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“You’re Avery.” She says it like a statement, not a question, with a faint American accent.
“Yes…” I swallow, nervous. Did I get this wrong? Is it a trap? “I’m looking for Charlie?” I ask hesitantly, and the girl nods.
“You’ve found me.”
“Oh.” I blink, processing the news.Thisis Nero’s expert hacker? “Sorry, I was just expecting…”
“A geeky dude who hasn’t seen sunlight in the past twenty years,” Charlie finishes for me, looking amused. “Yeah, I get that a lot. Come on,” she turns on her chunky heels and starts walking—but not for the front entrance. She’s heading to an alleyway that leads down the side of the building.
I hurry to catch up. “Where are we going?” I ask.
“I was told you need access to a police report.”
She doesn’t look at me as she speaks. Her eyes are casually scanning the area, and I have a feeling that she’s taking in every single detail.
“Well, yes. I’m trying to find out more about a car accident, about fifteen years ago—”
“I don’t need to know the whys,” she interrupts me. We’re walking along the side of the building now, trampling the grass. “I’m just here for the how.”
Okay, then.
We come around the back of the building. There’s a middle-aged officer near a back door, leaning against the wall with an unlit cigarette in his mouth.
When he sees Charlie coming, the man curses under his breath.
“No way,” he grumbles, shaking his head as we approach. “I told you, it was one time.”
Charlie grins. “That’s what they all say,” she says, teasing. “But they always come back begging for more.”
She produces a silver lighter and lights the man’s cigarette.
“You know I’m trying to quit,” he tells her, sighing forlornly—and then taking a long drag. “Julie can’t stand the smell.”
“Mind over matter,” she advises, friendly. “I know a great hypnotist, if you want.”
He snorts. “Voluntarily go into a suggestive state, with one of your buddies? You’re having a laugh. For all I know, you’ll come out of the shadows, and program me to leave the front door unlocked.” He looks over to me. “Word of advice, love, don’t go leaving anything unattended around this one. She’s liable to go looking where she doesn’t belong.”
“And there I was, thinking we were friends,” Charlie protests, smiling widely. “Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to find another friend to take these tickets for the big game on Saturday.” She pulls something from her jacket and wafts them.
The police officer perks up. “What kind of tickets?”
“Good ones,” she replies airily. “Corporate hospitality suite. Open bar. I’m sure Julie would have loved them…”
The cop gives her a look. “Out of the goodness of your heart, I’m sure.”
“Of course.” Charlie beams. “I just need a little favor...”
“Of course you do.”
“Just a little peek at a report. Nothing classified. Come on,” Charlie wheedles, still dangling the tickets. “No one has to know. It can be our secret.”
“Your secrets will cost me my job,” he grumbles, but he’s already tossing his half-finished cigarette on the ground and stomping it out.
“That’s why I appreciate it so much.”
“Be quick about it, alright?” he mutters, leading us to the open door.
“Like the wind.”
