Page 63 of Don't Let Go

But it reminded me of those towns back in the fifties and sixties, where Soviets trained their operatives to blend into America by immersing themselves in the culture. Rumors of their little American towns were popular spy stories and showed up in plenty of media.

I didn’t think this was housing Russian spies, but they were hiding secrets.

A lot of them.

“You’re clear, go straight to the stairs. They have a couple of cameras back here, but I’ve hijacked them and put them on a loop.”

I grinned. This was what I loved about her. She was always thinking three to five steps ahead.

“Let’s go see what Mark knows, yeah?”

Chapter

Twenty-Two

MCQUADE

“I’ve got eyes and ears on Remy,” Patch told me. “I switched channels so he can focus on his target. What trouble would you two like to get into?”

“You have a high opinion of my plans,” I commented, digging into my pockets for a crushed pack of cigarettes. I didn’t smoke anymore. I used to, but I quit. Now and then though, it was a habit that came in handy.

Like now, standing under the hot summer sun, when I wanted to be a distraction. Locke gave me a piercing look, but I ignored it for now. Two of the cigarettes were crushed beyond usefulness but the third one was mostly intact.

I jammed it between my lips then patted myself down for a lighter. Fuck, what had I done with mine?

Locke flicked open a Zippo and lit it with two smooth motions. He held it up for me and I got the cigarette burning.

Mouthing it was shit and it tasted worse, but it served its purpose. I took a drag and then blew the smoke upward and away from Locke.

“Thanks,” I said, then slid on a pair of sunglasses. The light seemed to be even more intense. Or maybe that was theaddition of eyes on, and off, the street. I leaned against the side of the SUV while Locke affected an equally bored, and waiting expression.

“Since when do you smoke?” My sugar bear didn’t usually call me out like that, so I figured she was due an answer.

“I started when I was sixteen, gave it up in boot camp, picked it back up again in my first war zone. Kept it up until I retired from active. Then decided to abandon it.” I toked in another mouthful of smoke, then blew it out like I’d inhaled it. At this distance, they wouldn’t notice.

“So we’re smoking now to give you a reason to just stand in the parking lot?”

I grinned. “Checking us out, Sugar Bear?”

Locke snorted. “She can check me out any time she wants.”

"Focus,” I muttered and Locke chuckled. “Right, time to give them a headache. Go check out the vet’s office. Get some bugs in there for Sugar Bear.”

“Where are you going?” Locke rolled his head from side to side and dropped the bag from the grocery store in the back of the car.

“To take a walk to the far side. I want to check out what’s on the other side of the sheriff’s office and the mechanic’s garage.”

Locke gave me a sideways stare. “That’s a hike if you get into trouble.”

I smirked. “Didn’t know you cared.”

“I don’t,” he retaliated. “I’m just not a big fan of running.”

I snorted.

“I have him, Justus,” Patch comforted him. “I have you too. Watch your backs, and don’t get dead.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I blew out the last bit of smoke before I ground the cigarette out. “Call me Sugar Lips again?”

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