Ratio(86)

“I don’t know about that,” said Leopold, as the first hints of rain began to fall. “But if we’re now officially off duty, I think it’s time I got that drink.”





Chapter 61





JUNE WATCHED THE sun disappear behind a gray cloud as the scenery flashed past. The Secret Service car kept to the speed limit the whole journey, the driver taking care to avoid drawing any attention. Instead of the usual black Suburban, the car was a late-model Ford sedan, basic and unremarkable. Nobody would give it a second glance. The driver rounded a corner, slowed and pulled up to a garage. He used a remote to open the door. Parked the car, killed the engine. The door rattled shut behind them.

The driver climbed out and scuttled around to the rear passenger door, held it open. June nodded in thanks and hoisted herself out of her seat, wincing as she put weight on her injured ankle.

This is going to take some getting used to, she thought. Paramedics had given her shoulder a field dressing after June had insisted a trip to the hospital could wait, but they couldn’t do much about the swelling in her foot. June had pulled off her shoe, given it some room, but she didn’t fancy her chances walking barefoot across the garage. She slipped it back on, and hobbled toward a wooden door she assumed led through to the kitchen. The driver offered his assistance, but June refused.

The door opened into the house, warm and inviting. An agent stood near the refrigerator, looked up as she walked in. The lights were on, a warm light that made her forget about the dreary weather outside. A gas fire in the living room cast a flickering amber glow over the carpet.

A man sat in one of the armchairs. He stood up as June drew closer, turned around. Handsome features lit up in a wide smile, white teeth gleaming.

“June Kato, you sure are a sight for sore eyes.” Jack Melendez took a step forward, held his arms out.

“You look like hell,” June said, letting him put his arms around her. And it was true. His hair was unkempt, dark circles under his eyes. It looked like he had aged ten years in the last few hours.

She pulled away. “You left me there,” she said.

Jack’s eyes looked at the floor. He sagged a little. “I know. I don’t know how I can forgive myself. They told me what happened.” He looked up. “You’re one hell of a woman, June. Look at me, I need a Goddamn team of security guards to keep my ass out of the fire. Maybe I should be taking lessons from you.”

June allowed herself a smile. “I could definitely teach you a thing or two.”

He sighed. “Look, it won’t always be like this. I’m not someone who runs from his problems. I didn’t know they wouldn’t be back for you, I –”

“I know, Jack.” She looked into his eyes, caught the sadness in them. All at once, the last few hours were forgotten. She grabbed hold of his arms with both hands. “I know you didn’t mean to run off,” she said. “I know you would have done all you could, if anyone had let you.”

“June…”

“How about we start over? This whole weekend was doomed, right from the start. How about we try again?”

Jack hesitated. June could feel him trembling slightly under her touch. He moved in a little closer. She could smell the cologne on his body, warm and comforting. In the corner of her eye, she saw the Secret Service agent turn his head away.

“I’d like that,” Jack said. “I’d like that very much indeed.”

June felt him pull her toward him, and let her head rest in the contours of his chest. She breathed him in, letting his scent envelop her. And in that moment, even if it was just a moment, June believed in her heart that everything might just work out.





Chapter 62





JONNY YAMADA GRIPPED the steering wheel a little tighter. He had parked his car a block from his home, on the opposite side of the road. It offered him a clear view of his front yard. He couldn’t make out any unfamiliar vehicles in the vicinity. There was no movement inside the house that he could see.

He took a deep breath and steadied his nerves. It was risky heading back home, but unavoidable. His fake IDs and his cash were all stashed in his bedroom. No way he’d make it without either. It was also the first place Kanezaki and his thugs would think to look. Jonny only prayed he’d made it out of the hotel in time to beat them there. His life depended on it.

The skies had darkened, a thick cover of gray clouds blocking out the sun. Evening was fast approaching, and the street lamps had started to come on, glowing dull orange. He stepped out of the car, taking care to shut the door as quietly as possible, and headed for his back door. He used the bushes and shrubs lining the street as cover, vaulting the knee-high fence that wrapped around his back yard before fumbling for his keys.