Page 29 of Bulletproof Jack: Hunting Lee Child's Jack Reacher

“He’s probably looking for Lucas.”

“No way to head off Westwood’s questions indefinitely. He’s gonna notice Lucas is missing and there’s only two of us when we get there.”

“Yeah, and not answering will raise his internal radar and make him suspicious,” Kim shrugged. “But that can’t be helped. We’ll deal with it when it happens.”

At the border checkpoint, a single agent sat alone in a booth vetting would-be visitors before he allowed them through.

“Looks like things are moving along well enough,” Russell said, glancing at the clock on the dashboard. “We’re right on time.”

Vehicles were stopped behind a swing arm gate until the agent pressed a button to lift the arm. The single line of vehicles waited quietly, approaching the gate one at a time.

When it was their turn, Kim held her breath as she passed through the gate.

“Passports, please,” the agent said, looking into the SUV.

Kim handed the blue US passports into the booth.

“What’s your reason for entering Canada today?” the agent asked pleasantly as he swiped both passports through the electronic reader.

“We’re visiting Niagara Falls,” Kim replied.

“How long do you plan to stay in Canada?” he asked while briefly checking the results of the passport scan on his screen.

“Couple of days,” Kim said.

“Have a great visit,” he replied with a welcoming smile as he returned the passports and waved permission to pass through.

Kim cleared the checkpoint and followed the nav system guidance across the Peace Bridge into Canada. After that, she followed the signs toward Niagara Falls.

Russell had punched the Clark Hotel address into the navigation system. Estimated travel time from Cleveland was three hours and thirty-two minutes.

Kim’s lead foot had shaved twenty minutes off the estimate while they’d traveled on the interstate, but now traffic in the town was moving at a crawl.

It was exactly eight thirty-two, just as the nav guidance had predicted.

“Machines will be the death of us all,” she said with a grin.

“I’m surprised there’s still so much traffic,” Russell replied, as they advanced toward the majestic Horseshoe Falls.

Kim had been to Niagara Falls before. With her parents on a family vacation when she was a teen. And a couple of times since then for conferences and business trips. The Canadian side boasted much for tourists to love. Stellar views, a zip line, boat tours, good restaurants, a couple of casinos, and more.

“You shouldn’t be surprised about the traffic. The views of the falls and outdoor activities are popular with international travelers and locals alike. It’s another hour before sunset, and it won’t be dark for almost an hour after that,” Kim replied. “No way to avoid the crowds for a few hours yet.”

“Then we’ll need to contend with tourists enjoying the nightlife,” Russell said. “There’s fireworks scheduled and who knows what else going on out there.”

“More than ten million people visit here every year from all over the world, according to the PR department,” Kim replied with a grin. “Let’s just hope they’re not all here tonight.”

There were two tall buildings ahead with red Clark Hotel signs lighting the tops. One hotel was obviously taller and newer than the other. The older one was positioned for stunning views of the Niagara Falls area, including both Horseshoe Falls and the US Falls, as well as the Niagara River.

The SUV’s navigation system routed them toward the older hotel where they expected to meet Westwood.

Kim turned into a one-way street. Two blocks down, the Clark Hotel entrance was on the left. A knot of tourists stood near the valet stand waiting as runners delivered and removed their vehicles.

“This place is busy, too,” Russell said, craning his neck to observe all sides of the street. “We can use that to our advantage.”

“We can try to melt into the crowd. But surveillance cameras are everywhere around here,” Kim replied. “The Niagara Falls area is always a potential terrorist target. Power stations, bridges, and drinking water plants are vulnerable, among other things.”

“With any luck, these tourists are all self-involved and no one will focus on us.”

---