Second Strike

CHAPTER 27

^{CLEVELAND, OHIO,}

^{AUGUST 15, 4:02 P.M. EDT}

Garin awoke slightly disoriented as the plane taxied toward Gate C29 at Cleveland Hopkins Airport. The two and a half hours of sleep hadn’t been nearly enough, and he was sore and stiffer than when he’d boarded the plane.

Garin remained seated as the other passengers gathered their items from the overhead bins and moved toward the exit. He took one last opportunity to survey as many of the passengers as he could, although most had their backs to him.

Garin trailed the last passenger up the aisle to the galley, where the senior flight attendant, as promised, had an extra-large cup of coffee waiting for him. Garin downed the cold coffee in a couple of gulps, grateful for the infusion of caffeine. He thanked her and proceeded up the Jetway to the terminal.

Foot traffic along the concourse was moderate, permitting Garin a relatively unobstructed view of those who populated it. Although he put nothing past Bor, who was capable of the most brazen of acts, Garin knew it was extraordinarily unlikely anything would happen within the terminal. As Garin walked in the direction of the parking garage, he pulled out yet another burner and called Dan Dwyer, who picked up immediately.

“What’s the latest?” Garin asked.

“Luci’s here with Congo. She told Olivia about your dance in Dallas, and I told her about the party in Georgia. Olivia was hesitant to go to her boss with just that, but she did anyway. I haven’t heard from her since she left, but she should’ve spoken to him by now.”

“Why was she hesitant?”

“CYA syndrome. In her defense, it’s not exactly conclusive evidence.”

“Of all people, she should know what we’re up against. Who we’re up against.”

“She does,” Dwyer assured him. “Remember, she’s still a civilian. For a civilian she’s a good soldier. Cut her some slack.”

“No one gets any slack, Dan. No one.”

Dwyer sighed. “What are we up against, anyway?”

“I hope to find out very soon,” Garin replied.

“Who are we up against? Beyond our scary friend?”

“That’s not for this call, Dan. No markers.”

“You’re using a throwaway and my system’s as secure as it gets.”

“Not for this call.”

“That bad?”

“Think about it.”

Dwyer sighed again. “What’s next?”

“I’m pretty sure I’ll know soon. Very soon,” Garin said. “Am I all set?”

“All set. Keep me posted. I’ll do the same.”

Garin terminated the call as he passed Gate C3. In the window overlooking the tarmac he caught the reflection of a woman walking a few steps behind him. It was a woman who had been seated four rows before him on the flight. Her lips were moving—just barely—as if she were whispering to herself. And he caught the glint of a small device in her ear.