Page 52 of Hellbent

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.”