Page 106 of Long Past Deadly

Hunt’s focus changed to the far wall and Alanna’s notes. “I haven’t been on a mission since Baxter died.”

Quaid sucked in a breath. “Problems with today’s practice?”

“Nope. My body and brain know exactly what to do. It’s a stab in the heart, though. I was right beside him when he got shot. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen to Alanna.”

Quaid clasped his shoulder. “I will throw myself in front of her before I let anything happen to her.”

The realization dawned on Hunt’s face. “Confession time?”

Quaid shook his head. “Better tell her first.”

“Ah, yes. Important first. I have to go. I do have a night job.”

Quaid snorted. “Don’t miss all the fun.”

“Oh, I’ll be back. I need to check in, though. Keeps my ass covered.” Hunt tossed off a goodbye to Harrison and Mackey and left.

&&&&&&&&&&

QM International Communication Check: 10:00:30 PST 12/27 – San Diego HQ. All facilities secure. Security Level 4 remains in effect. Maintain current threat posture. Refer to internal transmissions for status updates. Ϙ

Alanna wanted to take off her shoes and rub her feet. These streets were becoming familiar again, and it burned in a way she didn’t anticipate. The unexpected smells, the dull colors slashed with sudden brightness, the scurry of individuals who didn’t want in her sphere because yes, she had her badge on. Some things did not change.

She went through the motions of dropping off cards and skimmed through the memories in her head of the steps she’d taken to elevate herself from this desperate circumstance. She’d worked two jobs for so long, adjusting to one caused panic. Yes, she’d lived in her car for the first two years of college. Yes, she’d lived on a tight shoestring and took being frugal with every necessity to a whole new level. She had people she interacted with, but she kept them out of her corner of the world. She’d needed one place to call her own, one place to protect her flank.

And now she was living with Quaid. How did that figure in? Niles had visited her LA apartment yesterday and delivered her things to the bedroom across from Quaid’s. Two weeks and she moved in with the man. Was it his money, the food on the table, the clothes Niles kept buying, or was it Quaid? The man. Not the money. God, she was so confused.

She opened the door to a business she’d frequented many times. Mac was doing the same on the opposite side of the street. Quaid had office business that left him stuck. Sucked to be the corporate face of QM, but his attention to the job was part of their success.

Some sections in the area had been reclaimed and renovated by the city, but some parts were more rundown than ever. She was recognized many places and the familiarity rubbed wrong, too.

She met Mac at a cross street. “Let’s hit the alley.”

Chills raced along her spine, but she agreed.

Mac signaled Bailey who was driving the SUV, and they walked. Three blocks west and four blocks north.

“Are you having second thoughts about this?” Mac watched the surroundings while they made their way along.

“Who wouldn’t. My logical brain is telling me I’m smarter than him. Figure something else out. My pissed off brain says bring it.”

“Been there. Use the smarts from one to temper the stupid of the other.”

“Helpful, Mac,” she muttered, trying not to be sarcastic and not succeeding.

“I may have been a door kicker, Doc, but we trained. Our work wasn’t spontaneous. It wasn’t emotional. It wasn’t undisciplined. The only way you get to Tier 1 level is to operate right and full out every fucking time. That’s where we are. This gets executed to the scope of your skill or you’re dead. This guy doesn’t play.”

Alanna wanted to snap back, but she drew on years of training and stayed in step with the man. “I shadow box Mercer’s memory in my head every day. I’d like to say I put it away, but it’s a part of every crime I analyze, every skill I worked double-time to master, and the first thought when the unexpected occurs. Did that make me good at what I do? I’m questioning that, too.”

Mac slowed enough to match his pace to hers. “Stop trying to outthink him.”

Confused, she tried to read his face. “That’s your advice?”

“My advice is to know what this is.” His eyes tracked the street as they crossed another intersection. “You’re not setting a trap for him.”

Alanna frowned, then stopped by a street sign. “That’s exactly what we’re doing.”

“No.” He coaxed her to move further along the block and around the corner. “We’re giving him what he already wants and controlling ground zero when he comes for it.”