already had on hand, and I haven’t had time to pick up something more boring.”
“Ah, okay then.” Talia smiled, relieved that the boss wasn’t a complete nut job after all.
“Can’t you just use your telepathy?” Bubba asked. He looked at the delicate earring balanced on his palm the way I’d look at a cockroach.
“I don’t want to count on it. Finn was able to block my telepathy when they dumped me on the beach. I don’t want to risk us being out of contact.”
Bubba sighed and gave me a look that let me know in no uncertain terms that we would be discussing this later. Then he took out the simple onyx stud he usually wore and put the new earring on in its place.
He kept glowering until I passed him the rifle. The sour look vanished immediately, replaced by a toothy grin. I’d known he’d be happy about the rifle. “Would you look at this,” he purred, caressing it lovingly. “Isn’t this the one you—”
“Took from Jack Finn? Yes, it is. Spoils of war. You may not need it. But if you do, feel free.”
“Have you ever used a high-powered rifle, Bubba?” John Creede asked from behind me.
“Yes, I have.”
“Celia?” John was questioning my abilities and decisions. Again. I didn’t like it. Not even a little. But I didn’t want to piss him off. Then he might not let my people in on the operation. So I managed to be mostly polite when I replied.
“Why yes, John, I have used a high-powered rifle. I’ve also used a flame thrower and a grenade launcher.”
Talia’s eyes went wide. Bubba just grinned and said, “Tell him about the tank.”
I scowled at my longtime friend. The tank story was not one I cared to share. It was just too embarrassing. “That was a long time ago and we are
Bubba laughed. John just shook his head in amusement. “Fine, fine. I doubt you’ll need it, but I’ve never regretted having extra weapons.”
He extended his hand to Talia. “I’m afraid I didn’t give Celia a chance to introduce us. I’m John Creede.”
“Talia Han. And I’ve used similar rifles in the service. I’ve got the marksmanship medals to prove it.” I wanted to grin; having Talia continue my theme did wonders for my sense of humor.
But I kept a straight face as I wondered if I’d given the rifle to the wrong employee. Then again, Bubba was no fool. If he thought she was a better shot, he’d give her the weapon.
“Celia, do you have a moment?” John asked. “I’d like to speak to you alone.”
I nodded and said, “Guys, hang out here for a minute. I won’t be long.”
“Sure, boss,” Bubba said while Talia agreed with a nod of her own.
John and I walked a few steps away.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I’m working security for today’s little escapade. I want your opinion on what I’ve got planned and any suggestions you have that could help—anything at all.”
I blinked at him a little stupidly. He was asking my opinion. After the way he’d behaved in Mexico, not to mention ten seconds ago, I wouldn’t have expected that in a million years.
He sighed, his expression growing more than a little exasperated. “I said I was sorry. I was wrong to undermine you with the clients like that. It was stupid of me. I
I forced myself to smile a little ruefully back at him. “Sorry. I guess I’m still a bit touchy about it.” Yes, he’d just questioned my abilities not two minutes ago, but calling him on it would just lead to problems and more tension, neither of which was needed at the outset of a big operation. Better to let it go. “Okay. Fine. Now that we have that out of the way…”
He quickly outlined his plans. He’d organized the entire thing like a military campaign using all of the assets and personnel at his disposal as head of Miller & Creede. I was absolutely amazed that he’d been able to pull it off on short notice but wondered how he’d gotten permission to mount an operation like this so close to the Needle.
When I told him so, he said, “I didn’t get permission. Whoever we’re up against has to be in a position of power or someone would’ve tumbled to the situation before now. If I went through channels, they’d know exactly what we’re planning.”
Oh, crap. He was taking one hell of a risk, then. Seriously, he could get jail time, major jail time, at the Needle. We all could.
“Celia, there’s a good chance I won’t survive to see tomorrow. I’ll deal with the fallout if and when I have to.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. He expected to die. He was even being matter-of-fact about it. I couldn’t be. I love Bruno, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about John. So I swallowed hard and tried not to think too much about the risks he was taking, focusing instead on the plans he’d laid out. “I can’t see any flaws, John.” I really couldn’t. “It might be a little excessive, but hey, better safe than sorry.”
His answer made me wonder if he was reading my mind or if he just knew me too well. “When I heard you were going to be involved, I took what I had originally thought were adequate defenses, tripled them, and prayed for divine intervention.” He grinned, but I could see that he was only partially joking.
“Ha, ha, ha.” I hated that I was dangerous to my friends and allies, that my death curse tended to increase the odds that someone I knew would be hurt or killed.
“Now, what exactly did you have in mind for your dynamic duo back there?” John asked. “I need to know how to fit them into my plans.”
“I want them as close to the center of the action as we can get them. Their only job is going to be to protect the four of you and keep me advised of what’s happening.”
He opened his mouth, as if to protest, question my choice, but I cut him off.
“They’re good people, John. The best. You want them watching your back.”
He sighed. “Fine. Look, we both need to get going.” He smiled for real then, and for a second I thought he was going to kiss me good-bye. But the moment passed. Instead, he said, “Be careful.”
“You, too.” My throat was tight. I turned away so that he wouldn’t see that my eyes had filled with tears. I squared my shoulders and said to Bubba and Talia, “Go with the nice man. Make sure he and the other three involved in the working stay safe. I’m off to guard the client.”
“Good luck!” Bubba called.
“You, too.” We’d all need it.
My ride was waiting on the opposite end of the tarmac, the cargo door propped open. Same chopper, same pilot. Even similar boxes. Evidently the equipment had all been replaced. Good. But oh, Lord, I was not going to enjoy seeing that bill. Here’s hoping Abby paid up promptly.
Chris stood just inside the open doors. Dawna had looked grim, but Chris was expressionless, a blank slate, wearing desert camo, a sidearm, and an anti-siren charm prominently placed outside his shirt. His manner was one of utter professionalism. Frankly, I was surprised he hadn’t passed the job to someone else, all things considered. Unless the Company didn’t have a lot of medics, which would make it difficult to shift assignments like this one on short notice.
“What are the coordinates for our destination?” Chris asked.
I pulled a slip of paper from my jacket pocket and passed it to him. He took it to Rob, and I took my seat, strapping myself in for the ride without waiting to be told.
Chris came back, closing the cargo door as the chopper’s engines started up. Then he disappeared again into the flight cabin without saying a word.
I was fine with that.
I had to adjust the fit of the little bits of electronic equipment I’d be wearing to keep in touch with Bubba and Talia. Gilda had been the one wearing them last, and she’s a much smaller woman than I am. Still, it took only a couple of seconds to get everything comfortable, and I was able to listen to Creede’s briefing as Rob flew the chopper out to Kevin’s cabin.
“Listen up, people. To work this magic, we need to be where the node comes closest to the surface. So do
