Hellbent

He tore it free and turned for the door. As he stepped over what was left of the broad-shouldered man, something chimed. Evan paused to fish a familiar-looking Samsung Galaxy from the dead man’s pocket.

He used the man’s shirt to wipe a crimson smear off the screen. Location services were toggled off, GPS disabled.

Out front he heard the Subaru squeal to the curb.

Keeping the phone, he exited through the fortified steel door. As it swung open, he heard the faint slosh of water within.

It was a nice security measure, if you thought about it.

23

Damaged Goods

As Joey sped away, Evan checked out the Samsung. It appeared to be wiped of data, holding only the operating system and a single app.

Signal.

The encrypted comms software showed several incoming contact attempts.

Sirens wailed, a squadron of cop cars rocketing past one block over on Lombard Street, blues and reds lasering through the night air.

Joey had gotten them quickly away from the pest-control shop. She darted nervous glances at the seemingly endless procession. The cruisers were visible only at intersections and alleys, strobing into view behind warehouses and buildings.

“We’re fine,” Evan said. “Get on the 5.”

“And then?”

“Head north.”

Signal only worked over Wi-Fi, but — God bless Portland’s waxed mustaches, artisanal beers, and municipal benefits — they remained under the umbrella of free citywide service.

The sirens reached an earsplitting pitch and then faded quickly.

Joey blew out a breath, letting it puff her cheeks.

Evan kept his eyes on the Samsung, waiting for it to chime.

Joey said, “What are you—”

It chimed.

Two words appeared: EVENTFUL AZURE.

Joey glanced over at him. Her eyes held the frantic alertness of cornered prey. “That’s him, isn’t it?”

Evan tapped the screen.

Van Sciver’s voice came through. “Code.”

“You don’t need to bother with that anymore,” Evan said.

A long, static-free pause ensued. Van Sciver finally spoke again. “How did you hack this connection?”

“I didn’t,” Evan said. “I hacked your men instead.”

He let Van Sciver digest that fact. Forty percent of his manpower, gone. Freelancers were replaceable, sure, but getting them vetted, up to operational standards, and read in on an Orphan mission took time. And time was a luxury Evan wasn’t going to allow him. Van Sciver had lit the fuse the instant he’d put Jack in that Black Hawk.

Evan checked to see if the Wi-Fi connection had dropped, but they were still in range.

Van Sciver finally replied. “X.”

“Y.”

“I didn’t figure you’d hang around the area. After you surface, you always go to ground.”

“Things are different now.”

“Ah, right. The old saw—‘This time it’s personal.’ I thought you were better than that.”

Evan let the line hum.

“Jack jumped out of that helo himself,” Van Sciver said. “You watched it with me. We didn’t push him.”

“But you were going to.”

“Yes,” Van Sciver said. “We were.”

Evan pointed through the windshield, and Joey veered up the on-ramp, accelerating onto the 5.

“Can’t blame me, can you?” Van Sciver said. “Hell, I learned it from you. To be ruthless.”

“From me?”

“You had to be. You were never the best. Everyone loves a thoroughbred, sure. But they root for the underdog.”

“Who’s rooting, Charles?”

Van Sciver kept on. “Helluva move you pulled all those years ago back at the home. Beat me to the starting gate.”

“That was long ago.”

“It was the past, yes. And it’s the present, too. You define me, Evan. Just like I define you.”

Evan watched the headlights blur past on the freeway. He could sense Joey’s gaze heavy on his face.

“The Mystery Man wanted me,” Van Sciver said. “Not you.”

“Yes,” Evan said. “He did.”

“We were so young. Remember when we thought he was important? Remember when he held all the power in the world?”

“I remember.”

“Now he works for me. The Program’s pared down, way down, but when I decided to recruit a little fresh blood… well, he’s still the best. Though even he makes a mistake now and again. Like the girl. I’m sure she’s told you all about it.”

Joey’s hands tightened on the wheel. Van Sciver’s voice, deep and confident, was carrying from the receiver.

“A mistake,” Evan echoed. “I asked her how to find you. She couldn’t tell me anything. She’s not even bait. She’s useless.”

Joey looked straight ahead, drove steady, but Evan could hear her breathing quicken.

“She’s another stray mark we have to erase,” Van Sciver said. “She knows my face.”

“What’s she gonna do? Hire a sketch artist? She doesn’t have the skills. She’s damaged goods. She’s not even worth killing.”

“Yeah, but Johns took her in, so I’m gonna kill her anyway. Because he took her in. Because that makes her important to you.”

“Your call to make,” Evan said. “If you think you can afford not to concentrate on me.”

Van Sciver sounded amused. “You have no idea, do you? How high it goes?”

“What does that mean?”

He laughed. “You still think it’s about me and you.”

“That is all it’s about,” Evan said. “From the minute you took Jack.”

The reception weakened and then came back, the Subaru skirting the edge of the Wi-Fi hot zone.