Mars Rising (Saving Mars Series 6) by Swanson Cidney

Author:Swanson, Cidney [Swanson, Cidney]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Williams Press
Published: 2014-04-21T16:00:00+00:00

37

IF YOU MUST CHOOSE

Finally, thought Schloss, a bit of good news.

“Stand by to comm the Chancellor,” she said to an assistant. Returning to her call with the Chief of Police in Lyons, she asked about the jumper’s identity.

“She comes up with an exemplary record. A fourbody called Françoise LeClerc. Single mother of one son, lives with him, according to her scan chip.”

“That just shows you how far a suspect will go to hide their tracks,” said Schloss, half to herself.

“Instructions, Madam Deputy Director?” asked the chief.

“Send the detainee to us in Budapest for further questioning. Schloss out.”

The DDO smiled broadly. “I’ll make that comm to Chancellor Brezhnaya, now, please.” She could afford to say please and thank you now that things were finally turning around.

~ ~ ~

Pavel and Ethan waited on a quiet side street while Mr. Zussman departed to “test drive” a transport.

“I have been considering what Brian reported,” said Ethan, breaking the silence between the two. “And I have been examining traffic reports in the area of Budapest.”

Pavel looked up from the ground where he’d been watching a spider crawling along the pavement.

“There are alerts showing up advising travelers of delays into Budapest and surrounding areas,” said Ethan.

Pavel shrugged. “There’s always traffic issues around the capital.”

“The delay advisories are not for heavy traffic. Rather, motorists and pilots are advised they may be subject to something called a ‘stop and search.’ When I endeavored to discover more about this, I noted traffic control has a special tracking system in place flagging every transport that logs a flight plan into Budapest.”

“That would indicate they’re looking for someone.” Pavel felt his heart beginning to race.

“Precisely.”

“If they’re monitoring traffic into Budapest, then they don’t have her.”

“These are strong counter-indications,” said Ethan. “I propose making the job of the Budapest traffic control officers more difficult.”

“Um, okay. Why?”

“If we were to flood traffic control with phantom vehicles appearing to enter the city, it might make it easier for Jessamyn to slip through.”

Pavel frowned. “So, how are you going to do this, exactly?”

“I am not. But I have friends.”

Pavel raised an eyebrow. “Kazuko?”

“Lightning Boy. He is part of a group of chess players among whom I have achieved a certain … status. If I ask them to flood the city with phantom vehicles in order to overwhelm traffic control, they are certain to oblige me.”

Pavel looked at him. “That’s genius.” He was silent for several seconds. “But I’ve just got to say, of all the friends you’d be likely to make on Earth: chess players? You’re so weird, man.”

“Thank you,” replied Ethan.

When Pavel shook his head at this response, Ethan added softly, “My sister is fond of saying that if you must choose between normal and weird, she prefers weird.”

Pavel glanced over at Ethan. His expression was strained compared to his normally neutral regard.

“It’s going to be okay, man,” said Pavel. “We’ll find her.” He wished he felt as certain as he sounded.

Ethan gave a curt nod. “I am troubled that my sister has not attempted to contact us,” he said.

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