Page 3 of Bulletproof Jack: Hunting Lee Child's Jack Reacher

Lucas heard an announcement in the background. “Are you at a train station?”

“Airport. And they’re calling my flight. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”

“Okay, but—” Lucas stopped speaking when he realized he was talking to dead air.

He disconnected and returned the phone to his pocket, picking up his pace. He wanted to believe he was closer to locating his brother. Which wasn’t likely.

His brother was a genius. But he could also be incredibly stupid about normal risks of daily living. Such as protecting his personal safety from those who would harm him.

Lucas had been defending his brother against physical attacks since they were boys. Some things never changed.

As he approached the entrance to Otto’s building, Lucas considered hiding the burner phone behind a bush in one of the oversized flowerpots near the front door. He could pick it up again on his way out.

But after he told Otto everything, she’d want to talk privately to his contact. Reacher had spoken directly to him, not to Lucas.

Thus, the phone’s sophisticated encryption and the extreme care with which Lucas handled the burner. This one couldn’t be lost or stolen or damaged before Otto had a chance to use it. His brother’s life depended on Lucas’s particular skill set, and it was ever thus.

Lucas stood across the street from Otto’s building, watching those who entered and departed. He noted nothing of concern.

He crossed the street in the crosswalk at the traffic light on the corner along with half a dozen pedestrians. He followed along behind them past the front entry door.

He looked through the glass.

A long reception desk was opposite the door. A doorman was normally posted there, but right now, the desk was unmanned. The doorman wouldn’t be away very long.

Lucas seized his chance.

He turned his back to the security cameras, neutralized the locking mechanism using the cloned key card in his pocket, and ducked through.

Inside, CCTV cameras were strategically placed and continuously recording. Lucas turned up his collar and dipped his chin, avoiding the cameras as much as possible to conceal his identity.

He hurried toward the elevators.

He’d studied the building’s blueprints and property records. Otto’s apartment was on one of the higher floors, with a north-facing panoramic view of the city.

The elevator would be easier than the stairs, but more dangerous, too. The doorman was more likely to notice the elevator’s movements on one of the screens at his desk. And Lucas could be trapped inside an elevator with no easy escape routes.

He’d lived a good long time in this business precisely because he didn’t take unnecessary risks.

Lucas slipped into the stairwell and skipped up the stairs two at a time.

When he reached Otto’s floor, his heartbeat was barely elevated, breathing easily.

Lucas adjusted his clothing, patted the burner and the counterfeit key card still resting in his front pocket, opened the heavy fire door, and exited from the stairwell into the hallway.

Otto’s apartment was four doors down on his right.

He moved purposefully. As if the doorman had called the resident for permission and he’d stepped out of the elevator on the correct floor. Should nosy neighbors be watching through their peepholes.

Lucas approached Otto’s door. It was recessed slightly. There was a doorbell on the right and a wide-angle peephole in the center of the door, fifty-six inches from the floor. Which meant at or near Otto’s eye level. She could easily see him by looking through it.

Of course, she’d check first since the doorman hadn’t buzzed him up.

Seeing Lucas there, she might not open the door at all. Perhaps she’d call the police or her friends at the FBI allowing him no chance to explain.

Lucas had considered all of the ways this could go wrong. But he’d missed her at her club, and she was in for the night now. Nothing else he could do at this point. Only one choice. Plan B it was.

He stood in the center of the doorway, facing forward, allowing Otto to see him clearly. He wanted her to believe he was no threat to her.

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