A coffee cup moved across my line of sight before I heard G whisper, “Something’s up.”
“No shit, Sherlock.” I threw his words back at him, sarcasm and all.
His chuckle echoed in his cup.
“Wait it out.”
We didn’t wait long before John and Jay approached the front door.
“Play dumb and be nice. I’m on my way.” I slammed my laptop shut, shoved it into my black canvas messenger bag, and jumped out of the black surveillance van.
“Mr. Jones, I’m John Sheppard and this is Jaden Sheppard.”
I didn’t need to see the video feed to know John and Jay were sizing Ryan up.
Christ, we barely got through the front door before his cover was under suspicion.
His cover would hold for the average citizen—except Beth, apparently—but the Sheppards would see right through it.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
From across the street, I saw them shaking hands thanks to Grannie’s floor to ceiling windows lining the front of the shop.
I should warn her those windows are a safety issue.
Who was I kidding? John probably had bulletproof windows installed.
“What’s your business with Miss Novak?”
Gibson handed them each a card. “I’m here to discuss a personal matter.” He sounded perfectly polite and professional.
“Bullshit.” Jay coughed into his hand just as I walked into the shop.
“Hey John, Jay,” I greeted my uncle and cousin.
“Austin.” John’s greeting was more question than welcoming invitation.
“Is he with you?” Jay used his head to indicate Gibson.
Blowing our cover wasn’t in the game plan, but there wasn’t much else I could do.
Playing down my role as a CIA field officer, I said, “He’s helping me. Is there somewhere we can talk?”
“I’ll ask if we can use Mary’s office. Wait here.”
“Do insurance agents always wear comms?” Jay asked after his father was out of earshot. “And work with government logistics personnel?”
Of course he’d noticed.
“It’s complicated,” I answered.
“Uncomplicate it.”
I appreciated Jay’s straightforward approach, but it wasn’t that easy.
“In time.”
“Now is a time.”
