Chapter 152
I kept low and approached the car from the rear and to the right, staying in what should have been a natural blindspot, assuming the rearview mirror wasnt positioned strangely. In case it was oddly positioned, I cast on the Benz, hearing a resulting click as the cars locks released simultaneously.
The gears ground several times as the driver fiddled with the locks.
Before the spell wore off, I opened the side door and slipped into the passenger seat.
This my Uber? I deadpanned.
At which point I realized I may have miscalculated. Because while Id expected someone higher placed, this was drastically more than Id bargained for. Gray-hair was sitting in the drivers seat, one hand on the driver-side panel, the other holding a half-eaten sandwich, staring at me. A drop of brown mustard dripped from the sandwich and landed on his pleated pants. He slowly lowered the sandwich, placing it on the console, and dabbed the mustard off his pants with a handkerchief, as if I wasnt there.
The Benzs front console displayed a screen showing multiple viewpoints from body cameras within the park. My eyes narrowed. They did have people in place. If Id scouted within the park instead of outside, would have triggered.
Gray-hair folded the napkin and dabbed his face, staring straight ahead, stone-cold. Did you break my car?
No idea what youre talking about. The application of had faded by now.
Gray-hair tested the locks. When they worked, he seemed to thaw a bit, adapting the same casual manner I recognized from the tunnel. Good. I like this shirt. Getting blood out is such a pain. He laughed as if hed just told the greatest joke in the world.
Itd be hell on your upholstery.
In part. The carpets, for certain. The leather though? He smiled dreamily. With a little dish soap and water, it wipes right off. But Im guessing youve already seen your share of blood. Isnt that right, Ordinator? He stared straight at me, waiting for a reaction.
So, they had connected the dots. That was unfortunate in some ways, fortunate in others. They were less likely to pull anything if they thought I was capable of leveling an entire region.
I ignored him, looking out towards the park. This could have been a straightforward conversation.
If it was up to me, I would have handled it that way. Gray-hair said. The matter was above my paygrade.
Gray-hair wasnt the leader then. Or, at the very least, not the only one. He reached down towards the console. When I bristled, reaching towards my side, he held eye-contact and slowly popped a compartment open. There were two bottles in clear view, dark-glass craft beers with a golden label.
He expected this. Or accounted for the possibility.
The feeling of being out of my depth returned.
Gray-hair picked one up and flicked the cap off with his thumbnail and extended it to me. I took it, inspecting the bottle carefully. didnt trigger. I took a precautionary sip, nearly gagging on the unpleasant, acrid flavor. It was like licking a bitter, yeasty, oak barrel.
We can still have that conversation. Gray-hair observed as he opened his beer in the same manner. Main difference being, I hold a far higher opinion of you now than if wed met on a park bench.
What was going to happen? I asked, noticing the lithids blue-shimmer in my shadow again. If I went to the park?Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
Power is power. I finally said. No matter the face of it, the real movers and shakers are always lurking in the dark.
Aptly put. Gray-hair said. Then he stirred, seeming to come to a decision. You have the cores?
I withdrew the seven User cores and placed them in the still-open compartment.
Excellent. Gray-Hair withdrew a Manila envelope from the side-pocket and handed it to me. When I went to take it, he held on to it for a moment. I assume you prefer your identity remain anonymous, for obvious reasons?
Its a necessity.
Collecting personal information is a key part of the recruitment process. Leverage and whatnot. Fortunately for you, I find this anonymity youve achieved too valuable to throw away. Maintaining it will take some doing on both our parts. I can shield you from that side of things. But there is a cost. Gray-hair released the envelope.
I opened it and slid the documents out. There was an eight by eleven picture of Buzzcut at the top.
Suddenly, I understood. Gray-hair wasnt just aiming to shore up his faction within the Suits.
Gray-hair was cleaning house.
I waited, to ensure my voice was steady. How do you want it done?
His home should provide an ideal staging ground. Its well sound-proofed and isolated.
I wasnt sure I wanted to know the details behind the soundproofing comment.
Anyone else to worry about? I asked.
No. He lives alone. Gray-hair rubbed his head, a single strand of hair coming free. Its all in the dossier. And this is a selfish request, but if at all possible, dont drag it out? In all honesty, I rather liked him.
I should have kept the question to myself. But I couldnt. What did he do?
Created unnecessary problems that require a solution. Does it matter?
No.
You have a week to prepare. Well meet here the morning after.
Sensing the meeting was finished, I pulled the handle and opened the side door.
Behind me, I heard the whoosh of a car window rolling down. Gray-hair grinned after me, his teeth overly white. Ill tell Vernon you said hello.
