Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(33)

Sure, I could see things in most people. For some reason, whatever Mary was thinking or instructed to do was blocked. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't see past that fog. Yes, I'd read a few things in her, but those weren't particularly important. The important stuff was behind a wall I couldn't penetrate.

As a casual observer, she acted nervous, too, and I couldn't explain that. She didn't recognize any of us-I'd enhanced the disguises myself.

"Nobody can get off the boat until nine tomorrow morning, after we dock," Opal said. "We'll have to watch for Mary then."

*

Notes-Colonel Hunter

"Here's the security footage-we just got this." Matt set his tablet on my desk. I watched as Marcus was shown boarding the first train of the day the morning after he'd escaped. "Train headed to Vancouver, just as we thought," Matt confirmed.

"Do you think he had contact with the Mary clone before she boarded the ship?"

"No idea. It would have taken some careful manipulation, though, if he did. After all, he had to get in touch with Askins or one of the others, and then receive instructions."

"True. She boarded the minute she could, which was shortly after two."

"There's been no sightings of Marcus after he left the train station in Vancouver, but he could be on a fishing boat for all we know. He didn't board a plane, I know that much," Matt snorted.

He'd been doing his research, I could see that. I had no idea how extensive his reach might be, but it looked impressive from where I sat. I'd come up with almost identical information, but I'd had to proceed with caution so I wouldn't alert Askins and the enemy.

My core team, after all, was on a cruise ship in Alaskan waters, their attention focused on a Mary clone.

"Anything new from the cabin bug?" Matt asked.

"Other than the clone getting drunk? No." I swiped my finger across the tablet, reviewing the security images of Marcus boarding the train in Seattle, then getting off in Vancouver and walking away.

"Fucker," I hissed, dropping a fist onto my desk with a thump. "The first sign of adversity and he runs to the opposition, ready to lick their feet."

"Corinne didn't like him from the start, did she?"

"No," I admitted. "Remind me to get rid of anybody in the future that she has a problem with. He came with such high recommendations, too."

"Probably never put to the test before," Matt said. "People behave differently when they're under fire."

"Corinne sure did. I can't believe we ever thought her weak and untalented."

"The others show their talents right away?"

"Yes. Immediately. They couldn't wait to show off what they had."

*

Corinne

"Cabbage?"

"Hmmm?"

"Make sure Nick doesn't put you in danger," Ilya said. We were in bed, both of us reading. There was a library on board the ship, so we'd borrowed books to read.

"That's not going to happen." I set my book down on the covers and pulled his face to mine for a kiss. "Stop worrying. You can stay in constant contact if you want."

"You should also stay in contact with me. Let me know what you are seeing, if anything seems out of place."

"I will."

"Hmmph," he mumbled against my mouth. We will have words if you do not include me.

What kind of words? He was still kissing me, so this was the only way I could respond.

Angry.

Then why are you kissing me if you anticipate being angry?

Just reminding you of what you stand to lose for a time should you not stay in contact.

Really? You're predicting the future? I didn't know you had it in you. He nipped my lower lip to show me he was serious. Both books were eventually kicked off the bed after he pushed me back and set about removing my pajamas.

*

She's on the move, Maye announced the following morning. Right at nine, as if she were on a schedule, our Mary clone left her cabin and headed for deck two, where passengers could disembark from the ship.

We'd separated with our respective partners inside the coffee shop on Deck three, waiting for word from those watching the feed from the bug.

We'll go first, Rafe announced. I glanced across the shop where he and Jeff sat at a table, drinking coffee and looking through the large windows at the dock outside. Ketchikan was quite pretty, actually, with houses painted in bright colors scattered up the steep hillside, which made up the majority of the small town.

We'll go last, Maye announced. Corinne, stay with Nick-no funny stuff. Colonel Hunter's orders.

It didn't take but a moment to realize that Maye had told Auggie what I'd done in Dublin-transporting myself in front of the Mary clone there and getting close enough for her to touch me. She could have killed me, had she suspected I might be anyone other than the Baikov clone. After my moment of consideration, I swallowed my annoyance and said all right.

Rafe offered a frown-he certainly agreed with Auggie-I'd gotten too close to the enemy in his opinion, too. Fine, I sent only to him. I won't let them touch me again.

Sure, I could see all that in them if I wanted, but this time around, I could shut it off easily if I wanted. Most of the time, I shut it off around those I considered allies. Marcus I'd read, but when I'd watched him before he left the facility, he was merely angry. He planned his escape later, after I hadn't bothered to monitor him. I resolved not to make that mistake again.