Shark's Bite by Bethany Maines

Author:Bethany Maines [Maines, Bethany]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Thriller, Noir, Crime
Publisher: Blue Zephyr Press
Published: 2018-04-16T22:00:00+00:00

20

Peregrine: The Sacred Heart Gig

Peri strolled onto campus and went directly for the student center. Passing two teachers, she smiled, but avoided eye contact. They barely nodded, deep in conversation. So far, so good.

Hannah was waiting nervously for her at the upper entrance to the student center. Hannah was fifteen and shared her older sister’s auburn colored hair and freckles. It had yet to be determined if she shared Sarah’s unflappable demeanor. But, by the end of today’s mission, Peri figured she’d have the answer one way or another.

“Hey,” said Peri. “Is everything in place?”

“Yes, but the girls want to be paid up front,” Hannah said. “Is that a problem?” She looked relieved as Peri pulled three fifties out of her pocket. “Sorry, I’m so nervous. It’s just this is the first time I’ve done this without Sarah.”

“How’s she doing at college, by the way?”

“Good, I think,” said Hannah, visibly settling at the mention of her older sister. “I called to get her advice. She said as long as we stuck to the plan it should be easy.”

“That’s the goal. And remember, if for some reason it does go tits-up, I take the heat and you all walk away.” Hannah looked as though she would protest. “I’m equipped for it. And I can’t use you again if you get caught.”

Hannah tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and gave a tiny nod. “This way then.”

Emily and Tara were waiting for them downstairs in the lunch room. Peri shook hands, palming them each a fifty. They both messed up the hand-off of the bills and then looked embarrassed. Peri pretended not to notice.

“He just arrived,” Emily informed her. Emily was Asian and looked like she’d purposefully tried to look like an anime version of a Catholic schoolgirl. “The teachers are showing him where to put his things. Then they’ll take him around to introduce him to the rest of the panel.”

“OK, I have the matching bag.” Peri hoisted the duplicate laptop bag that Shark had equipped her with. “As we discussed, I’m going to need you to screen me as I do the swap.”

“I’m the primary screen,” said Emily.

“Good. And if he approaches, who’s running interference?”

“That’s my job,” said Tara. “I’ll use the lacrosse maneuver.” Tara was a brunette who looked as rumpled as Peri.

Peri nodded approvingly. “Good choice. Hannah, you’re the lookout, you give me the sign when I’m cleared to approach. From there I’ll exit to the restroom. I need at least twenty minutes, and I’ll need a lookout at that location.”

“That’s me again,” said Hannah. “We’ll probably have to stay in the bathroom for the entire hour because the entrance is directly opposite the speakers’ table. You’ll be spotted if you leave.” She pointed to the hallway where the bathroom sign and door could clearly be seen. Peri nodded.

“After the talk,” said Hannah, “we’ll have a line-up of people ready to go to the bathroom. Getting out of here won’t be a problem. There’s usually an open chat session afterwards when the speakers circulate.

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