Mockingbird by Maria Lewis

Author:Maria Lewis [Lewis, Maria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Media Tie-In, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9781839082184
Publisher: Aconyte
Published: 2023-06-05T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Much as I would have loved to call it a night there, it was impossible. We had a real lead and limited time to capitalize on it for once, instead of feeling like we were always playing catch up to whoever our mystery adversaries were at any one moment. Plus, S.T.R.I.K.E. was particularly sensitive about any time Tem spent away from the office and in the field: the most obvious sign that even at twenty-two years old, he was a valued asset.

First, we ate dinner. It sounds superfluous and silly, but it was actually critical. Oxford was overflowing with enemies we couldn’t keep track of and every time we did something visibly public – like visit Pitt Rivers Museum – there was a chance we popped up on someone’s radar. And if we were being monitored, then our cover would hold. So we took our visiting friend from out of town to a local landmark, according to Lance.

“Really?” I muttered under my breath. “Cause this just looks like a bike shop.”

“It’s The Handle Bar, thank you very much,” he replied, gently elbowing me. He conferred with one of the staff, who led us to a table for three that was positioned precariously under a penny-farthing hung from the ceiling. In fact, all manner of bikes from all manner of eras were displayed about the place, with tables tucked among them and a cute little vase of fresh flowers at the center of each one. A soundtrack of ice cubes smashing against chrome came from behind a corrugated iron bar that was whipping up cocktails. Strategically placed lights fitted into exposed beams gave the whole venue an intentional but subtle kind of ambience. I was so busy looking around that by the time I was done, Lance had taken the liberty to order for all three of us.

“I love this place,” Tem said excitedly, tapping his hands on the table with glee as a trio of enormous cocktails arrived in front of us.

“Three Smokey Handles,” the waiter said with a flourish.

Tem leaned in, about to take a sip from the tropical-looking drink when he paused. “Wait, what’s in this?”

Lance had already slurped down half of his and was crunching an ice cube between his teeth. “Mezcal, pineapple juice, tequila, fresh lime, aperol and sugar. Lotta sugar. Bobbi has a sweet tooth.”

I tilted my head, intrigued. How’d he know that? He gave me a wink.

“It’s unprofessional to drink on assignment, right?” Tem asked, nervous.

Lance and I didn’t even need to look at each other before we burst out laughing.

“Unprofessional?” I asked, wiping away a tear from under my eye. “Some would say it’s absolutely required.”

“Absolutely,” Lance agreed, clinking his glass against mine.

An array of plates started arriving almost immediately and I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I surveyed the mix of tapas that left very little room on the table for anything else. The others were clearly just as starved as I was, digging in without hesitation as we made our way through a variety of small plates.

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