Deadly Testimony (Safeguard #2)(70)

“A-firm.” Lizzy was getting quieter or Kyle was having trouble hearing past the rush of his own blood in his ears.

“Can you provide cover?” Diaz asked. “We’re en route. Will cut the time as much as possible.”

“Copy that. Break,” Lizzy responded again. “Lykke. Proceed with the exchange.”

The semblance of a trade. Kyle for his family. Once they were safe, Lizzy would provide a distraction so he could get back to the car too. Marc would drive them away.

Marc put the car in Drive. “Affirmative. Diaz, confirm your position. If we have to, we’ll reroute to rendezvous with you.”

“Copy.” Diaz responded. “We’ll provide support as soon as possible.”

Marc turned his head to speak over his shoulder again, suddenly dead serious. “Slight change in plans.”

Kyle took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Lizzy said nothing ever works out the way it’s been planned. That’s why you don’t make complicated ones.”

That surprised a chuckle out of Marc. “Well, that’s close enough to truth. We’re very practiced at making field decisions. Too much can happen too fast and everything has to be done on the fly. I wouldn’t try this if Lizzy wasn’t out there.”

“She’s good.” Kyle was certain of it.

“Very.” Marc confirmed.

Then Marc was putting the car in Park again. “Let me get out first, then you. We’ll hear the man out and make the exchange. Just don’t get into their car and try to stay clear of their people. Don’t let them get hands on you if you can help it. Let us do the rest.”

How did they live their lives like this? He took the wild thought and jammed it in the back of his mind. He could think about it later, if he survived. It was time.

The car door opened as Marc leaned in. “Ready for you, Mr. Yeun.”

The man’s voice had taken on a diffident tone and his demeanor had changed. He was suddenly very much a hired driver. Yeun kept his expression neutral as he stepped out of the vehicle. After a moment, he moved forward and stopped a few meters closer to the waiting group but still in easy reach of the car.

Huge shipping containers rose up in stacks on either side of them. The metal boxes were sized to be moved directly from the ocean barges to 18-wheeler trucks if necessary. Lined up as they were, they were intimidating and he felt closed in despite the wide expanse of asphalt all around them. There were dim utility lamps spread throughout the area, but the light they gave off was barely sufficient to see by.

“Yeun, I told you to come alone.” His former boss stood approximately four meters away, flanked by two thugs. One of them had his sister by the arm.

Diaz had asked them to buy time if they could. Kyle didn’t doubt Lizzy’s assessment that this would be over in less, but he could do his best to play things out. Besides, it would be odd if he didn’t approach this the way he approached his corporate dealings.

Straightening, he spread his hands, palms out. “We live in a very crowded city and I prefer to maintain a certain level of fitness. I neither own a car, nor do I have a driver’s license.”

His old boss snorted. “Goddamned fresh off the boat. Don’t you know anyone can get a driver’s license in this state? You don’t even have to be a f*cking citizen of the United States of America to get a license to drive in this state. How do you not have one?”

Kyle raised his eyebrows. “I was not aware.”

His boss could go on for a while, given the opportunity. The man loved to vent.

“How do you get through security at airports, then? We’ve sent you on so many business trips, I’ve f*cking lost count.”

Kyle shrugged. “I have a US passport.”

His boss barked out a laugh. “Yeah. You are a citizen at least. Been here long enough to have a green card, become a citizen. Good for you. Look, your family is damned proud.”

His sister and her son were frightened. They were clean, appeared unharmed, but both had dark circles under their eyes from lack of sleep. They were also unable to say anything as duct tape was securely fastened across their mouths.

“Your hospitality is not one of your strong points.” Kyle hoped he could set his former employer off on another rant. But he did not want to push too hard. He’d have to rein in his usual sarcasm and keep it light.

“Hah.” The man wagged a stumpy finger at him. “You know what was never right about you, Yeun? You can tell English isn’t your first language. You’re always so proper about how you speak. So f*cking formal. I’m a strong believer in not trusting anyone who doesn’t curse.”

Everyone had their pet peeves. For Kyle, he enjoyed language and conversation. In particular, he tried to be engaging so he could enter into more of both. In this case, he kept his mouth shut.

“Okay. This has been a shit show.” His old boss wiped sweat from his brow. “You’ve caused way the hell more trouble than you’re worth and dragged me into this. I didn’t need to be involved. But of course, you go squealing to the police and I have accountability. I gotta get this cleaned up. Best thing is to make sure you don’t go to trial tomorrow.”

Kyle swallowed hard. This wasn’t unexpected but it definitely could have gone better. “I thought the intent was for me to change my testimony. Wouldn’t that be much safer for everyone?”