Toys

Chapter 94

I took off again, running at half speed now, looking for anybody who might have witnessed the killing of my former partner, my former friend. The murder of an Elite agent was a serious, almost unprecedented crime punishable by slow death.

When I rounded the corner of the alley onto the next street, I spotted two women. They were a few blocks ahead, trying to hurry away. But they were slow, very slow. One was old-and the other was carrying a wee baby. I knew them.

“Shanna, Corliss,” I called as I raced toward them. “I need to talk to you. It’s Hays Baker. Remember me?”

I thought they’d welcome me, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Shanna turned with a glare full of fear and fury. “I thought you were a friend!” she screamed. “You brought the cops.”

I was stunned. Hadn’t I helped deliver her child? “What are you talking about? That’s crazy. Why would you say such a thing?”

“That agent was looking for you,” Corliss said-calmer, but nearly as hostile. “He was going to kill us all. And there’ll be more of them here now!” The two of them turned and hurried into nearby buildings.

“Leave us alone!” Corliss called back. “You’re nothing but trouble. You’ll get us killed.”

I let them go, but pieces started clicking together in my mind. Not many people could have taken McGill down like that-only a few top Elite agents. But it was unthinkable that they’d ever turn on him. Most of them liked the cocky lout-just as I once had.

So what enemy did he have who hated him that much? And who had the courage to fight him, the skill to beat him, the strength to rip him apart?

The question burned in my mind, but no answer came. I knew that even I couldn’t have brought down McGill by myself.

Suddenly, I heard the low growl of a motorbike. It was coming in my direction, coming fast. I swung around to face whoever was roaring up behind me. This couldn’t be good, had to be bad.

As the cycle streaked into sight, the rider hit the brakes and leaned into a long, controlled skid straight at me.

“Jesus, Lucy!”

She brought the bike to a sharp, precise stop, the front wheel nearly touching my boots. Her eyes were shining, her hands were stained with what I assumed was Owen McGill’s blood.

“Hays, you shouldn’t be here” was her greeting.

Just this once, I shut her up. I kissed Lucy until she finally kissed me back.