Danger Close by James Sumner (classic novels for teens txt) 📕

and you. A quiet beach somewhere. Cocktails. No guns, no work. Just spend some time. I know I need it. I imagine you will after being there. And honestly, I think we need it, y’know?”

Jericho smiled. It was about as warm a smile as he had ever done. “That sounds great, Julie. Honestly. I’m looking forward to it.”

Julie laughed only to hide the tear that formed in the corner of her eye and the emotion that threatened to crack her voice.

“That’s great. That’s… really great. Thank you, Jericho.”

“No need to thank me,” he said. “You’re paying.”

They laughed together as she flipped him off for a second time.

He got to his feet, making the video feed shake once again. “I’d better go. We still have work to do. Keep me posted about New York?”

Julie nodded. “Of course. Be safe.”

“You too.”

He smiled as he clicked off the call. Julie sat back in her chair, trying to ignore the low, muted moans of pleasure coming from the restroom on the other side of the curtain.

She closed her eyes again and smiled to herself.

“Jesus, Ray…”

16

The jet landed at JFK without issue, and a car was waiting for them when they stepped onto the private runway. Collins winked and smiled at Louise as he descended the steps.

The air was crisp without being cold. The night sky was clear. The hustle and noise of the main airport was audible despite their distance. Julie and Collins climbed into the back of the dark gray Suburban. The driver and passenger were both GlobaTech operatives, stationed at one of the facilities in New York.

Without a word, they set off on the thirty-minute drive to Brooklyn. After a few minutes of navigating the slow-moving flow of airport traffic, they turned onto North Conduit Avenue and settled into a steady cruise.

“How’s Jerry doing?” asked Collins. They hadn’t spoken since he had emerged from the restroom as the plane was beginning its descent.

Julie shrugged. “He’s Jericho. Part of him wishes he were here. Part of him relishes being there.”

Collins smiled. “Aye, sounds about right.”

“When all this is over, I think we’re going to take some furlough time and get away somewhere. Just the two of us, y’know.”

Collins smiled again, this time like a proud father. “That sounds grand, Jules. It really does. The pair of ya deserve it, especially after all this shite. Got anywhere in mind?”

She shrugged. “Not thought about it. Any suggestions?”

He thought for a moment. “There’s a lovely spot in Cuba I reckon ya might like. Cheap booze. Good vibes.”

Julie screwed her face up. “Yeah… I was thinking somewhere on the beach. Quiet, secluded…”

“Ah, got ya. In that case, I can’t help ya. Sorry. I like to go where there’s a little atmosphere.”

“I bet.” She shifted in her seat, trying to get comfortable. “So, when we get to Mama’s Bakery, is she going to remember you?”

“Are ya kidding?” He feigned offense. “Who can forget me?”

She rolled her eyes. “Let me re-phrase that. Is she going to remember you favorably?”

Collins glanced away sheepishly. “Aye, well… admittedly, that is a whole different story, but yeah—she and I always had a good working relationship.”

“Good. I’d hate to have to deal with another woman from your past trying to kill me.”

Collins sighed. “One time… one time, that happened.”

She smiled to herself and looked out the window, watching the night lights form a thin orange line as they whizzed by.

They entered Brooklyn about twenty minutes later. They turned off Atlantic onto 4th and headed west, all the way down to 36th Street. The traffic was steady but not overwhelming. It took another fifteen minutes to reach their destination.

As they came up on 36 Street Station, Collins leaned through the gap in the front seats and pointed to the right.

“That’s where we wanna be, fellas,” he said. “Drop us anywhere here.”

The driver nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Collins sat back. Julie looked out at the bakery.

“That’s it?” she asked.

“Aye.” He smiled fondly. “Been a long time since I was here.”

“Not what I expected.”

The building was on the corner of 36th and 4th. The entrance had been designed to look like Greek pillars, despite being light gray concrete. A large window faced the sidewalk, showing a display of shelves filled with bread and pastries, lit from beneath by studio lights. There was no movement inside.

Julie checked her watch. “Is this place even open?”

Collins smiled. “Well, I doubt you’ll be able to buy a slice of pie, but if ya here on other business, Mama’s is always open.”

They pulled over to the curb outside the bakery.

“Want us to wait?” asked the driver.

Julie shook her head. “No, we’re good. Thanks. We’ll probably be a while. We got a hotel booked not far from here. We’ll sort ourselves out but might call tomorrow if we need a ride back to the airport.”

The driver nodded. “Not a problem. We’re here to help.”

The two of them got out. The vehicle moved away and was soon lost in the night traffic.

Julie and Collins stood side by side, looking in the window. Behind them, the noise grew as a stream of commuters ascended the subway station steps. They emerged onto the sidewalk as a busy crowd before dispersing in all directions.

“Lead the way, cowboy,” said Julie.

“Aye, follow me,” said Collins. He set off along 36th Street, past the bakery and toward the highway. “Entrance is around back.”

After a couple of hundred feet, they saw the alley on the right, which ran behind the bakery and the building next to it. A streetlamp nearby illuminated part of the path. The ground was covered in trash, despite there being a large dumpster on the left.

Collins walked on and Julie followed. The first door on the right was the service entrance to the bakery. It was painted red, with the logo in gold across it. Empty delivery crates were stacked against the wall beside the lone step.

A few paces beyond was another door, which looked far less maintained. The wood was stained and chipped. The hinges were rusted,