Sleeper Agent by John Birmingham

Author:John Birmingham [Birmingham, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gigantic Bombs Corporation
Published: 2024-02-13T07:00:00+00:00

16

“Not that car," Cooper said as Matthew raced away to claim the shotgun seat up front in the Volvo. Matthew skidded to a halt, half turned around. He was dressed against the chill, bundled up in a hoodie and a puffer jacket, and his little white face was a picture of surprise.

"We’re taking Coach’s pickup,” Cooper explained.

"But I want to go in the cool car," the boy said.

Mary had pulled up short of the Volvo as well. She was giving Cooper her “What gives?” look.

"Trackers," he said quietly. "I didn't think of it earlier. I'm sorry. I'm still not a hundred per cent. But there’s a reason they knew to come here. Maybe somebody called them. Most likely, that’s a fleet vehicle, and there’s a GPS tracker somewhere inside it."

Mary's eyes went wide, but whether in surprise at his being able to follow through a line of reasoning or in fear at the idea of their being traced, Cooper couldn't say. Probably a little of both.

"How do you know?" she asked.

"It's procedure," he said, trying not to sound as though he was patronising her. He hadn't even thought of this stuff until a few minutes ago. It frightened him to wonder what else he was missing. He felt as if his mind was like a map at the start of a video game. He could see a few illuminated areas, but most of it was still dark.

"I'm sorry," Cooper said. "I'm sorry about everything, but I'm gonna have to ask you to trust me about stuff like this. Even if I can't always explain it."

"It's okay," Mary said. She sounded exhausted and scared. "I don't know what's happening either. I don't know why Coach had a gun. I don't know why Doctor Schofield was…"

She struggled to find the words and started to cry in small, jerking gasps.

"I don't know why he was hurting you," she sobbed as if every word caused her pain. She stared at him with her one good eye for a long time, and he could feel just how much she was suffering. "And I don't know who to trust anymore."

Cooper took her into his arms and held her close. The children piled in for the group hug.

"I love you," he said, his voice muffled in Mary's hair. "Always will. Trust that.”

She returned his hug with sudden fierce strength.

“Now come on,” Cooper said. “Let's go.”

He had Coach Buchner's keys and wallet. He stripped out the paper money, seventy-six dollars in cash, and threw the rest away. They had another two hundred and twenty from Doctor Schofield and whatever was left in Ted's wallet. Cooper knew they couldn't use any of the credit cards. He knew they would need a lot more money, even if it was only for a couple of days. The choices he had to make all rumbled downhill towards him. An avalanche of consequences.

It was almost enough to undo him, but the kids climbed into the back seat, and Mary got in upfront, and that decision was at least made for him.

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