"You'll just have to suffer. Go now. And remember, I have eyes and ears in the sky. No funny business."
"I'm not feeling humorous today, don't worry." Just put one foot in front of the other, Jo. Go. With a sigh, I amble out of my office. "I'm leaving for the day," I tell Shannon. "Something came up. I'll be back in a few days. Hold down the fort."
I don't wait for her response, I just keep moving. In exactly thirty seconds, she'll send a text to Cam that I've left for the meet. "Ground floor," Jordan says as I enter the elevator. "Then walk to the Gaines Street Metro station, South platform."
"I could just take a taxi to the airstrip," I offer.
"You go where I say the moment I say it or the bomb set to prime in the Thornton wing blows."
Oh shit. "That's not necessary."
"Simply insurance. You asked for this, Joanna." He pauses. "Metro. You have five minutes."
The elevator ride takes an eternity as workers keep getting on. A few attempt conversation but my glare stops their words. Boss of the year, me. Like most, I get off on the first floor and trek through the lobby with its water features and golden "PI" logo a story tall. No one stops me as I rush out to the street. Somewhere Kowalski sits parked, waiting to pull out in a fake cab in case Jordan went for my suggested mode of transportation. He'll still trail me as he's linked to the tracker in my shoe.
I wasn't lying. It's damn cold, low forties, with the wind pounding against me. I hurry the three blocks to the Metro, occasionally glancing back to see if I have any shadows. Only one person I recognize. "Yes, you are being tailed," Jordan says. "Eyes forward, Joanna."
The station is bustling with commuters. Thank goodness not a one pays me any attention. I swipe my Metro card and walk to the south platform. "Find the bench in front of the poster of Our Lady Hospital, then get in the train car directly in front of it. Hurry. The train's arriving."
Shit. Advertisements line the entire red and white tiled wall. Just as the train pulls in, I find the spot. I dash into the car as told. This ordeal just began and already I'm exhausted. "Remain standing and don't get off until I say so."
"Roger."
The train jerks to a start. Bye, Kowalski. Hope you made the train, Mirabelle. Three, four, five stations pass, all the opposite direction of the airport. Not that I expected to arrive there. That would be far too easy. I wall up my terror somehow and brick by hard won brick until I'm numb. Alert, but numb. I'm aware of everyone around me. No one is above suspicion. The college student with the purple hair. The tourist checking me out without his wife noticing. The businessman beside me chatting to his mistress on his cell. Mirabelle keeping an eye on me through the glass partition between the cars. I learned hand to hand combat skills at the police academy, even how to disarm someone, I'm ready to strike if necessary. The doors begin closing at the sixth station when Jordan yells, "Get off the train! Now!"
Shit. I leap through the doors just before they shut. Bye, Mirabelle. "Go to the opposite platform and embark the next train." I'm like a trained seal jumping through hoops. I keep leaping though. This time I only ride two stops before he orders me off. "Find the hospital poster to your left." I walk down the wall and spot it. "See the maintenance door beside? Enter."
The door opens without issue. I take one step inside when a hand clamps on my free wrist, yanking me all the way inside. I gasp and try to pull it away. "Stop struggling," Jordan says. "He won't harm you unless you make him."
I recognize Gary Acevedo as my assailant. "Hi, Gary. James Ryder says hello," I say as he shuts the door.
"Strip," Jordan says over the Bluetooth.
"Excuse me?"
"Take off all your clothes, underwear included. He won't touch you."
Wonderful. I've gone from seal to stripper. Without hesitation, I remove my sweater, pants, jewelry, undergarments, the whole lot. To his credit, Acevedo doesn't leer. He's all business. "Yes, sir?" Acevedo listens over his Bluetooth. He picks up the bag beside him, removing a white bra and panties.
"Put those on," Jordan says, "then spread your arms and legs. He's going to check you for trackers." Ugh. I assume the position as Acevedo sweeps a black rod over my body. It buzzes when it reaches my arm. Jordan tsks over the earpiece. "I told you no bugs."
"Can't blame a girl for trying."
"And you can't blame me for this. Present your arm. This will hurt."
Acevedo receives his instructions before pulling out a scalpel and tweezers. I can't look. I stare at the broom and pan in the corner as the scalpel slices me apart. "Think happy thoughts, Joanna," Jordan says in my ear. I whimper as the tweezers plunge into the hole and root around in there. Fuck that hurts! I bite my lower lip to stop from crying out. "Who is on the other end of that bug?"