Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(55)

"Yes. I hate seeing a doctor," Merle rumbled.

"You've had that cough for three weeks and it isn't improving. You probably need antibiotics," his assistant pointed out.

"Probably. I'll be back tomorrow morning. Knowing for sure we've gotten rid of any effective opposition is worth a few thousand lives, don't you think?"

"Of course, sir."

*

Corinne

"I like this better than what we had in Alaska," Opal said.

"I had to do some upgrades," I admitted. The outside of the house looked just as it did four hours before we took over as renters. The inside was as luxurious as I could make it, given the time I'd had.

Rent was less than four thousand per month, and the owner lived out of state. That was fine by me-James had set this up for us and paid six months' rent using the bank account I'd created for him under an alias.

Everything was fine-and unless the owner pissed me off somehow, he would benefit from our inhabiting his large, split-cedar home.

"When will we begin our search in Vancouver?" Rafe asked.

"How about tomorrow?" I asked. "Weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow."

"That sounds fine. We can get used to our new kitchen in the meantime."

*

Ilya

For dinner, I made a coulibiac-salmon pie-while Corinne cooked vegetable potpie for herself. "I've heard of you." Nathan watched as I placed the salmon pie in the oven to bake.

"Done your research on Russian spies, I take it," I said, attempting to ignore the interruption.

"I know you're from Ukraine," he said. "And I know that you can pound me into dirt if you wanted to. I just wanted to thank you-and Corinne-for saving my ass in Colombia."

"Then you're welcome. Corinne has faith in you, and that is generally a very good thing. For you."

"Who knew the Blacksmith liked to cook?" Nathan wandered away. I snorted a laugh.

"Is there enough room in the oven for my potpie?" Corinne set her smaller pie on the stove.

"I will make room," I told her, stealing a kiss.

*

Corinne

"If we go to the library in Vancouver, we can meet there later to come back home," Nick suggested. We were discussing our game plan after breakfast the following morning.

"That sounds just as good as anything else," Richard agreed.

"Library sounds good," I said. "It's centrally located and any cab can get you there with no fuss. Nathan, do you want to go or would you rather stay here?"

"I think I'd like to go," he said.

"Then you come with Nick and me," Opal said. "We'll keep you out of trouble."

Nathan gave Opal a wide grin and nodded.

"Do you have any cash?" I asked.

"I only have the clothes James gave me," he shrugged.

"Okay." I handed cash over. "That's in case you want a soda or something."

"Thanks."

"Ready?"

At everybody's nod, I transported them to the library in Vancouver, which (on the outside) resembled the Coliseum. A rectangular building lay inside the colonnade, so we landed between the two. Making sure we were shielded from view until nobody could see us appear from nothing, we agreed to meet later at a designated time.

"I like this," Ilya whispered against my hair as we took off down the street. The day was sunny and warm while we walked in sunlight. The shadows were cooler, but we stayed in the sun as often as possible.

"You look good in sunglasses," I said, smiling at him. He did-he wore aviators, a bomber jacket, black jeans and boots. I felt young at that moment, as if we'd been sent on vacation for a day.

Granted we were looking for traces of the enemy, but that didn't mean we couldn't enjoy the day and the company.

"Where do you want to look first-in a coffee shop?" He grinned.

"Nothing wrong with that," I said and leaned into him.

We found a Starbucks just a few blocks away. "I'm buying," Ilya smiled and handed the cashier his credit card.

I really didn't care who paid-I just wanted a latte. If it made Ilya smile to buy me coffee, then he could buy me coffee anytime.

By the time we walked out of the coffee shop, however, we had to turn back to business quickly.

Although we were disguised so that nobody would recognize us, we watched as a Baikov clone walked past us on the sidewalk.

Dressed casually in jeans, a polo and boots, Baikov could have been anyone on the street that day. What the f*ck is he doing here? Ilya sent as we settled in to tail him.

Maybe he was here before-with the Mary clone, I said. They were paired in Dublin, maybe there are other pairs elsewhere. Too bad this Mary blew herself up. Wonder if they're sending another Mary to replace the first?

We will follow this one. Make us invisible, cabbage. I do not want them to see us coming.

Honey, they'll never know we were here, I said, putting up the shield he requested. We tracked Baikov's latest incarnation as he walked purposely down sidewalks, crossed streets and passed shops with barely a glance.

This one-I hadn't seen much in the brief glance I'd gotten of his face. What I knew is that he'd been to a business not far from the Starbucks where we'd stopped, and now was on his way elsewhere.