Page 3 of The Wolf and the Monarch

“So, a quick wipe. Sounds easy,” Andi chimed in, “I just need an IP address.”

“I asked for it but they won’t disclose it to me, so we’ll have to go in person.”

Spence scoffed. “That’s bullshit. They want us to do the job, they should provide us with all the details.”

“I agree. But from what I have been told, the facility in which the physical hard drive is located has had a gas leak and no one is allowed to go in there for health and safety reasons.”

Benji laughed dryly. “But we can?” After that comment, he could see his dad’s face fall a bit. His brow furrowed.

“We have plenty of gear that can handle it.” Spence mentioned, apparently wanting to ease his brother a bit, but his face remained the same.

“Dad,” Benji said, “what is it?”

Matthew sighed. “The nature of this assignment is all stealth based so we would only be sending in Benji. We can still have Spence as an eagle eye, but after a while, it won’t matter much.” Turning around towards the white board, he pointed at what would be the entrance. “Getting in isn’t an issue. I acquired the security codes from the guys who were working on the gas leak. Andi should be able to make something for Benji to be able to get around. It’s where the hard drive is located within this building, which is several floors underground.”

Andi tilted her head. “Really? That’s fascinating. Why is it so far down?”

“It bears repeating that they really don’t want people finding it,” Matthew mentioned. “It’s currently hard wired to the wall which is where it’s getting its internet capabilities from. I’ve been told that unless they’re hardwired, electronic devices won’t work down there. Which means that our comms won’t.” Ah. That explained why his dad’s face fell right then. He was having to send his son in essentially alone. The last time that happened was about a decade ago and Benji hadn’t done a very good job. In fact, he fucked it up pretty bad. So bad, that client had never reached out again and they didn’t even get paid for it. For years, he was reminded of that fuck up and he was so certain he’d never get the chance to show his dad that he could do something like that again even though he had honed and grew his skills so much in the past decade. He was too young then. Too green. He wasn’t the same kid he was then.

“It’ll be alright,” Benji spoke confidently and shrugged. “No one will be there. I’ll just get in, hook up whatever Andi is gonna give me and get out.”

His dad kept his gaze steady on Benji as if he was reading his whole body language. He was clearly looking to make sure he could trust him again. Eventually, however, he sighed. “You’re right. It’s simple. And it’ll be exactly that,” his gaze shifted between the other three. “That’s the confidence we need.”

Andi shook her head. “Nothing is ever that simple.”

Benji shrugged shoulders. “Let’s take an easy win and an easy payout if it is. And if it’s not, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

Matthew had a look on his face that made him feel like he was proud of him. “Travis, you’ll be staying here with myself and Andi. Not much use for you out there, but we’ll get you another job soon. Benji and Spence, you’re leaving tonight to Philadelphia.”

“Philadelphia?” Benji asked. “That’s a weird place to have such an important hard drive.”

“I thought the same thing. I imagine they thought having it here in DC seemed too obvious.” He supposed that made sense. “The weather is going to be shit tonight all through tomorrow evening so you will be leaving once Andi is done with her piece. I think the best course of action is using that storm to your advantage, though. You’ll be further hidden.” That also made sense. “Do you have your winter gear here?”

Benji nodded. “Yeah, I have something, I’m sure.”

“Good,” Matthew’s gaze shifted to Spence. “You think you can eagle eye in a whiteout?”

“I’ll do what I can.”

His father nodded. “Meeting dismissed. Go eat some breakfast.”

The four stood up from their respective seats and exited the room. Benji was about to go back to his desk but Andi stopped him. “Let’s go pick up something,” she smiled, but there was something about it that told Benji she had something interesting to say. “I’ll drive.”

Benji shrugged. “Sure.”

Together, the twins left the base and hopped in Andi’s SUV so they could begin their drive to McDonalds. The obvious choice. Benji leaned his elbow on the door of the car and turned his body towards his sister, just staring over at her. He watched as she tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for her to say something. He certainly wasn’t going to start the conversation because he had no idea what it was about. She would talk when she was ready. Until then, he’d just stare.

“Soooo…” She drew out, eyes shifting a bit.

“So,” Ben repeated.

She was quiet for a few more moments before she sighed heavily and rubbed at her brow. “I don’t trust this whole thing,” she finally blurted out.

His brow raised. “You don’t trust it?”

“No, I don’t.”

Benji nodded a bit, not necessarily agreeing. It was just something to do. “Why not?”