The door shut behind me. I walked around to the other side of the car and discreetly pulled Grayson’s phone out of my backpack. I typed out a message to Grayson and Madison, taking a quick glance up to make sure Julian hadn’t reappeared.
Do you have anyone nearby that could follow Julian? I think he’s going to wherever the scrab shipment is.
Grayson replied immediately. Is he leaving soon? I just headed out with your team. We’re coming to the location you sent us.
I don’t know, I replied.
The driver opened the passenger side door for me. “Are we waiting for Mr. Montgomery, or should we head out now?”
“Actually, Julian sent me out here to let you know you’re done for the night. We’ll be staying here.” I held my breath. I had no idea if Julian had given him other instructions.
He just smiled and closed the door. “Have a good evening.”
I darted out of the driveway as he pulled away. The last thing I needed was for Julian to see me standing around as the car left.
I crept around the side of the house, in the direction of the vans I’d seen earlier. I stopped when I heard voices, and then carefully peered around to the back of the house. My hands were shaking, and I folded my arms against my chest, willing my body to calm down.
Mr. Montgomery stood with a red-haired man and Julian near the vans. A stocky man was loading boxes into the back.
“Yeah, Julian’s going to take the van,” Mr. Montgomery was saying. “I’m headed out to the docks to check on the transport.”
“Then you’re out of here?” the other man asked.
“Yes, thank god,” Mr. Montgomery muttered. He squinted up at the overcast sky. “I hate London.” He began to turn, and I quickly ducked behind the corner again.
When I peeked back out, Mr. Montgomery and Julian had disappeared. The man was loading the last of the boxes into it. He closed the doors and headed back to the house.
“All set!” he called. I heard a distant reply.
There was definitely no time to wait for Grayson. I needed to get in that van.
I took a cautious step forward, until I could see the back doors of the house. Julian and his dad stood in front of them. The vans had been backed into their spots, the rears facing away from them.
Julian’s dad walked inside. Julian stepped off the porch.
I grabbed his phone from my pocket, almost dropping it as I desperately pressed the message button.
I should have told you that I missed you, I typed frantically.
We were so close that I could hear his phone buzz after I sent it. He stopped several yards from the van, his face breaking into a smile as he read my message.
I darted to the back of the van and tried the door. It had to be unlocked. I hadn’t seen the man lock anything before he walked away. It had to be.
The door clicked open. My phone buzzed. Julian’s footsteps got closer.
I slipped into the van and softly shut the door behind me. It was full of boxes, but there was enough room for me to hide amongst them. I pushed a few aside and wedged myself in between them.
A door opened and then closed. The van started.
Julian let out a sigh. I heard his shoes hit the ground as he stepped out.
The back door opened.
I stayed perfectly still.
It slammed shut again.
I let out a slow breath as I listened to Julian walk back to the driver’s seat. The van jerked forward.
Oh god. I was really doing this. I had jumped into the back of this van bound for some MDG location, and I had no plan. What was I going to do when we arrived?
I held my phone up with shaking hands.
I missed you too. So much, Julian had written back.
I did not think he was going to take it well if he discovered me in the back of this van.
I typed out a message to Grayson and Madison. Ok I did something.
Madison replied immediately. That sounds bad.
Grayson: What did you do?
Clara: I’m in the van with Julian. Hiding, I mean. I jumped in when he wasn’t looking.
Madison: CLARA THAT’S BAD.
Clara: We can’t let them ship those scrabs. Can you track this phone?
Grayson: Yes!
I bit back a curse as I typed out my next message.
Clara: I should have just put the phone in the van. I’m a dumbass.
Grayson: No you’re not! You’re brilliant. We’re held up in traffic, so we might be too late anyway. Take photos. And video. If it’s safe.
I’ll try. I may have been a total dumbass, but at least I was surrounded by people who would make equally stupid choices, if given the opportunity.
Madison: Edan wants to know if you have your weapons.
Clara: Yes.
Madison: Good. Also the whole team is here, and they say you’re a badass. I concur.
I smiled despite the terror still coursing down my spine. Thanks.
41
It was nearly an hour before the van stopped. My heart stopped with it, and I froze, listening to the sounds of Julian sliding out of his seat. The door slammed shut.
I waited a full minute before slowly sitting up. I couldn’t hear voices or footsteps. He hadn’t opened the back door to unload the boxes.
I carefully crawled to the rear of the van and tried the handle. The door creaked open. I pushed it slowly and peeked out at my surroundings.
The van was parked in front of a small two-story wooden house. The windows were all dark, even though the last wisps of sunlight were almost gone.
I edged out of the van and quietly pushed the door closed. Julian was nowhere to be seen. There was a thick row of trees to my left, and I couldn’t see neighbors. We were definitely out of the city. On a farm, maybe.
No, an equestrian facility. The iron fence at the front of the property had two horses on it, and
