Page 21 of Ricochet

“Not the best, but we won’t be here all day,” the driver confirmed.

“Super.” Sophia fidgeted. “Can anyone reach my purse?”

Javier reached into the SUV’s hatchback. “Nope. Sorry.”

“It’ll clear up.” The driver flashed a promising smile in the rearview mirror.“Do you want to reschedule your flights?”

“We had some wiggle room,” she said. “Let’s wait it out and run for it.”

The driver laughed and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “My kind of girl.”

Javier and Colin joined in banter and killed time with stories, learning how the driver, Marcus, joined Titan’s network of trustworthy contractors to be called upon at any time. He was a formerArmy Ranger, and this was his “retirement job,” something to keep him from going stir crazy at home while his wife scrapbooked their grandchildren’s every waking moment.

Forty-five minutes later, they broke free of a nasty accident, and Marcus did his best to get them to Dulles. They slid into an open spot on the curb, rushed to check their bags—and failed.

“Can’t check bags curbside this closeto the flight.” And they were directed inside.

“I should’ve known we’d have to run,” Sophia grumbled. “These aren’t running shoes.”

“You had to pack this much for a weekend wedding.” Javier grabbed bags.

“I’ve got it.” She swatted away his hands.

Colin grabbed one of hers. “We’re good. Breathe.”

“Breathing,” she snapped at Javier.

“I didn’t tell you to breathe.”

“Nice start,” Colin mutteredand started to see why vacationers were such fun travelers to be around. “Let’s go.”

They bungled their way inside with all the finesse of water buffalo pushing through sliding glass doors, found the right airline, nowhere near the outside check-in, and waited.

And waited.

Waiting still.

For self-service kiosks.

“Do you know what I’d give for Parker right now?” Javier muttered.

“He’s probablywatching and laughing his ass off.” Colin dropped everything as Sophia requested her purse from him. “I don’t have it.”

“Me either,” Javier said.

“What!” She stomped over, inspecting, accompanied by the groans of the people behind them. “Colin!”

“Yeah?” He didn’t look up from the screen, trying to follow the directions.Golf clubs? No. Military. Not today. Armed? Uh…

“Thisis my purse.” Sheheld up small fabric bag.

That wasn’t a purse but more like a mini-duffel bag. He waved her out of the way. “‘Kay, Soph. I’ve gotta deal with this.” Looking over her head, he tried to flag down the one person servicing about a thousand travelers. “Javier.”

Colin checked over his shoulder to find Javier with the same oh-fuck stare.

Sophia caught their mirrored looks. “What?” Her lips parted—andfell. “Don’t tell me you didn’t realize you couldn’t waltz through security with guns strapped to you.”

“Well…” Colin decided it was safer to stare at the offending kiosk.

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