CHAPTER
EIGHT
The mic is at the thick end, see? Matt said, his fraternity ring glinting on his chubby finger as he held the pliable wire out. Silas took it, slumping in the folding chair at the stupidity of it all. The SWAT-size van smelled like his first college apartment, and the snap of ozone, electronics, and locker-room BO curled his lips. He felt cramped even sitting in the oversize aisle, and the faint but insistent electronic whine of the floor-to-ceiling surveillance equipment went right through his head.
It didnt help that he was mentally exhausted after an afternoon of putting his life on a shelf for who knew how long. Despite everyones belief that it was a three-hour job, Silas knew better. Acquiring her might take one night, but to bring her back successfully would take longer.
On its own, it has a reach of about four feet, Matt was saying, and Silas tuned out the slightly overweight tech geek, almost embarrassed at his enthusiasm. Thats why you need the phone, see? Just coil it up in a pocket out of sight and the phone will boost it to me.
Just kill me now. Silass gaze slid to the white slab of plastic beside the duffel theyd prepped for him, the oversize phone looking out-of-date and clunky. All the way out here to your van? Silas said, but Matt didnt recognize his sarcasm. The techs tie was loose about his neck, and the black pants and white shirt screamed off-the-rack. His index fingernail was notched to snap nicotine caps.
Its mostly one-way, but if we have something need-to-know, well text. No wires behind your ears to give you away. Nice, huh?
Silas sighed. His fingers were too big to hit the phones tiny buttons. Texting would be a pain in the ass. Can I use my phone? he asked, and the curly-haired tech started, aghast.
No! he blurted, as if Silas was being stupid. Its not just a phone. Its full of stuff you need! God! Why do they keep sending me newbies?
Silas rubbed his aching head as he imagined what Matt had wedged into the tiny bit of outdated electronics. Tracker, certainly, addresses for safe houses, contact numbers, and apps to find the nearest coffee shop. But it was too small for him to use, and if he tried, shed realize he was something he wasnt. Besides, his phone was glass, the technology light-years ahead of what the alliance had.
Keep it, he said, and Matt fell back into his rolling chair, vexed. Im not wearing a wire.
Matt filled the silence with downing his Dew, making it into a show of frustration and disdain. It would be better if you wore it. Sir.
Why dont you just hang a sign around my neck saying ABDUCTOR? Silas said, his voice growing louder. You dont think shes going to see the buttons are too small for me to work? She is a finely tuned piece of paranoid intuition.
Only because we made her that way, Matt said, and Silasleaned in, shoving the wire into Matts front shirt pocket.
Then maybe I dont want you hearing what I have to say. Everything youve given me is old tech and no-name brands. No one buys this stuff because its military crap. Ill stick out.
Expression dark, Matt pulled the wire out and dropped it into Silass open duffel. That imported coat of yours will stick out worse. And the wire doesnt need to be showing, he added angrily. Its designed to coil up in a pocket. Thats why you need the booster.
Impatient, Silas glanced at his watch. It was almost six. Hed been here an hour, and his first impression that they were going to get her killed hadnt changed. I didnt say shed see it, he said, scanning the van for anything useful. I said it would give me away. If I need you, Ill call. On my phone. You have the number, right?
Yeah, I got your number, Matt said sullenly, then sucked down another gulp of caffeine and sugar as he eyed Silass coat, carefully folded over the back of his chair.
Silas pulled the duffel closer and threw the coiled wire up into the drivers seat. Pushing past the military gray sweats, he took out the tasteless, no-name running shoes. Like Im going to run anywhere? The clink of medical vials drew his attention, and anger simmered as he recognized the heavy drugs. My God, they were butchers.
You can keep these, too, he said, dropping the vials on the counter in disgust.
Matt shifted his rolling chair back and forth in agitation. How will you know shes got the information if you dont do a defrag?
He didnt want to get into her brain, afraid he might find himself there. Maybe I can just ask her? he said, ready to walk away. If they didnt give him the freedom to do this right, it wasnt going to work. I can use this, though, he said, leaning to take the slick touchpad hidden under a coffee-stained cup. It wasnt glass, but he was betting it had this years operating system.
Hey! Thats mine! Matt protested, and Silas flipped it open, his eyebrows rising in pleasure. All the right apps in all the right places.
So its not going to be bugged, then, is it? Silas tucked it behind his coat. It was scratched enough to be real, and if it belonged to Matt, it would have everything hed need.
Give it back, Matt demanded, afraid to force the issue.
Soon as Im done with it. From outside, a car door slammed, then another. The flickering vid screen at the front showed a long black car and a tall woman in formal cocktail dress striding forward, flanked by her driver. Beyond the car was the river and one of Detroits casinos, looking dead in the low sun. Someones at the door, he said, and Matt spun at the sudden hammering.
EIGHT
The mic is at the thick end, see? Matt said, his fraternity ring glinting on his chubby finger as he held the pliable wire out. Silas took it, slumping in the folding chair at the stupidity of it all. The SWAT-size van smelled like his first college apartment, and the snap of ozone, electronics, and locker-room BO curled his lips. He felt cramped even sitting in the oversize aisle, and the faint but insistent electronic whine of the floor-to-ceiling surveillance equipment went right through his head.
It didnt help that he was mentally exhausted after an afternoon of putting his life on a shelf for who knew how long. Despite everyones belief that it was a three-hour job, Silas knew better. Acquiring her might take one night, but to bring her back successfully would take longer.
On its own, it has a reach of about four feet, Matt was saying, and Silas tuned out the slightly overweight tech geek, almost embarrassed at his enthusiasm. Thats why you need the phone, see? Just coil it up in a pocket out of sight and the phone will boost it to me.
Just kill me now. Silass gaze slid to the white slab of plastic beside the duffel theyd prepped for him, the oversize phone looking out-of-date and clunky. All the way out here to your van? Silas said, but Matt didnt recognize his sarcasm. The techs tie was loose about his neck, and the black pants and white shirt screamed off-the-rack. His index fingernail was notched to snap nicotine caps.
Its mostly one-way, but if we have something need-to-know, well text. No wires behind your ears to give you away. Nice, huh?
Silas sighed. His fingers were too big to hit the phones tiny buttons. Texting would be a pain in the ass. Can I use my phone? he asked, and the curly-haired tech started, aghast.
No! he blurted, as if Silas was being stupid. Its not just a phone. Its full of stuff you need! God! Why do they keep sending me newbies?
Silas rubbed his aching head as he imagined what Matt had wedged into the tiny bit of outdated electronics. Tracker, certainly, addresses for safe houses, contact numbers, and apps to find the nearest coffee shop. But it was too small for him to use, and if he tried, shed realize he was something he wasnt. Besides, his phone was glass, the technology light-years ahead of what the alliance had.
Keep it, he said, and Matt fell back into his rolling chair, vexed. Im not wearing a wire.
Matt filled the silence with downing his Dew, making it into a show of frustration and disdain. It would be better if you wore it. Sir.
Why dont you just hang a sign around my neck saying ABDUCTOR? Silas said, his voice growing louder. You dont think shes going to see the buttons are too small for me to work? She is a finely tuned piece of paranoid intuition.
Only because we made her that way, Matt said, and Silasleaned in, shoving the wire into Matts front shirt pocket.
Then maybe I dont want you hearing what I have to say. Everything youve given me is old tech and no-name brands. No one buys this stuff because its military crap. Ill stick out.
Expression dark, Matt pulled the wire out and dropped it into Silass open duffel. That imported coat of yours will stick out worse. And the wire doesnt need to be showing, he added angrily. Its designed to coil up in a pocket. Thats why you need the booster.
Impatient, Silas glanced at his watch. It was almost six. Hed been here an hour, and his first impression that they were going to get her killed hadnt changed. I didnt say shed see it, he said, scanning the van for anything useful. I said it would give me away. If I need you, Ill call. On my phone. You have the number, right?
Yeah, I got your number, Matt said sullenly, then sucked down another gulp of caffeine and sugar as he eyed Silass coat, carefully folded over the back of his chair.
Silas pulled the duffel closer and threw the coiled wire up into the drivers seat. Pushing past the military gray sweats, he took out the tasteless, no-name running shoes. Like Im going to run anywhere? The clink of medical vials drew his attention, and anger simmered as he recognized the heavy drugs. My God, they were butchers.
You can keep these, too, he said, dropping the vials on the counter in disgust.
Matt shifted his rolling chair back and forth in agitation. How will you know shes got the information if you dont do a defrag?
He didnt want to get into her brain, afraid he might find himself there. Maybe I can just ask her? he said, ready to walk away. If they didnt give him the freedom to do this right, it wasnt going to work. I can use this, though, he said, leaning to take the slick touchpad hidden under a coffee-stained cup. It wasnt glass, but he was betting it had this years operating system.
Hey! Thats mine! Matt protested, and Silas flipped it open, his eyebrows rising in pleasure. All the right apps in all the right places.
So its not going to be bugged, then, is it? Silas tucked it behind his coat. It was scratched enough to be real, and if it belonged to Matt, it would have everything hed need.
Give it back, Matt demanded, afraid to force the issue.
Soon as Im done with it. From outside, a car door slammed, then another. The flickering vid screen at the front showed a long black car and a tall woman in formal cocktail dress striding forward, flanked by her driver. Beyond the car was the river and one of Detroits casinos, looking dead in the low sun. Someones at the door, he said, and Matt spun at the sudden hammering.
