Codename by J.A. Konrath & Ann Voss Peterson

Author:J.A. Konrath & Ann Voss Peterson [Konrath, J.A. & Peterson, Ann Voss]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Kydala Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-12-19T08:00:00+00:00

I let her words sink in the rest of the walk to the health club and focused on my usual security precautions, doubling back, watching for tails.

The place was called Stretchers, a nationwide chain exclusively for women. I didn’t have my membership card, but I gave them my fake name and address and they confirmed my ID on their computer. Julie waited in the lobby, and I popped into the locker room and opened my rented locker. From the duffle bag I took a clean driver’s license and a credit card in the name of Heidi Orland, a thousand in cash, an S&W tactical folding knife, and a spare charger for my cell. I still had Morrissey’s Glock, but I figured I might have to return it, so I added a compact Ruger .380 LCP of my own and two extra mags, cramming everything into my purse until it was so stuffed it refused to close. Then I secured the locker and led Julie to the nearest hotel.

Once we were inside the room and I’d searched the place for bugs using an app on my phone, I allowed my thoughts to turn back to what she’d told me.

“So you don’t know your father.”

“Never met him, have no idea what he even looks like.”

Julianne stepped to the floor-to-ceiling window. Crossing her arms over her chest, she looked down on Times Square. She looked small, lonely. Behind her, the clock on the Paramount Building read four o’clock, a half hour slow.

“My name isn’t even Julianne. It’s Julie. I just thought Julianne sounded more like a model.”

I attempted to run a hand through my hopelessly tangled hair. While I had recovered from my earlier desire to shave my head, as soon as this operation was over, I was definitely getting the mess cut short enough to keep it out of my eyes.

“What do I call you? I’m guessing your name isn’t Claire.”

No harm in telling her my codename. “Chandler.”

“Chandler. That’s cool. Like on that show Friends.”

I preferred comparison to the dead mystery writer, but I supposed it didn’t matter.

Normal, not-a-model Julie turned from the window and looked at me.

“So now what, Chandler?”

“Nothing has changed. My assignment is to make sure you’re safe, whether your father is behind it or not doesn’t really matter. Okay?”

She gave a little nod, but she looked less than convinced.

“You’re going to be fine. I’ll make sure of it. I promise.” I gestured toward the bathroom. “Now why don’t you get cleaned up?”

As soon as I heard water hiss through pipes, I called Jacob. We engaged in our usual security dance. By the time I was able to speak, I felt like crawling out of my skin with impatience.

“Who is the VIP, Jacob?”

He paused for a moment. “I hear the extraction didn’t go as smoothly as we hoped.”

“She’s here. She’s unhurt.”

“But you left a nasty traffic snarl in the Queens Midtown Tunnel. The media is calling it a terrorist attack.”

“Couldn’t be helped. Who’s the VIP?” I repeated.

Another pause. “All I was told is that he’s the girl’s father.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.