The Gilded Disciple by Steve P. Vincent

Author:Steve P. Vincent [Vincent, Steve P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

7

If his reactions had been anything less than razor-sharp, he might have fired on instinct. Instead, he lowered the pistol, and spoke. “You could have just waited out front and greeted me with a wave…”

“I needed to be sure it was you,” Zoe replied nonchalantly. “I’ve got a sniper in the scrub alongside the highway with a crosshair on your head right now...”

“Why? I’ve done nothing to warrant that.”

“You think so?” She scoffed. “After we worked together in Hong Kong, you only contact me when you need help. It’s not what I’d call rock-solid dependability.”

Herron winced. The criticism was fair. They’d worked well together in Hong Kong to disrupt – although ultimately not prevent – China’s takeover of the island, but since then he had used her only to bail him out. For a man not used to relying on anyone, it was a big concession, but it appeared she expected more out of their professional partnership… or their friendship.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ve got teams of operatives up my ass, and I figured out how they’re locating me...”

“Okay, you’re a wanted man,” she said. “Why is that my problem?”

“They figured out how to use phone cameras as surveillance devices. They can scan and facially identify anyone, even if the camera isn’t in use.”

“Bullshit,” she said. “Nobody has that technology. If anyone did, it would be the US, and they’d share it with their Five Eyes partners.”

“Nobody had that technology. But trust me, it has been developed. They used it to track me down twice in two days as a proof of concept. Now that technology is for sale to the highest bidder.”

“Who’s selling it?”

“Not a guy I’d trust to keep it out of the hands of regimes you don’t want to have it…”

It took Zoe a second to digest the revelation: that kind of technology was so game changing that every intelligence organization in the world would do anything to get it. Herron let her chew on the news, because he needed her help to find Shade and Kearns, and convincing her of the value of the technology was the best way to secure that.

“Even if it’s true, why do you need me?” Zoe said at last, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re more than capable of jamming a spanner in any machinery.”

“It’s more that you need me,” Herron answered. “Aside from the U.S. Government, I’m the only guy who knows who is developing the technology and where to find it.”

“And I’ll ask again,” Zoe said. “Why do you need me?”

“The same guy with the tech has abducted someone important to me. He’s going to kill her in a week if I don’t find them and kill him.”

“Her…” Zoe said, her voice instantly cold.

“The woman who helped me stop the Omega Strain.”

“Right.” Zoe still looked skeptical, her feelings for Herron plain and complicating. “There’s one thing I don’t get.”

“What?”

“You’re a one-man wrecking ball. I’ve never seen you cower from anything, but you seem afraid now. Tell me all of it from the start.

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