Page 69 of Adam

“That poor man,” one person says.

“Greedy fucker,” someone else says.

“He did so many good things.” A woman tries to offer her opinion.

He ruined the world with his appetite for more.

No one knew the real DuPont. I don’t even think DuPont knew himself.

Lunchtime approaches, and I dismiss my crew for a few hours. As soon as everyone leaves, I grab my laptop from my bag. I walk over to where the sledgehammer rests. I lay the laptop on a pile of rubble that will need to get hammered down further. Picking up the sledgehammer, I raise it above my head, ready to drop it on the laptop.

“Excuse me, sir,” a small voice sounds off behind me.

I quickly turn and drop the hammer.

“Shit!” I breathe heavily, looking at this tiny kid. “What are you doing here? You can’t be behind the gates! It’s a construction site!”

He looks around and smiles. “He said you would say that. Here.”

He holds out a small package for me to take. I grab it, thinking he’ll run off. He just stands there waiting. I chuckle and reach into my pocket, pulling out a small bundle of cash.

“Twenty dollars… don’t cross the line again.” I point to the gate.

The kid laughs and adds the money I just gave him to a bundle of cash. “He paid me extra to cross the line. Totally worth it to scare the shit out of you!”

“Language!” I take a moment before it hits me. “He paid you?”

“Yeah. The pig. You are Old MacDonald, right?”

“Yeah.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “He says the pig is out of its pen.”

The young boy marches off with his stack of bills, and I shake my head. Smart kid. I open the package and laugh out loud. It’s a key to a storage locker at the airport. Taped to it is a note.

“Don’t destroy that laptop just yet. I have plans for you. I need pilot credentials for deadweight on a flight. Locker 5. You have 1 hour.”

“Fuck you, Adam!” I laugh. He is a cockroach that just won’t die.

I grab the laptop and jump into my company vehicle. Taking shortcut after shortcut to the airport and walking past check-in unnoticed. The airport is packed with travelers. I hear someone yelling in the background. “Shut your goddamn mouth and get on the goddamn plane!”

Turning, I see the treacherous duo. Graftons… where are you off to? No time to sit and question. I’ll hack that shit when I get Adam taken care of.

I find the lockers and locate my treasure chest. Opening the door, I find a stack of cash for payment and then a gift card to an electronics store. A pair of glasses sit on top with another note.

“Heard these glasses are good for nerds who stare at the computer all day. Save your eyes. Plus, these will impress that barista. Ask her out already. You are looking pathetic.”

I empty the locker and put the glasses on. I look at my reflection in the window and I have to admit, the cockroach has good taste.

I walk to a seating area and sit in the middle of a large group of people. I open my laptop and search for public Wi-Fi. My computer searches for an unsecured network and boom… Thanks, teenage prom queen. Taking selfie after selfie… you still look underage.

I tap into my system and create Adam’s new identity. Pushing it through and adding him to the airline itinerary for the flight. I search the airline’s guest list, finding Reese’s name. She’s keeping her real name and not make one up. That is interesting. I see where they are going and nod. Good choice.

“Adam, my friend… good luck! Will speak to you soon,” I whisper to my computer.

Closing everything down, I stand and walk back to the company truck. Climbing in, I shoot a text off to my crew, giving them the rest of the day off. I have a question for a very special barista.

CHAPTER 29

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