Aaron
Poland was flat.
But at a hundred twenty miles an hour, it didn’t matter.
It really didn’t matter because we were in some kind of super enhanced, tricked out spy car, that jammed any and all radar, ladar, lidar and police bands that tried to pick us up.
The police couldseeus going 120, but they couldn’t clock it, and by the time we passed them and they pulled out, there was no way they could catch this vehicle.
Somewhere around Lublin, Smoke pulled off the highway and wound his way to a restaurant, pulling into the parking spot and smiling at us.
“Breakfast?”
“Why?” Maddox asked. “So, we can feel the effects of actual centrifugal force on our bodies?”
“Yes.” He popped the door. “And they have really good breakfast pastries and coffee.”
“I could do coffee.” I unlatched my seat belt.
“Don’t leave the gun.” Smoke shoved the massive cannon in the back of his waistband and pulled the jacket over it. “Got it?”
I shoved the 9mm into my own waistband. “Got it.”
Maddox had his nestled in a shoulder holster, and stared at me for how comfortable I was with the gun back there. I shrugged, then tossed a chin at his gun. “Like you’re one to talk, mister Sig.”
He laughed. “Fair point.”
Smoke locked the car and we headed for the front door. “Let me do the talking and ordering, and we need to eat quick and get going again as soon as possible. Cheung knows I’ll leave Warsaw as soon as I could, and get the hell out of Poland too. I don’t know if he realizes I’m going back to the Ukraine, but I can’t take the chance that he figures it out.”
“Are we going to be able to get across the border with these weapons?” I asked.
“Yes,” Smoke said. “Especially since I’m returning their stolen data.”
He pointed us to a table in the corner with a great view of the front of the place, including the door, as well as a clear view of the back entrance for employees. I stifled a giggle when I realized I was picking out exits.
“What’s funny?” Maddox asked.
“Habits die hard,” I said. “When I was scrapping my way through the streets, whenever I had to steal, I planned out my exits. If I couldn’t come up with two clean and clear ones, I’d abort.” I nodded to the front as I pointed to the employee entrance. “Two clear exits.”
“You probably would make a good spy.” He laughed and sat back. “How’d you learn to use a gun?”
“I had one for a long time,” I said. “I stole it on the way out of my father’s hell hole. It was a compact 9mm like this one. That thing saved my ass—literally and figuratively—more than a few times. They aren’t kidding when they saythe mean streets. I got lucky and only had to spend two years out there, and found some good people to hole up with until I got into the youth home.”
“Where’s the gun now?”
“Gone. Long gone.” I picked at a nail. “When I got into Cornell, I gave it to one of the ladies who had watched my ass on the streets. She needed it more than I did at that point.” I nodded at his holstered gun. “And you?”
“Smoke taught me. When he first started hisI want to be a spykick, he dragged me to the range. I learned right along with him until he disappeared. I go with him whenever he appears in the city and wants to do his range time.”
“So, he’s really this mysterious?”
“Yep.” Maddox nodded, glancing over to him. “But after Uriah’s kidnapping he’s shown up more and more. I think he’s really serious about changing his career. Staying closer to home more often.”
“I totally am,” Smoke said, setting down the tray on the table. He took the seat with the best view of the front door. “I’m getting older now, and there are younger, more able agents who can run this stuff. I’m not as up on my tech anymore and usually have to have a partner helping me to steal—borrow the information we’re after.”
“Do you on this one?” I asked.
“Nope.” His grin was totally a shit-eating one. “Cheung is even older school than me, and didn’t think to copy the drive yet, so I have the only copy he made.”
