Page 82 of Trained

Perfect.

I can’t wait to see the look on Jamison’s face when I tell him that Anarchy, Inc. is no more. It’s going to be the most satisfying accomplishment since I took over the Masters. My first serious challenge, bested. They’ll see how wrong they were to doubt my capabilities.

“Two are getting out of the car and heading into the building,” reports Jesper.

“Roger,” says Nick. “Hadley, when you get there, head inside and find them. Keep a low profile. Swarzak, watch their car.”

“Understood.”

Five minutes pass by at a glacial pace as I watch the satellite feed, waiting for two figures to return to the green Maxima.

“What’s taking so long?” I ask.

Nick shrugs.

“There could be a line.”

“Or they stopped for a meal,” I say.

“No, they’re probably smart enough not to do that. Hadley will be there soon. He’ll let us know.”

“Tell him to hurry up.”

I spot Hadley and Swarzak’s vehicle on the tablet, weaving through traffic as they close in on the rest stop.

Does Kate have any idea how close she is to being reunited with her friend? That’s one small mercy she’ll enjoy before we take her back: a chance to have a taste of her old life, even if only it’s for a few minutes before it gets ripped away again. And Mr. Zimmerman, how nice for him that he’ll have a chance to tell Kate he never gave up on her. He deserves whatever catharsis comes from this moment. Who knows? Maybe there will be some way of painting them as the heroes who helped take down Death. If Kate could be made to obey, why not Brendan too? It’s a fun thought — one I can consider later. I’ll have ample time to decide their fates.

Two of the icons on my tablet disappear. A red X appears over their car.

“What the fuck just happened?” I ask.

“Shit,” says Nick. “Those were Zimmerman’s cell phones; we’ve lost their signal. Damnit, Hadley get in there now! We need a visual! And block the exit — don’t let anyone leave. All other units, get back on the freeway and get to that rest stop!”

“Did they destroy the phones?” I ask when Nick finishes.

“Probably. I didn’t like that they brought them in the first place. It seemed like a dumb mistake.”

My stomach churns.

“Did they lead us here on purpose? Could this be another trap?”

Nick rolls his head around on his neck.

“Maybe. It doesn’t fit Death’s past methods: he’s always attacked us in isolated places with easy escape routes and no civilians around. If they try something at a public rest stop, there will be collateral damage and they’ll only have one way out. That’s not how they’ve operated.”

Well, if it is a trap, Hadley and Swarzak will be the ones to spring it.

On my tablet, I switch from satellite view to Hadley’s bodycam. Swarzak drops him off, then speeds off to the rest stop’s exit and swerves, blocking the lane. Hadley heads inside the facility, a relatively small building offering little more than restrooms, vending machines and a few benches and tables. A clerk sits at a desk between two large boards full of pamphlets; he turns to look outside as honking horns blare from the parking lot. Hadley hurries into the men’s room and checks the stalls, but none are occupied.

Nobody in sight looks like Brendan Zimmerman.

“What the hell is going on?” the clerk says, rising from his desk.

“Excuse me,” Hadley shouts. “My name is Agent Vance, I’m with the FBI. My partner and I are searching for a pair of escaped convicts. I need you all to remain calm while we search the area.”

For fuck’s sake. A dozen muffled conversations fill the small room as people take their seats.

“Hadley, check the car,” says Nick. “Swarzak, flash your badge and direct all the civilians inside.”

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