Page 31 of In Too Deep

Reacher said, “Good to know. Thanks. I don’t fancy dinner but you could tell your friend there’s a breakfast place in the neighborhood that does interesting specials. I’ll call you back with the address. Tell her it’s so popular it opens crazy early. Like, at 4:00a.m.Which is extreme, but the dishes on offer should make it worth the effort.”

Reacher ended the call and set the phone down on the table. Knight remained standing. She said, “What’s with the weird code?”

Reacher said, “We could talk freely before. I was just reporting a rumor I’d heard. But now we’re further down the line. He’s worried about increased security. If an agent’s cover was blown they’ll have to worry about a leak.”

“Did he mean what I think he meant? The dead guy really was an agent?”

Reacher nodded.

“Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. From what you told me, I thought Vidic was bullshitting, all day long.”

“I’ve got to admit, I’m surprised, too.”

“So the cavalry is coming.”

“It is. And that means leaving Kane to the Feds. Are you OK with that?”

Knight shrugged. “If I get to see him taken away in cuffs, I’ll be happy. But if they blow cold again and turn their backs on him I’m not going to stand still and let him get away.”

“That’s fair.”

“What about you? The cavalry’s not due till this evening. Vidic’s coming at 2:00p.m.”

“So I go with him. Taking care of the safe won’t take long.”

“You think he’ll stick to the deal? I can see you shoving the safe.Manhandling it around and getting it where he wants it. You’ll be tired and out of breath. And he’ll have a choice. Give you a million dollars or put a bullet in your head. I’m betting he’d prefer the latter. And you get that he’s essentially been profiling you, right? He thinks you’re a drifter. Which means no friends. No family. No bills to go unpaid if you disappear. No mail to pile up. No one to raise the alarm if you don’t call or email or show up somewhere. To him you’re totally disposable. You’re the perfect patsy.”

“I get that. But if I’m not here when Vidic shows up he’ll split. If he thinks he’s getting the money there’s a chance he’ll give up the address for the others. Then I’ll put him on ice. If he tries to double-cross me, I’ll make him give up the address. Either way, we get what we need.”

“I don’t like it. You’ll be too exposed.”

Reacher shrugged. “Have you got a better idea?”

“No.” Knight was silent for a moment, then broke eye contact. “Say you’re successful with Vidic. What happens to the money from the safe?”

“This isn’t about—”

Knight put one hand on Reacher’s shoulder and pointed through the window with the other. “Look. Kane’s guys are leaving. They’re carrying their bags. They might not be coming back. Come on. Let’s see where they go. We might not need Vidic and the safe.”

Reacher shook his head. “Bad idea. A single car tail on roads like these? They’ll make us inside of a mile.”

“I won’t get close enough to get made. I don’t need to. They have two cars. I hid an AirTag in both of them. That’s how I tracked them all the way here.”

“What’s an AirTag?”

“What kind of rock do you live under? It’s a location device. Originally made for people to stick on keychains and in wallets andluggage in case they got lost. Pet owners attach them to dog collars in case their furry buddies stray. And wives slip them in husbands’ pockets for the same reason.”

“What’s the range?”

“Pretty much worldwide.”

“OK. We’ll see where they go. But first let’s take a look in Kane’s guys’ rooms.”

Chapter15

Kane was the first tofinish breakfast. He wolfed down his burrito, scrunched up the wrapper, and tossed it on the ground. Fletcher took a little longer to get through his food. Vidic fussed with his pastry and dropped half of it on the floor. Paris stirred her yogurt around for a while and toyed with a couple of chunks of strawberry, then snapped her plastic spoon in two and shoved thepieces into the pot. Vidic got to his feet and started to collect everyone’s trash. When he reached Paris he said, “Get the door forme?”

Kane sneered at him and said, “Why bother? Leave it. Who cares if rats come in now? Or more rats.”

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