7
" The neighbor’s dog burst into frenzied barking. Devon jumped so hard, she clutched the door. Toby was a big dog with a loud bark. He sounded right outside the window, crazy loud snarling barks like he wanted to tear something apart. The barking stopped. Devon heard a car, and a faraway truck, and birds. Then a creak from the front of the house. Her heart slammed. Devon couldn’t tell if the sound came from inside the house, or out. It could have been the wind. It might be Toby. Thump. Devon peeked up the hall. The hall was empty, but her heart beat a vicious patter, and she wanted to run. Thump. Creak. She ducked into the office, but stayed at the door. Listening. Straining to hear. Inside or out, she still couldn’t tell. Stop! You’re imagining things! Maybe from the dining room, a noise from outside coming through the open slider. Her phone buzzed, startling her as much as the barking. Devon had forgotten her phone. She saw Cole’s name, and covered her mouth. "
― Robert Crais , The Wanted (Elvis Cole, #17; Joe Pike, #6)
9
" He took memory sticks and an external drive from his desk, and cables from the mess on the floor. Pike loaded his gear into the backpack, and we made our way toward the garage. Pike stopped when we reached the living room. “The fish.” The aquarium stood on its stand, bubbling. I said, “What about them?” Tyson said, “We gotta feed them.” We waited while Pike fed the fish, then followed him into the garage. The walls were lined with gray metal shelving units. The shelves were crowded with different-sized boxes and the clutter that accumulates as time passes, and more boxes were stacked on the floor in front of the shelves. Handwriting identified their contents: Christmas/ornaments, Christmas/lights, Tyson—baby clothes, Mom’s lamp. Pike pointed out a small black box clipped to the outside of the garage door’s track, up high by the ceiling and difficult to see. “Transmitter. "
― Robert Crais , The Wanted (Elvis Cole, #17; Joe Pike, #6)
17
" I had seen Tyson in person only once, and then from a block away. He was a nice-looking kid, but held himself close, as if wary. Amber was the opposite. She was lean, pretty, and her smile was bright with confident energy. A blousy, off-the-shoulder cream top exposed flawless skin, and long, slender legs were revealed by little white shorts that were loose, but not nasty. The Gucci sunglasses looked great on her. "
― Robert Crais , The Wanted (Elvis Cole, #17; Joe Pike, #6)
18
" Amber swirled up from behind him, and rolled over him like a wave. “We don’t have our drinks? What’s taking so long?” She leaned forward across the counter, and spoke so quickly her words mashed together. “Agrandeskinnycaramelmacchiatowithextrafoam and aventivanillafrappuccinowithextravanilla. You didn’t give them to someone else, did you? We need caf-feine!” Her personality swept over and around him, and defined their dynamic. He stood taller at her touch, held himself less wary, and seemed larger, as if a static pop! of her crazy wild confidence had sparked from her into him. Amber fed his fantasies and needs, and made him feel strong in his weakest places. Whatever Amber had wanted, Tyson would have done. Her attention empowered him. Her approval was everything. "
― Robert Crais , The Wanted (Elvis Cole, #17; Joe Pike, #6)
