Page 78 of Surge

“Living room,” Garrett called.

Caldwell and Zim each came wandering down the hallway, and they all took seats.

“Got a heads-up from my contact,” Caldwell said. “He still knows nothing about the plastic.”

“Understood,” Garrett said with a nod. “Outside just now, Surge hit on a preschooler walking past the safe house, or rather he hit on the shoes she was wearing—they had glittery butterflies on the top.” He held up Caldwell’s plastic. “The butterfly was made of silicone that looked just like this.”

Zim frowned, rubbed his chin. “Hmm. They could have been just exposed in the shoe factory-slash-chem lab. I’d like to test them.”

“They looked brand new—the price tag was still on the strap, probably too hard for the mom to break off,” Delaney said.

Garrett stilled, eyeing her. “Exactly. I’m guessing they just came from the market down the street.” He pointed at her. “Thompson, how do you feel about going into the neighborhood marketplace and pretending you’re trying to find some cute shoes for your niece. Buy a pair for Zim’s FTIR.”

Oh. The plan centered on her. Her eyebrows rose into her hair. “I . . . I’m not an operator, but I’ll do what I can. What if I don’t find the shoes?” A worse thought hit her and tied her tummy in knots. “What if Hakim is here, in the market, and he sees me?”

He tapped his finger on his chin, then nodded. “You’re not an operator, but you are fearless and bold. And two gruff operators going in looking at sparkly shoes would draw attention.”

“Fearless?” That word almost took her breath. “But you’re right . . . it would look odd for you two to go in.” She cocked her head, then circled back to one particular thought that still had her heart jammed in her throat. “You really think I’m fearless?”

“Wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.” He quirked an eyebrow. “You said I was a good leader.”

She had meant it too. “I did.”

His eyes held hers.

Fearless. Bold. That’s how Garrett saw her? Not frozen, incapable?

Zim snickered.

Oh yeah, Zim and Caldwell were standing right there.

Delaney lowered her eyes, biting her lip, halfway grinning. What had this turned into between her and Garrett?

“So, you good to do this?” Garrett asked.

She looked around at the team. “I am.” She drew in a steadying breath. “So, do I say, ‘I’m looking for chemical weapons—where are the shoes?’”

Caldwell snorted, rolled his eyes.

Garrett chuckled. “You probably wouldn’t get very far with that, Rogue,” he teased back.

Flashing him a smile, she nodded. “Okay, so I’ll find a friendly booth owner?—”

“Who speaks English,” Garrett added.

“That’d be helpful.” Her nerves were playing havoc with her. “And I say, ‘My niece is infatuated with shoes. Is there a booth selling any little girls’ shoes here?’”

“Something like that. Keep it simple. Buy a trinket from the booth.”

Caldwell nodded. “If anyone asks why you’re in Jakarta, say you’re visiting Southeast Asia with friends. Best lies are the ones based in truth, and they’re easier to remember later.”

“Good point. I’m definitely not good at lying.” She twisted her lips to the side. “I am actually in Southeast Asia with friends”—she stole a peek at Garrett, and she felt the heat of his gaze to her toes—“so that’s not a real lie.”

“We’ll be near and on comms, so you won’t be alone,” Garrett said. “Nice and easy. No worries.”

Yeah, despite her feelings for him, they were friends. And that was enough. “No worries.” They high-fived.

Caldwell walked over to the corner and reached into the durable plastic bin where he kept his tech, pulled out comms pieces for everyone. His eyes were tight as he handed her one.

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