Read Ice Cold for Free Online Page B

sweetly, not looking up as her fingers flew over the keyboard and data scrolled rapidly up the monitor. “Nielson sent someone else to that job. Until I’m told by someone higher up the food chain where to go and when, I’m stuck with you.”
    “I don’t require the services of a computer gee—”
    “You requested Jack.”
    “Who’s dead . Now it’s moot. This isn’t a complex situation. Hansen had experience he could bring to the op. You don’t. I’m better off doing this myself.”
    She lifted her head and rested her hands loosely on the keyboard. “No team?”
    “No need. With Städtische Hoffnung claiming responsibility. I’ll—”
    She glanced up. “And you’re taking their word for it?”
    Impressed by how much skepticism she could pack into so few words, he still wasn’t accepting that announcement at face value; he just wanted her…elsewhere. Somewhere she couldn’t distract him.
    Honey’s fingers drummed staccato irritation on the edge of her keyboard then she paused, fingers hovering over the keys to give him a cool look. “While I respect your bomb disposal knowledge, Navarro, let me clarify that I’m cyber intelligence. It might just have been a bomb—might—but we both know that’s rarely the case. Especially given I haven’t found any cyber tampering. And yes, I heard you. The Städtische Hoffnung. Could be they did it. But even you should entertain the possibility that they’re jumping on someone else’s bandwagon.”
    Her computer dinged . “Dresden Fernsehen had the first news alert less than an hour ago. Let’s say the call came in ten to fifteen minutes before it went on the air.” She typed.
    “We already know this…” He heard the irritation in his voice. The last thing he needed was someone questioning his every move. He was a team player; he just didn’t want her in his team.
    “I want to know where the call originated.”
    “The Städtische Hoffnung are based in—”
    “Give me a minute… The call was computer generated. The IP of the computer used appears to have originated in Mersin, Turkey. However, the address was rerouted from Panama City, and to Panama City from Paris, and to Paris from…” She paused her fast-moving fingers for a second. “Are you getting the picture?”
    “You’re saying not the SH.” It hadn’t felt right to him either, but it annoy— Shit . It annoyed him that a fellow member of his team reached the same conclusion. He should be pleased they were on the same page.
    “This looks more complex than a local terror cell. Unless you’d rather work with someone other than the best, you need me, Navarro. Like it or not.” She gave him an assessing look when he didn’t dispute it. “I’ll give you points— small points—for not asking me if I’m sure. Just an FYI—I don’t offer an opinion if I’m not. Ever .”
    Jack Hansen was known for being the best at what he did. She was now best but only by default. She had to prove to everyone that she hadn’t just gotten that title because Jack was dead and both of them knew it.
    Rafe raised a single brow. “You’re aware we’re on the same side, right, Winston?”
    “I’m not trying to send you home in the middle of an op—” As she looked at the monitor, her eyes widened slightly, and her body stiffened. She continued speaking without changing her dulcet tone.
    “I’m an asset, Navarro. Don’t forget it.” She went from razor sharp to absent, keying in whatever the hell she was so busy keying in, and watching the screen.
    Jesus, when they said Winston had no interpersonal skills, they weren’t kidding. “I’m sitting right here,” Rafael told her, annoyed by how fucking annoyed he sounded.
    “I can look into your fathomless black eyes, or I can do my job. Can’t do both. You choose,” she said without even looking at him. While he digested that, she continued with barely a pause, “Consider me the first woman immune to your dubious charms.” Her eyes