Page 153 of Bad Attitude
Could I double back? Go see if it’s still there?
Yeah, after my rear tire ran over it.
I need to lie low somewhere. But where can I gowhere I’ll be safe?
A hotel, for a week. Or two… or three…
That’s not going to work. It’ll raise too many questions.
And I might have Chinese enforcers looking for me, too. Could they access my credit card bills, find where I’m staying? I don’t know if it’s even possible, but it’s a disturbing idea.
My thoughts have lasted long enough for me to reach the southern part of San Fran, and I haven’t seen the bike or the SUV pursuing me in a while. It’s time to drop my speed, pick up the 101, and carry on south.
Ride through the night. Somewhere.
Not back to LA. Not to a hotel. Not to Declan… who will likely go crazy when I don’t turn up.
And ask a million questions if I do.
There’s only one place left I can think of: myotherhome. My family.
Go stay with my parents in Salt Lake City, where I can hide for as long as it takes. Let the dust clear, give Kurt a chance to get out of whatever mess he’s in, keep an eye on the news.
Fine… decision made. It’s eleven hours away.
I hunker down, grit my teeth, my thoughts filled with worry for Declan, Kurt, Cole, and the rest of the crew.
A little black box in my pocket.
Thirty
Declan
Ihave to hand it to Kurt Renner: escaping on a motorcycle is dead easy. I make it to the safe house in Pacific Heights without any signs of pursuit.
The first thing I do is make a call.
“You’ve reached Admiral Warranty. Our offices are closed—”
I punch in the code, and the line clicks.
“Go ahead.”
“Special Agent Diana Mercer, immediately.”
“Stand by.”
I seethe while I’m waiting. I don’t care if they have to wake her up, but I’m betting they don’t. And I’m right; the delay is less than twenty seconds.
“Mercer.”
“Did you pick up Renner? Did you have anotherteamthere?”
“Good evening, Maddox. Of course I did. You didn’t expect me to let him walk after pulling a joblike that, did you?”
“I shared intelligence with you about that operation ingood faith, Mercer,” I grind out. “Not for you to swoop in and jeopardize my entire goddamn operation!”
“Relax, Agent. Once we’ve ascertained what Renner has, you can come in. This will all be done, and you can be home for debrief and a commendation.”
