Shadow Game by Adam Hiatt

Author:Adam Hiatt [Hiatt, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798634407654
Published: 2020-04-04T22:00:00+00:00

29

As the Gulf Stream jet descended over France, Reddic marveled at Paris' immense size. The sun was yet to rise, but the terrain was still well illuminated, giving validity to Paris' well-known sobriquet as La Ville-Lumiere, or, The City of Light. Of course, the name was originally bestowed upon the city during the Age of Enlightenment as a figurative honor, denoting the depth of ideas and educational advances originating from Paris.

The title, however, took on a more literal meaning during the reign of Napoleon III when his architect, Baron Haussmann, was commissioned to level entire districts of what was once narrow, winding streets in lieu of wide avenues lined with neo-classical facades. These avenues were illuminated with streetlamps, making Paris the first “modern” city in the world. The real reason for the architectural facelift, at least according to Jaxon, was more militant in nature. It was to suppress future demonstrations by allowing troops to more easily navigate the streets.

As the jet touched down at Charles de Gaulle airport and taxied across the tarmac, Reddic reflected on the previous seven hours of travel. As an NBA player, he was accustomed to traveling. For eight months out of the year he traveled on average three days per week. The setting, however, was much different. Apart from some lighthearted banter with his teammates, his time was usually spent resting or watching game film. The flight across the Atlantic with his brother was anything but restful.

Reddic expected to hear a few points of trivia about Paris, which, upon hindsight, was a gross miscalculation. He had a Harvard history professor to himself for seven hours. He should have realized that he was a prime audience for one of Jaxon's famous lectures. As the jet pulled into the private hangar, he tried to shake off the exhaustion of having sustained a veritable information tsunami.

Stepping out of the jet, Reddic surveyed his surroundings. On the far side of the hangar was an automatic door leading to various offices and a customs officer. For them to enter the country they would need to pass through without incident. If there was one positive note to having endured Jaxon's historical discourse, it was to create an authentic cover. They were coming to France under the guise of visiting professors.

Reddic had a false passport inside his backpack, which he extracted and placed inside his jacket pocket. He never traveled under his own name when working for EOS, but Jaxon was using his own passport. He explained to his brother what their cover story was on the jet. He chose the role of professor for two reasons. First, it would be easiest for Jaxon, as he wouldn't have to act out of character. Second, professors were generally well respected within most social circles of Paris.

Pulling his travel bag behind him, he led Jaxon out of the hangar. Immediately upon passing through the sliding doors they were met by a solemn Frenchman who addressed them in his native tongue.

“Documents and declaration of your visit, please,” he said perfunctorily.

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