Payback

38

Dean held his breath as the Peruvian fumbled in the darkness for the light switch. Instead of finding the light, he happened on the paper towel dispenser; he pulled out some paper and made his way back to the nearby door.

Dean slipped out of his stall, holding his breath as he tried to hear the man’s footsteps.

“He’s back up in the lobby,” said Rockman.

Dean opened the door and slipped out. He had the blowpipe in his hand and his rucksack slung over his other shoulder. Karr went to the safe, spinning the dial to clear the combination.

“Are you there, Rockman?” asked Dean, stopping near the steps.

“We’re here, Charlie,” said Telach. “The lobby’s clear. The replacements are on their way from the police station. You have about three minutes to get out. We’re controlling the video. Go!”

Fifteen minutes later, Dean and Karr were outside the back of the building, moving slowly along an alley toward the rendezvous spot with Lia. They had to duck an army patrol before crossing the street, but once past that, reached the avenue where they were to meet without seeing anyone. Lia, approaching in the car, blinked her lights twice and pulled over. Dean and Karr both shoved into the back and she took off.

“I feel like a chauffeur,” she said.

“Not a bad career move,” said Karr.

“We couldn’t get them all in,” Dean told her. “There were two left when the guards came in.”

“I’ll get them tomorrow,” said Lia.

“We can always get them once they’re shipped Friday,” said Dean.

“It’s no big deal.”