Page 61 of Bulletproof Jack: Hunting Lee Child's Jack Reacher

The woman was seated on the chair near the lamp. She was wearing dark glasses. She must have slipped them over her eyes just before she turned on the light. Before that, she’d probably worn night vision.

As promised, she was holding a Glock pointed at Kim. After a moment, she removed the sunglasses to reveal dark lively eyes. She waited to let Kim take a good look at her.

She was Asian, but not petite. Five-nine maybe or even five-ten. And built to match. Not a bone in sight. Not the least bit willowy. Maybe forty-five. Long, black hair hanging down her back. Jeans and a T-shirt and lace up shoes.

Kim said, “Let’s level the playing field. Who are you?”

“My name is Michelle Chang. I’m a private detective based in Seattle. Previously, I was with the FBI. Just like you, Agent Otto.” Her accent was regular American midwestern. The kind Kim heard everywhere. “I tell you this so you’ll know I wasn’t bluffing. I’m really good with the Glock. Even in the dark. You can check bureau records for my test scores if you like. I’ve checked yours.”

Kim steadied her hands and willed her stomach to stop flipping over like a happy dolphin. “Anybody else here or expected to show up?”

“I’m assuming you’re not alone since FBI agents travel in pairs,” Chang said, lowering her weapon first as some sort of show of good faith or something.

She placed the Glock on the table next to her chair and moved her hand out of reaching distance.

“You’re sure I won’t shoot you, then,” Kim’s lip turned up in a slim smile.

“Absolutely positive. FBI agents don’t shoot civilians in the absence of an imminent threat,” Chang displayed her empty hands, palms out, and replied with the husky humor she’d displayed several times already. “I’m definitely a civilian. And I’ve been assured that you are a good agent. Is that true?”

Kim cocked her head. “Who told you that?”

Chang smiled. “He said you’d ask that question.”

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Chapter 25

Saturday, June 4

Hamilton, Ontario, CA

Liam Stuart lay wide awake, hands behind his head, staring at the knotty pine ceiling in the dark. A strong breeze whistled across the roof and around the sharp corners of the old cabin.

He was tired and weary and desperately needed sleep. The last time he’d slept well enough was the night before he’d been told the target’s name.

The same night he’d argued with Lucas because the target’s identity had soured everything that came before and after.

The overwhelming euphoria he’d felt when he completed the most difficult project of his career had been dashed beyond resurrection. It would take his cold, shriveled heart years to move past this failure.

Liam could barely remember the uncontained joy he’d felt just a few weeks ago, when he’d felt he owned the world and every possible future was his for the taking.

The Stiletto 100 drone was a spectacular breakthrough. The only one of its kind.

Stiletto 100 would give those who possessed it unparalleled advantages on the ground. He’d already imagined a dozen uses for the new weapon.

But he was required to demonstrate Stiletto 100 under field conditions as the final test of its functionality.

The successful final qualifications test, or FQT, of the Stiletto might be the highlight of his entire career. He imagined the feeling would be like winning the World Cup or the first man to walk on Mars or circumnavigating the globe faster than anyone had ever done before.

The FQT was usually the most exciting part of bringing any new weapon to market for Liam. He’d worked toward FQT for several products over the years as a junior and then senior member of the development team.

But this was the first new design for which he had been totally responsible. The Stiletto 100 was his baby, from conception to completion. He was proud of the work he’d done and excited to move from testing into production. The FQT was the last hurdle.

The Stiletto 100 would bring millions of dollars from buyers around the world. Liam would become famous in certain circles, infamous in others. No other weapons engineer on the planet had achieved such success in Liam’s lifetime.

He had been floating on pure joy whenever he imagined how the Stiletto 100 would change the world.

Liam couldn’t have been happier.

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