“Has anyone made any more significant advances anywhere?”
“At this moment in time, no, thankfully. But there’ve been rumblings. All you have to do is look at a map to see where the danger could lie. Russia and China are out of the game. Pakistan fared slightly better, but it’ll still be years before it’s back on its feet. But it’s the people who haven’t been affected that are more dangerous, if you ask me. Guys in places like Japan, India, North Korea… even South Korea were all relatively unscathed. They’ll feel threatened, I’m sure. I think it’s just bubbling away beneath the surface, waiting to erupt.”
“Christ… Well, if and when it does, I’m sure GlobaTech will be there to help deal with it. And even Cunningham wouldn’t be able to sit back and let that happen, surely? He must’ve known this was an inevitable side effect of his plan.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“So, how are you holding up, dealing with all this?”
“Well, Schultz is handling most of the bureaucracy, which is good of him. He’s working around the clock to get anyone and everyone on our side. He’s very much the face of GlobaTech at the moment. I’m organizing the logistics in the background. As well as running a sideline in helping you out where I can.”
“Yeah, I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, Josh. That intel you secured in Prague will hopefully be the final nail in Cunningham’s coffin.”
“I’ve got a good team. You’d like them. You know Ray Collins…?”
“Ray? Yeah, nice guy. I was grateful for his help back in Pripyat.”
“Yeah, he’s something alright. And you remember Jericho?”
“Stone? Jesus, how’s he doing after Colombia? I can’t believe he’s not dead.”
“He’s still pissed about his unit turning on him, and he’s not your biggest fan — although I think he’s secretly thankful you kept him alive.”
“Don’t mention it. Look, I might not get a chance to call again for a while. I’m heading to North Carolina. Gonna see if I can convince The European to help me.”
“The European? Isn’t he supposed to be a bit of a dick?”
I chuckle. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. But he’s a damn good killer all the same.”
“Fair point.”
“I’ve already got a guy called Jonas Briggs on board. We’ve arranged to meet in Atlantic City in a couple days. I told him I’d keep in touch with him between now and then.”
“Be careful with that, Adrian. Remember, calls and texts from a cell phone can be tracked.”
“Yeah, I know. I use this cell phone sparingly. We’ve both got the log-in details to an e-mail account — we’re leaving messages to each other in the drafts folder.”
“Holy shit, boss! Did you… were you actually paying attention to me all those times I told you things of a technical nature?”
I laugh. “You sound surprised. You know I’m actually pretty talented, right?”
“Yeah, but… y’know… I just didn’t think you fully understood that stuff.”
I shrug. “I don’t. But I know enough to get by. You’re here for the rest.”
“I’m so proud! Well, just remember to keep your head down, okay? Being all covert and whatnot is one thing, but the CIA has boots on the ground actively looking for you. Just be careful out there, man.”
“Yeah, I am, don’t worry. Though I must admit, it’s getting harder to keep a low profile with Ruby in tow.”
“What’s she like?”
I think for a moment. “She’s flashed me twice since I busted her out of an insane asylum.”
There’s silence for a moment. “She flashed you?”
I shake my head at the fact he completely ignored the part about her being incarcerated. “Twice.”
“You get all the luck… ”
I laugh. “That’s one way of looking at it. Listen, do me a favor, would you?”
“Keep an eye on Tori for you?”
“Well, yeah, that, too. But I was gonna say, do you have an e-mail account I can contact you with as well?”
“I do, yeah — of course. Why? What can’t you say over the phone?”
“It’s nothing I can’t say, I just don’t have the time to say it all. I’ve… I’ve got a plan, Josh. Based on the team I’ve got, I have a plan to end all this. But I need your help.”
“Jesus, this must be big if you’re planning in advance. You never do that…”
“I know, but even I know this isn’t something I can make up as I go along. Can I send you the details and what I need?”
“Yeah, sure. Leave me a draft and I’ll get right on it.”
“Thanks, man. I’m hoping you’ll agree it could work. It’s easily the most dangerous job I’ve done. If anything happens to me… if I don’t make it out the other side of this thing—”
“Quit with the emotional shit, boss. You’ll be fine. You’ve got this. You’re, y’know… you.”
“Thanks. But I’m being serious, Josh. If this goes south, I want you to go to The Ferryman. Tori’s got the code to the safe there. My last will and testament is inside.”
“Adrian, I… ”
“All the money’s yours, Josh. Every cent.”
“Jesus! Adrian, I dunno what to say… I mean, what about Tori? I thought you’d be—”
“She’s getting the deeds to the bar.”
“Shit… Listen, I’m touched, man. Seriously. But you can’t think like that, okay? Get your head in the game. Forget about that crap for now. You start thinking about failing, you will fail. Understand?”
“I hear you.”
“Having said that, if you fail, I’ll be loaded! I think I might start helping Cunningham…”
I laugh. “Fuck you!”
He laughs, too, and I take a moment to remember this conversation. How natural it feels talking with him. If this is the last time we speak, I want to remember the way we were. Everything we’ve been through together, summed up in a few sentences.
“Hey, have you ever eaten in one of these donut places?” I ask him.
He scoffs. “Are you fucking kidding me? Those places are unnatural. They’re like a travesty to all food!”
“That’s what I said!”
There’re a few seconds of silence.
“Good luck, Adrian. Whatever happens, I’ve got your back until that piece of shit is in the ground. Remember that.”
“Thanks, Josh. For everything. See you around.”
“Damn right.”
I hang up and let out a heavy sigh and compose myself before I head back over to the table.
It’s time Ruby and I hit the road.
12
The rest of the journey was uneventful, which I’m grateful for. We borrowed a handy little 4×4 on the way out of town, and we only stopped once for gas on our five-hour trek down Route 29.
I had contacted Jonas via the e-mail account to let him know we were still on track to meet him tomorrow in Atlantic City. He replied saying he was finishing up a contract and expected to be on the road by tomorrow evening at the latest. I also left a message for Josh with my plan, but he’s not come back to me yet.
The rain chased us nearly all the way to Greensboro but gave up about a half hour ago. We’re parked across the street from a nice-looking bar on the corner of West Market and North Cedar, facing the college. The clouds overhead occasionally make room for some sunlight, but mostly it’s just dull.
In the interest of saving time, instead of following breadcrumbs based on Ash’s somewhat vague information on the last known whereabouts of The European, I persuaded Ruby to simply call him and find out where he is. She said she wanted to meet up, and when she was met with skepticism I gave her the nod to say she was with me and we were here on business.