Page 20 of Spies Like Us

“Max arranged for us to have lunch with Stella, Sophie, and their friends.”

I force a smile despite feeling slightly annoyed inside. I’m doing all the freaking work, and they are going around town, lunching. It’s no wonder they haven’t gotten anywhere.

“Okay, sure. I’m just going to grab a coffee and something to eat, and then I’m heading over there. If Dayton can pick me up about half past three, then that should give me plenty of time to change and get back to the Life Lounge before my shift starts.”

Dayton agrees as Max calls his name. The three guys give me a wave, and I leave them be, ignoring the piercing looks both Ryland and Max are giving me.

I follow in the same direction Martha and her group went. I figured they are going for lunch, and I’m sure wherever they go will have coffee. As I walk, I pull my banged up foster kid burner phone out of my backpack and send my dad a message. It doesn’t take long for it to ring, and I answer, stopping to sit down on a park bench so I can talk to my dad. I don’t want Martha to turn around and demand to know who I’m talking to.

“Hey, Dad.” I lean back on the bench and put my backpack next to me.

“Kenzie, honey, is everything okay?” It’s his first question every time.

“Yeah, I just needed to hear the sound of your voice,” I tell him, trying to wash away the ick I feel from the pastor with the loving sounds of my dad’s voice.

“How’s the case going?” he asks breathlessly. He sounds like he’s walking somewhere.

“It’s going,” I hedge, and he grunts.

“Talk to me,” he demands, and I sigh.

“We have lots of theories, but no proof, and we have to be careful where we stick our noses. It seems like it’s a widespread conspiracy… like a lot of the town’s major players have a hat in the ring.”

“Can I do anything for you?” I shake my head even though he can’t see it.

“No. Hopefully now that Max has officially reported Bishop missing, they’ll drag him out of the tunnels, and we can explore them. I’m heading to the library. The tunnels are old, even if the cells aren’t. They must have been part of the Underground Railroad or prohibition tunnels, and I’m going to see if I can find the entrance to them.”

“Well that sounds like a plan. What else?”

“We still haven’t found the entrance to the sex club, but there is a service elevator next to the club I’m working at, which Lathan is going to hack, and we’re going to see if that leads anywhere, but I think if it did, people would be seen coming and going.”

“Have you made any more progress in being asked to work in the sex club?” my father asks, and I screw up my nose.

“Without going into any detail, I have been thoroughly auditioned, and I don’t think it will be long before I’m offered a chance to make some more money.”

My father clears his throat, and there’s an uncomfortable silence. That’s been the worst thing about having him as my handler. Neither of us are happy discussing some of the lengths I go through to trap a mark.

“Well, good. I have a chip arriving at the Turners’ tonight for the team. Make sure they get it implanted.”

“I’m a little surprised they didn’t have one. I thought it was standard protocol for all agents nowadays.”

“It is, but Team Basilisk is basically the last to have it done. They’ve blown off all summons every time they’ve been to the Lighthouse,” my dad growls, sounding annoyed, and I chuckle. “They are almost as infuriating as you sometimes.”

“Hey, that’s a little mean,” I whine, and he snorts.

“Truth hurts. How are you all getting along?” His voice softens.

I think for a moment about how I want to answer this.

“Kenzie?” he prompts.

“Now that Bishop is gone, it’s mostly smooth sailing. Although it’s only been, what, twenty-four hours? Only time will tell,” I reply, and hear him huff out a sigh.

“And the part that’s not?”

“Miller.” I decide to be honest, and again, I hear a long suffering sigh. “Though to be honest, he was better today, so maybe he’s coming around.” I think back to how he was mostly civil during church.

“Get it sorted, Kenz. Your mom will be very sad if you two aren’t at least pretending to be civil. Hell, even the king likes him.”

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