them looked happy about me adding to the chaotic car chase. In retrospect, I probably didn’t handle the situation as well as I should have, but Levaughn’s life was on the line. Nothing else mattered.

The paramedics rolled a gurney on to the sidewalk. Levaughn glanced over his shoulder, and said, “Thanks, guys, but I’m fine.”

“Not for nothin’, babe, you really should get checked out. You might have a concussion or somethin’.” There must be some reason why he asked me to marry him all of a sudden. As much as longed to believe every word he’d said, I couldn’t take the chance that he had swelling on the brain. Lord knows I’d given him more than enough ammunition to never journey down the road of life everlasting. Hell, half the time I was surprised he didn’t dump my sorry ass. And now this? He got taken for a hell ride because of me. What sane person would want to marry the woman who almost got him killed? I lie. I steal. I swear. Not exactly the personality traits one looks for in a wife. Besides, what if he then wanted a family?

After the night we’d had, it was all too much to handle. Maybe the dawn would shed a clearer perspective. Even better, once I caught this asshole, I might better grasp what the future had in store. For now, I wrote off his proposal as a heat-of-the-moment thing.

First on scene officers, Hammer and Tolito, insisted Levaughn let the paramedics take him to the hospital. They further promised to tow the Crown Vic to their impound lot free of charge as a courtesy from one cop to another.

Inside the ambulance, Levaughn pressed his full lips to mine. “Think about what I said.”

“I’ll meet you at the hospital. Okay?” When I straightened, he snagged my hand.

“I mean it, Shawnee. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“I…uh…better go check on Nay. Last I saw, she was a nervous wreck.”

“Is anything I’m saying sinking in?”

“Of course.” Behind me, the paramedic cleared his throat, announcing his presence. With a quick glance back, I hushed in Levaughn’s ear, “If you still mean it after the doctors confirm you don’t have a head injury, then ask me again.” I gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

Out the back I jumped down to the asphalt, then stood motionless as the ambulance launched into high gear, lights spiraling colors into the blackness.

As expected, Nadine was practically comatose by the time I reached the jeep. Uniformed cops swarmed her from all sides as though she was the main suspect in the hacker case. I elbowed my way through to the driver’s door. “Excuse us, fellas. We need to get back to the hotel. Don’t you guys have anything better to do than harass a clearly-shaken civilian?” With an arm around Nadine’s waist, I assisted her to the passenger side. You would’ve thought the hacker sent her over a cliff by the way she carried on.

“Maybe I should go to the hospital too.”

“Seriously, Nay? Stop being such a drama queen and get in the jeep. I’ll drop you at the hotel.”

“Y’mean, you’re not stayin’ with me?”

“No. I’ve gotta check on Levaughn.” I hustled around the back bumper to my door and slipped behind the wheel. After I banged a U-turn by the railroad tracks, which Nadine yammered about, I snaked in and out of the cruisers who took their sweet ass time leaving the ramp.

“What’s up?” asked Nadine. “Why are you all smiles?”

“I’m not.”

“You’re positively glowing. Spill.”

“Nothin’ much. Levaughn asked me to marry him, is all.”

She backhanded my upper arm. “Shut. Up.”

“He did.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“Did you say yes?”

“Not exactly.”

Again, she slapped me. “Are you insane? That man adores you.”

“It’s bad enough we’re in a relationship. Cat burglars don’t marry cops, no matter how hot they are.”

“Computer forensic specialists do. Besides, you left that life long ago.” Her hand shielded her gaping mouth. “Don’t even tell me you’re up to your old tricks again. You promised me. Heck, you promised Levaughn.”

“I’m not. I swear.” No matter how many times I explained I was helping people in a Robin Hood sort of way, she didn’t believe me. My past history permanently stained her view of me, and no amount of talking could change that fact.

“Then I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t you say yes?”

“Actually, I didn’t say anything.”

“You left that poor man hangin’? That’s even worse.”

At the Westin Convention Center I banged a left into the parking garage, corkscrewed up three floors, and coasted into the last available space. The farthest you could possibly get from the elevators, I might add.

Before I got out I swiveled to face Nadine. “What if he hit his head? After the hell he’s been through, how can I trust anything he says?”

Nadine rolled her lips. “Please. You’re just lookin’ for a reason to say no. I don’t know who ever told you you don’t deserve happiness, but they’re wrong.” She got out and slammed the door. Over the roof, she grinned. “Who’s gonna be your maid of honor?”

“Cut the crap. Let’s make sure he’s thinkin’ clearly before we discuss wedding plans. C’mon, I’ll walk you to the room.”

She jogged to keep up with me. “Yeah, but if he did mean it, who do you want standing by your side?”

“I was thinkin’ of askin’ Levaughn’s sister.”

“Oh.”

When I stopped short to tell her I was kidding, she plowed into the back of me. “Thanks for the flat tire.”

“Sorry.”

Could her head hang any lower? “Nay, look at me.” I waited for her gaze to meet mine. “Do you really think I’d get married without my best friend?”

She threw her arms around my neck, practically choking me half to death. I patted her back. “Okay, okay. Don’t get all mushy on me. We don’t even know if he meant it yet.”

“He meant it. Mark my words.” Arms swinging, she skipped the remaining few yards to the elevator. Literally skipped. To be honest, I half-expected her to belt out, “The hills are alive with the sound of music.” Thankfully, that didn’t happen.

In the elevator a wide grin plastered her lips. One might think she won the lottery by the faraway look in her eyes, probably daydreaming about Levaughn converting me into an upstanding member of society.

Outside the room, I slid the keycard in the lock. Since my arrival I hadn’t gotten to spend much time in the sweet digs. Out the corner of my eye I spotted a card on the bed and picked it up. “What’s this?”

“Oh, right. The maid left that for you.”

Dear Shawnee,

Welcome to the Westin Pittsburgh. We are delighted to have you. Here’s wishing you a successful conference and rejuvenating stay. Please enjoy these refreshments with our compliments. If you need anything at all throughout your stay, do not hesitate to contact us.

Be well,

Signed with two illegible signatures. Maybe Monique and Debbi? Something like that, anyway.

My gaze roamed the immediate vicinity. Did they forget to leave the package? Hang on. While I worked poolside, Nadine hung out in the room. Facing her, I cocked an eyebrow. “Refreshments?”

Guilt rolled over her face. “Yeah. Umm, where’d I put ‘em?” She darted to the end table by her bed. “Here they are.” She passed me two strips of three clear-ballooned pockets. Inside laid one almond, a full sleeve of cranberries, empty space, empty space, two blueberries, and another empty space.

“Gee, all this for me? How cool of you to leave me one lonely almond, knowing they’re my favorite. And look, two whole blueberries. What a score.”

Her neck turtled in her shoulders. “I thought they were for both of us.”

“Really?” I pointed to my name on the card. “Yeah, I can see why.” Not.

Releasing an exaggerated yawn, she stretched her arms high above her head. “Do you mind if we talk about this later? I really should get my beauty sleep.”

“Absolutely. Go right ahead. With that full belly of fruit and nuts, not to mention the burger I paid for earlier, you must be all tuckered out. Poor thing.” On my way out the door, I tossed over my shoulder, “Good thing you didn’t book those dual massages. My bank account would be on life support by now.”

Okay, so maybe I overacted. After all, she did me a solid driving the jeep tonight. In the morning, I guess I owed her an apology.

Could this trip get any worse? Scratch that. It probably could.