The Escape (John Puller, #3)(120)

“They made me somehow, John. I have no idea how. I was watching Reynolds eating dinner and then I was suddenly surrounded.”

“Kansas plates?”

“Couldn’t be. I switched them out.”

“They couldn’t have recognized you.”

“No. When I went to her house Reynolds never saw me.”

Then it hit Puller.

“Her house! Bobby, she has a pretty intricate security system. You think she has exterior video cameras?”

“Shit. That must be it. I didn’t see any, but I didn’t check that closely either. She could have seen the images and known what I look like now. I didn’t put my ski mask on until I got to the front door. And I took it off when I left.”

“And a surveillance camera could have picked up your truck on her street. That’s how they might have spotted it tonight.”

“That was a big screwup on my part.”

“The lady’s good, we have to give her that.”

He took a deep breath. “It seems I’m not very good on the ground with this cloak-and-dagger stuff.”

“They haven’t caught you yet. And it was pretty nifty how you sent me a real-time map of where you were.”

“Simple, actually. It’s just software.”

“Still, I never would have found you without it.”

“I saw what you did back there. I’d be dead tonight if you hadn’t shown up.”

“Then we’re only even. Did you see anything helpful tonight?”

Robert told him about the dinner between Reynolds and Malcolm Aust.

“So a big cheese in the WMD world?” said Puller.

“One of the biggest. I just don’t how it all fits in. I can’t believe Aust is part of any conspiracy.”

“Who the hell knows, Bobby? The only person I know I can trust is you.”

“So what now?”

“Find a new place to stay and text me with it. Get rid of the truck.”

“I need transportation.”

“I’ll try to find you something. Only after I turn this wreck in the Army might never let me check out another vehicle. I’ll circle back to you as soon as I can.”

“They almost got us tonight,” said Robert. “And don’t say some shit like ‘close only counts in horseshoes.’”

“I won’t, because this ain’t horseshoes. It’s combat only without a declaration of war.”

“We need to go on the offensive instead of just reacting.”

“When you think of a way to do that, be sure to let me know, big brother.”

“Yeah,” said Robert glumly. “Will do, Junior.”





CHAPTER





60



WITH NO WINDSHIELD and a crushed front bumper, Puller decided it would be best to ditch the ride and figure out the paperwork later. Finally he could hear sirens wailing and engines being gunned and he wondered what the cops would find when they got there. Would the guys still be inside the wrecked vehicles? Were they dead? If not, would they answer questions? Would this sucker finally start to unravel?

He hoofed it hard to a metro station and was about to enter the building and hop on a train when a car screeched to a stop directly next to him.

His hand automatically went to his sidearm. The window came down and what he saw truly astonished him.

Knox said, “You need a ride?”

The two stared at each other long enough for it to get uncomfortable. And also long enough for a car waiting behind her to honk its horn.

He opened the door and climbed in next to her.

“Put on your seat belt,” said Knox. “It might get bumpy. But then again it’s been a pretty bumpy night for you already, hasn’t it?”

“How did you find me? You’re supposed to be in a hospital bed.”

“Reach in your left pocket.”

“What?”

“Just do it, Puller.”

He did as she asked and pulled out the small metal object.

“When did you put the tracking device in there?” he asked curtly.

“When I hugged you for the burgers. Susan Reynolds isn’t the only one good at sleight of hand.”

Puller stared fixedly at her. “So you figured out how she put the DVD in my brother’s pocket?”

“Just used a little magic,” said Knox as she pulled out of the metro station.

“Should you be driving in your condition?” he asked.

“I feel fine. I’m more worried about you.”

“Not sure what you’re talking about.”

“That was one wicked piece of driving back there. You should be proud. Take ownership of it, Puller.”

He dropped the tracking device into her cup holder. “I won’t be needing this anymore, and I’m sure you guys like to recycle.”

She ignored this and said, “Care to tell me what went down tonight?”

“Sounds like you had a front-row seat.”

“Actually I was in the nosebleed section. That’s why I’m asking for a recap.”

“So do you know who the guys were in the black vehicles?” he asked.

She smiled, but there was no mirth behind it. “And you’re asking me this why? I was just a spectator.”