Mr. Dark 5 (Tamed #5)(21)

"I know who Fernandez is," I said. "And you're sure that he can take Lynch down?"

"If there's any evidence. But Owen didn't get to where he is without being slippery. Guy makes Teflon look like super glue."

"I know. Okay, Joe. Thanks for the information. Trust what I said though, you need to dump Lynch now. As for me and Sophie, we're leaving town tonight. We won't be back."

The Mayor nodded, and held out his hand. We shook, and the Mayor turned to leave. About halfway there, he turned back, a questioning look in his eyes. "Who are you, Marcus Smiley? Really?"

I shrugged and gave him a grin. "It's not who I am underneath that counts, but what I do that is important."

The Mayor looked at me quizzically for a moment before turning and going back towards City Hall. Sophie, who had watched the entire exchange silently, watched him go. "You think you can trust him?"

"Yeah. He knows he's in league with dirt, but he's tried his best to be as clean as a politician can be in this city. Besides, he was legit on Bennie Fernandez. Sal Giordano hates that guy too. I'm only worried about one thing."

Sophie watched the Mayor start up the steps to City Hall. "What's that?"

"How anyone can consider themselves worthy of leading a city and not get such an obvious Batman reference. Come on, let's go home."





Chapter 9





Sophie





The news reports were buzzing when Mark and I came home that evening. The bomb at the airport had gotten the attention of Homeland Security and the FBI since it happened on an airfield, and rumors were already swirling that there were things found in the warehouse that were connected to Owen Lynch. I sipped at my tea and looked at Mark. "Had you planned on that?"

"No, but I'm not surprised. Actually it's a bit of a setback," I said. "While it hurts Lynch, the problem is it takes heat out of the Confederation. We're going to have to really make sure the next one goes smooth."

Tabby came in, dressed to kill in a business suit that looked more appropriate on Sophie Warbird than Tabby Williams. Still, she filled it well. "Hey you two, you need to make your departure."

"You're right," Mark said, sighing and finishing off his own tea. He was dressed in cargo pants and a sweatshirt, and I had a moment of deja vu as I thought of the night that Mark and I had first fled the city, the clothes were so similar. "You ready?"

I nodded my head and got up. "I'm going to miss the purple hair," I said, running my fingers through. As part of our plan to disappear, I was going to go back to my regular shade of brown while also getting a short haircut. "I kinda felt like a superhero with it."

"You did give off the Psylocke vibe," Tabby said. "By the way, you like the suit?"

"You can raid that part of my closet all you want," I said in way of reply. She did look good, and the red was perhaps even more striking than the purple I'd been rocking. "Just remember that you're not officially President of MJT until two weeks from now, so until then, just be normal Tabby."

"I know, but I figured I'd send you two off with a good feeling that things are in good hands," she said, spinning on a heel. "I know you'll be gone only a few days, but still."

Mark came over and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. "We'll miss you too. Watch the fort, and you'll have us back before you know it. Just lay low, okay?"

"I will. I'm planning on my last trip to the old office tomorrow, to do final handover of my accounts to Donna. She's a good girl, and this bumps her out of the intern pool. She's going to be one to keep your eye on, she's smart as all hell." Tabby released Mark's hug and came over to me, wrapping me up as well.

I could feel her holding tight, and I clung back. "It's just a few days, sweetie. Then you get to boss me and Mark around, at least in public," I whispered in her ear, patting her back. "You're strong, and if things get scary, you know how to reach us. Just chill for three or four days, we'll be back."

Tabby nodded, then kissed me on the cheek. "Do me a favor while you're gone," she said while Mark left to go out to the garage.

"What?"

Tabby looked over her shoulder towards the door to the garage, then turned back to me with that familiar Tabby grin. "Take at least one night and rock that man's world. You both deserve it."

I couldn't help it, I laughed. Nodding, I kissed Tabby on the cheek and stepped back. "Damn right. What do you think we're going to do besides rest up during the next few days?"

"And your tummy?" Tabby asked, looking down. "Everything okay down there?"

"We'll check while we're gone. I'll tell you when we get back."

I heard the SUV that we were using start up, and I patted Tabby on the shoulder again. "Okay. See you when we get back. We'll text you when we get there."

Tabby followed me out to the garage, where Mark was already sitting behind the driver's seat. "See you in a few days," Mark said, hitting the garage door opener. "Don't eat all the ice cream."

"I won't," Tabby said with a laugh. The door rattled up, and we pulled out. Down at the street level, we could see a few paparazzi, exactly as we'd planned. Marcus Smiley's leaving town wasn't going to be front page news, but it did establish that we were leaving.