Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I was speaking with Malcolm, listening to the girls and watching the theater, when someone gasped. I tensed, then relaxed when I realized one girl had dropped her popcorn. She was upset, bending to pick up the almost-empty container. The movie would start in five minutes, and I held up my hand to stop one of my men from moving. “I’ll get another one,” I said. “Malcolm, you and your wife take your seats.”
I hurried to the concession stand, getting another popcorn, keeping my eyes on the door. As I turned, I saw a man enter the theater, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. It looked like Alex, the height and bright color and cut of his hair familiar. I dodged the lineup behind me, entering the theater and scanning the crowd. Iona and her friends were fine, and there was no one out of place. I didn’t see the bright-gold hair anywhere. I gave the popcorn to Mike and asked him to watch for the next few moments.
I covered the theater fast. I couldn’t see Alex anywhere. If, in fact, it had been him. I returned to the seats as the previews finished, sitting down. “Eyes open,” I muttered into my earpiece. “I thought I saw something. Tall guy, bright-gold mohawk. Keep on the lookout.”
As the audience became engrossed in the film, we watched the room. I scanned it over and over. And while I never saw anything amiss, I couldn’t relax. My mind went a hundred miles an hour. How would Alex know we’d be here? Had the system been hacked? Was I being followed and I hadn’t noticed? As soon as this party was over, I planned to head to the office and do some deep digging. I would contact Leo as well on the way to the bowling alley.
The movie finished, and as agreed, we waited until the crowd was mostly dispersed to take the girls to the cars. They were all chatting about the movie, in love with the lead teen heartthrob.
“Did you like it, Egan?” Iona asked me.
“Yeah, it was, ah, great.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “I know, right? It appeals to every age group. He is so dreamy!”
I only smiled, not wanting her to know I hadn’t watched a second of the movie and if Mr. Dreamy appeared in front of me, I would have no idea.
At the bowling alley, we went right to the private room. Presents and pizza were waiting. I left men on the doors and checked out the entire building. I saw nothing out of the ordinary, but my anxiety didn’t lessen. I called Leo to tell him what I thought I had seen.
“How would he know?” he asked. “Our firewalls are solid. Damien and you built the system.”
“I don’t know,” I replied. “Maybe he’s following me?”
Leo snorted. “I doubt there is anyone who could follow you and you not know, Egan.”
“Maybe a new hire got befriended? Said something out of turn?” I said, grasping at straws.
“Highly doubtful.”
He was right. We only hired the best. And the best never talked.
“Still, I’m going to check the system.”
“Okay. Let me know.”
“I will.”
The group ate pizza and drank far too much soda. They moved to the lanes and began to divide up. Iona came over, looking nervous.
“What’s up?” I asked, concerned. Everything seemed fine, although I still felt wary.
“I wanted to ask if you’d be on my team. We’re one short.”
I began to say no when I caught her father’s eye. He nodded, and I realized I had no choice. “One game,” I said.
She grinned, wide and toothy, clapping her hands. She made that noise only teenage girls could make—a high-pitched squeal that seemed to come from her toes, it was so loud. She hurried back to the girls, who all looked pleased.
Inwardly, I groaned. Beside me, Mike chuckled. “You’ve got a fan.”
“God help me,” I muttered and went to pick up a pair of bowling shoes. I returned, slipping off my own shoes and sliding them on. I stood and joined the girls. I stayed in the mode, watching the area, not speaking much, although I clapped with the rest of them and smiled as they teased and taunted one another. None of them took it seriously, and they all seemed impressed with my ability. I hadn’t lied to Sofia. I bowled well, and I made sure Iona’s team won. None of them cared. They all got tiaras to wear to celebrate, and I jokingly let her put one on me, although I removed it as soon as they returned to the room for cake and presents.
I took off my borrowed shoes and headed over to the counter to return them. That was when I saw him. Sitting in the corner, drinking a beer. There was no doubt it was Alex. I approached him, keeping my face neutral. He smirked as I got close.