by Mike Ryan
“What?” Mia asked, her voice raising in obvious concern of his well-being. “Umm, how do you know?”
“Well, it’s complicated, but the best way I can describe it is, David built a sophisticated software program that hacks into the CIA computers and lifts information from them. Last week we found something with my name on it,” Recker said.
“What was it?”
“Memos between various agencies, including the one I used to work for, and the CIA Director. They’re looking into things, one of which is where I am.”
“What makes you think they know where you are?” Mia said.
“Mia, these are extremely smart people who know how to find things if they look hard enough. If they haven’t seen the picture of me the police have than they will soon enough. Believe me, I used to work there, I know how it plays. If they’re not already in the city, they will be quickly.”
“Where would you go?”
“I don’t know yet. We’re still talking about it.”
“Wow,” Mia said, wiping her eyes as the tears started forming. “It’s umm, I just wasn’t prepared for this.”
“I know. I wanted to come tell you in person. I figured it’d be better this way.”
“Well, thank you.”
“Plus, it’ll be easier on you this way,” Recker said.
“Easier on me? How?”
“Well with your new boyfriend. With my picture getting out there, I’m sure he’ll eventually come across it, especially with him being a lawyer. It’s bound to happen.”
“I could handle him. You wouldn’t have to worry about it.”
“I know. But you shouldn’t have to keep secrets or anything. It’s not a good recipe for starting a relationship.”
“And here I thought I was having a pretty good day.” Mia laughed, trying to hide her sorrows. “I feel like you just told me my pet died or something.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not your fault. You obviously have to do what you feel you have to do. I just wish there was another way.”
“I wish there was,” Recker said.
“Will this be the last time I see you?”
Recker put his hands in the air, hoping to put a positive spin on it. “You never know. Maybe I’ll be back one day.”
“Can I still text you and call you or are you off limits?” Mia asked.
“My phone should be untraceable so you should still be able to.”
“I guess that’s something.”
“Hey, a few months will go by and you’ll get so busy with work and Josh you’ll eventually forget what I even look like,” Recker said with a smile.
“I really doubt it.”
The two of them continued sitting there for another ten or fifteen minutes, reminiscing about some of the times they had shared over the past few years. Neither really wanted to be the one to end their talk first, knowing what would happen right after it. But eventually, Mia had to get back to work. Even though she was now in a relationship with another man, she’d never forget the feelings she had for him and how she hoped they’d eventually wind up together. And though she tried to tell herself she no longer had those feelings for him, they were still there. She just didn’t show them anymore. As Mia stood to head back to work, Recker rose from his seat also. They each walked around the table to the side and embraced in a big hug, Mia squeezing him tight. As Recker held her in his arms, his face drifted down to the top of her hair. He loved the scent of her perfume and wished this was a moment they could’ve always had. But it wasn’t to be and he couldn’t dwell on it anymore. As they separated, Mia gave him a final kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll miss you,” she said.
“Me too. You make sure you take care of yourself, OK?”
“I’ll try. Who am I gonna get now to rescue me from vacant buildings and stuff?”
Recker smiled. “Well, hopefully you’ll never have to worry about that stuff again.”
“Yeah.”
Mia smiled at him and started backpedaling, not wanting to take her eyes off him. She knew once she did and she left the cafeteria, she most likely would never see him again. Eventually, though, she knew she had no choice but to turn around and leave. As she walked through the opened cafeteria doors, she turned around one last time and gave Recker a little wave. Recker put his hand up as well and watched her disappear as she exited the cafeteria. He couldn’t help but think maybe she was the last good thing he’d ever have in his life. Wherever it was him and Jones wound up, he didn’t think he’d do things like he did when he got here. It was kind of fortunate that one of their first cases just happened to involve a nurse, someone he could go to if he ever found himself hurt or injured. Whatever city they ended up relocating to, Recker didn’t think he’d try to have another medically capable person on standby like he had with her. If something ever happened he’d just try to deal with it himself, or find some underground type of doctor who’d been disbarred or did things on the side for the more criminally inclined crowd. Bringing someone decent into his world seemed now, like a bad idea.
Dejectedly, Recker left the hospital and drove back to the office. Before getting there, he drove around aimlessly for a little bit, hoping to clear his mind some. Though he’d only been in town for around three years, it felt like home for him. It was the longest time he’d ever spent in one spot at any time in his life. Even when he was with Carrie in Florida, he usually would only spend a few weeks at a time there before going out on a job. He felt a little sad that he had to pick up and go somewhere else. He just hoped this wouldn’t be an every other year thing with having to move. After soaking in the city streets for close to an hour, Recker finally made his way back to the office. Jones was curious how his lunch and talk with Mia went.
“So, how’d it go?” Jones said.
Recker shrugged. “I dunno. As well as can be expected I guess.”
“How’d she take it?”
“She didn’t break down and cry if that’s what you’re asking. Though it looked like she wanted to.”
“I’ll miss her too,” Jones said. “Obviously not in the same way you will, but I’ll miss her just the same.”
“Yeah.”
“Quite likely the last friend I’ll ever have,” Jones said. “Well, other than you I mean.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Do you think you two will keep in touch?”
“Yeah. At first anyway. After a while, I don’t know. You know what they say about friends and long-distance relationships,” Recker said.
“No, I don’t. What do they say?”
“They slowly drift apart. I’d imagine we’d be no different. It’s tough to be a part of someone’s life from a few hundred or a few thousand miles away.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Did you give any more thought to where you wanna go?” Recker asked. “Not Houston. It’s too hot. Plus, I wouldn’t be able to wear my signature trench coat.”
“Fine. I think we should abandon the east coast and try the midwest or west coast,” Jones said.
“I could agree to that. How about Detroit?”
“Why Detroit?”
“I dunno. They got a pretty big crime problem there, don’t they?” Recker asked. “Seems like we’d do some good there.”
“Detroit? Yes, I suppose it would work for me.”
“How soon do you think it’ll take to set up shop again?”
“Maybe a week, two at the most.”
“Why so long?”
“Well, I need to scout locations for an office space,” Jones said. “Plus, I have to change the server locations I get my information from. It takes time to do the things I do, Michael. I don’t just snap my fingers and voila, magic appears. It actually takes some work and skill to do the things I do.”
“I know, I know, I was just asking.”
“I didn’t just set up this operation in a couple days you know. It took thorough and meticulous planning.”
; “I bet. Speaking of new things, did you give any more thought to my suggestion of bringing on another guy?” Recker said.
“Guy? Why not a girl?”
“Just a figure of speech. Guy, girl, it, I don’t care. As long as whoever’s brought in can talk, shoot, and fight, and isn’t a douchebag, I don’t care who it is. As long as they’re capable.”
“I know, I was just kidding. But anyway, yes, I have given it some thought.”
“And?”
“I’m not opposed to the idea. I would just like to get established somewhere else for a while before actually considering applications,” Jones said. “Maybe a few months or so anyway.”
“I’m surprised.”
“Why is that?”
“I really didn’t think you were too interested in the idea of bringing someone else on board,” Recker said.
“Well, some of the points you made had some merit to them. It would make some assignments easier, as it were, but just because we might be interested in bringing someone else in, doesn’t mean someone’s just going to fall in our lap, just like that. It might take months or even years to find someone. I don’t want to add just any old person into the fold. They have to have the right qualifications and background.”
“You mean someone as loving, cheerful, and jovial as me?” Recker said with a grin.
“I don’t think the world is ready for a carbon copy of you.”
“That almost hurts my feelings.”
“I’m sure.”
“Hey, while we’re on the subject of new things, how about a pet?”
“A pet?”
“Yeah, you know, something to hang around the office all day with. Something to take our mind off things every once and a while and unwind, de-stress.”
“You’ve got to be joking.”
“No, why?”
“I can barely handle you and you want to bring in an animal I have to take care of?” Jones asked.
“You don’t have to by yourself. We’ll all pitch in.”
“What has gotten in to you? First you wanna bring in another person, then you want to bring in a pet, what’s next, a baby?”
“Sorry David, you’re not really my type.”
“Well thank goodness for that.”
“So, the pet is out?”
“I really don’t think we have enough time for it, do you?”
“Well, depends on what it is. Dogs are probably out. I like them, but they need more attention than other animals,” Recker said. “We’d probably need something like cats, or fish, or maybe hamsters or something.”
“No, no hamsters. I don’t think I could work properly hearing them running around on a little wheel or whatever it is.”
“Cats?”
“No, with our luck we’d wind up with one of those cats who likes to lay on your lap as you’re working or lay on one of my computers or something.”
“Fish?”
“I don’t know, I guess I’ll think about it.”
“Oh, we finally found an animal you like.”
“I don’t dislike animals, Michael,” Jones said. “I’m just not sure we can give one the attention it deserves.”
“You should watch yourself, David. You’re starting to sound like a grouchy old man,” Recker said, grinning again.
Though Jones obviously knew Recker was kidding with the animal suggestions, or at least he hoped he was, he wasn’t really enjoying this side of his friend. He preferred the violent, brooding partner he’d grown accustomed to.
“Don’t you have somewhere else to go or anything?” Jones asked.
“No, not really. Why? Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“To be honest...yes.”
Recker laughed, appreciating his honesty. “Well, can’t get mad at you for the truth.”
“Don’t you have someone you could shoot or something?”
“Seriously?”
“No, not seriously.”
“Oh, because I could probably go out and find someone if you really want me to,” Recker said.
“I honestly have no doubts of that. But I’d really prefer if you stay out of the spotlight if possible.”
“You know how I struggle with that.”
“Well, hopefully it’s something in which you’ll improve at our next destination.”
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t count on it too much if I were you.”
“Believe me, I’m not.”
“Ye of little faith.”
“Faith can move mountains, Michael. But it can’t cure someone who’s gun-happy.”
13
For the next several days, Jones spent a considerable amount of time trying to wrap things up in Philadelphia, while also scouting out possible locations in Detroit they could use as a base of operations. Something like what they had now was ideal, but he was open to other possibilities as well. Looking at potential offices over the internet was a bit problematic but just about possible. Thanks to the power of the internet as well as pictures of residential or commercial spaces for sale, Jones could get a decent enough handle on what was available. With the increased scrutiny, albeit more on Recker, he didn’t want to take the chance of traveling back and forth to a new city and putting their plans at risk, no matter how small or remote the odds were. While he was taking care of the logistics of their planned move, Recker continued taking on a few small cases. Nothing was especially major or time absorbing, just minor things he could take care of relatively quickly.
“Did you start cleaning out your apartment yet?” Jones said.
“Have you ever seen my apartment?”
“Well you know I have. I’ve been in there many times.”
“But have you actually looked at it?” Recker asked.
“I don’t get your meaning.”
“Well if you’ve actually looked at my apartment then you’d know that with the amount of stuff I have it could be cleaned out and moved in about an hour.”
“An hour might be pushing it slightly,” Jones said.
“Anything I need could be put in my SUV and I’d still have plenty of room to spare.”
As they were discussing their moving plans, an alert came in on Jones’ computer. He slid his chair over to the computer and started checking out the information as it came on screen. By his mannerisms, mumbling, and facial expressions, Recker could tell it was something big. At least bigger than the minor issues they’d been dealing with over the past week.
“What is it?” Recker asked.
“It appears we’ve got a hit on a potential bank robbery.”
“When?”
“Looks like tomorrow around noon,” Jones said.
“Nice. Haven’t interrupted a good bank robbery in a long time. What kind of players are we dealing with?”
“Pulling them up now,” Jones said, looking over the information before talking about it. “Looks like another four-man crew.”
“Wonderful. Can’t get enough of those,” Recker said.
Jones was staring hard at that screen, deciphering the information. “That’s not good.”
“What’s the matter?”
“One of the text messages I intercepted indicates they’re quite willing to kill people inside. Perhaps a police matter?”
“No, I’ll take care of it,” Recker said.
“Are you sure? This crew looks like they’re even more violent and dangerous than the last one.”
“One last going away party I guess.”
Jones pulled up the picture of the bank that was supposed to be hit and they started going over the background of the team behind the crime in waiting. Each member of the squad had lengthy and violent criminal histories. They were like the crew Recker took out at the jewelry store not too long ago. But the longer they looked over the impending robbery, something kept tugging at Recker that just didn’t seem right.
“This doesn’t feel right,” Recker said.
“Why? What’s the matter?”
“I dunno. It�
�s just…it just doesn’t seem like the best bank you could hit.”
“Well I’m sure they have their reasons for it,” Jones said.
“I’m sure they do. It’s not a large bank, it’s at the end of a shopping center, it’s not near a major highway,” Recker said.
Jones stopped him before he could keep going. “Mike, you’re thinking logically and like someone who doesn’t rob banks. These people are not necessarily logical. If they were, they wouldn’t do what their history says they have.”
“I know. I just always try to place myself in their shoes to figure out how I would do it.”
“Yes, but you also know that sometimes it’s just not possible to figure out how other people’s minds work.”
“Yeah. Hopefully this is the last big job we take on before we go.”
“I have a feeling it will be,” Jones said.
Recker and Jones spent the rest of the day multitasking. Recker began formulating a plan as to how to stop the bank robbery, while Jones continued with the impending move of their business. As Recker studied, he still found it strange how the crew was targeting that specific bank. It was a local community bank carrying a fraction of the money a few larger banks would have, several of which were only a few minutes away. But Jones was right, any bank was a target and the crew must have had their reasons for the job.
The following morning, Recker rose early, ready to tackle the day’s events. For the first time he could remember, he beat Jones into the office. Jones took it as a bad omen.
“I think something is going to go horribly wrong today,” Jones said.
“Why?”
“For three years I’ve been the first one into the office and everything has gone fine until now. Now, on one of our last days here, with possibly the most dangerous crew we’ve come into contact with, you break the string and mess things up by getting here first. You’re putting bad voodoo on us or something.”
“Really, David? Bad voodoo?” Recker asked.
“You know what I meant.”
“And everything has gone fine. You really need me to go over all the times something’s gone wrong? How about the time I was shot and disappeared for a few days?”
“Well, I wouldn’t classify it as going wrong,” Jones said. “You’re still here, aren’t you? Just a minor hiccup or bump in the road. But this, you’re getting us off on the wrong foot today.”
