by India Kells
Lance’s mouth quivered a little. “We only go that deep if we need to bring someone down. Hasn’t happened yet.”
The tension eased a bit.
“Fair enough. You can cast me down to hell if I ever reveal anything about Sloane. But I know the work she does, and I wouldn’t want Chicago’s Vigilante to disappear. Not when criminals are threatening to take it over.”
A low chuckle came from the rest of the group, and when Lance stepped aside, it was clear the team members present were amused. One of them, a blond man came forward. “So Sloane is the only Vigilante?”
If they were all determined to be open and honest, Luke was determined to do the same as he put the pieces together. “You’re the Vigilante too... all of you.” Nobody had to respond to the statement for Luke to know he’d been right. Some reported the Vigilante to be a giant, others small and thin... it all made sense now. He would’ve put the pieces together eventually, even without Sloane’s earlier revelation. “How does it work? You flip a coin and you put your suit on? Or you have a schedule on the wall?”
Now, laughter bubbled, and the blond man came forward. “You’re funny. I see why Sloane likes you. I’m Sam. And no, we don’t have a schedule.”
Lance growled in menace, but Sam rolled his eyes. “Come on, Lance. He’s here and he already knows most of it. And you said all the required threats, including death. What’s more to say?”
Sam clapped Luke’s shoulder. “Not everyone who works here goes out as the Vigilante. A few are here just for support. The only rule is that only one goes out at a time, for the duration of a specific mission.”
It was similar to military-style planning, but one that made sense. That way, the person in charge could be completely focused on what needed to be done, but also have real rest and downtime.
Sam introduced him to one of the others, a guy named Arno Caldera who didn’t say much. Melina winked at him as Sam went to the command center. The other warriors resumed training, but it was clear that their attention was still on him.
“This is Devin. He mostly mans the computer.”
The tousled man with a Deadpool t-shirt came to his feet. “We talked earlier. I was the person on the other end of the phone.”
Luke shook his hand. “Thanks for your help.”
“No problem, it’s one of the things I do here. I’m still working on your request by the way. Should have an interesting list for you soon.”
The other man sitting by him stood. Tall, dressed in a tailored three-piece suit, with his dark brown hair slicked back, and a thick well-groomed beard, he looked out of place compared to the warriors training there. The man offered his hand and when he took it, Luke’s attention went to the black glasses.
“Yes, I’m blind. Normally, we’d exchange names before I go there, but as you’re clearly staring, I prefer to get it out of the way.”
Luke felt like a little boy surprised with his hand in the cookie jar. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”
Devin chuckled and the stranger smiled. “I’m playing with you. I’m Ben. I know when people are staring, and the black glasses are a dead giveaway. Artificial light tends to annoy me, but I see when it shifts, or someone blocks it.”
Luke was curious and wanted to ask what Devin and Ben did in this group of men and women but thought that waiting for the information to be revealed would be a wiser move.
Devin swiveled and his chair. “Sloane is headed down.”
As if on cue, Sloane appeared from the elevator, on high alert, until she finally spotted Luke. Only then did her shoulders relax and she came forward. Her pink hair a complete mess, dressed all in black, the jeans hugged her curves like they were painted on her body. Her top was a soft-looking sweater, revealing just a hint of her cleavage, where he remembered taking a lick, the taste of her skin on his mind. Even with the last discussion they’d had, his entire body still craved her. Not only her body, but her presence. When those blue eyes set upon him, it became virtually impossible to look away, not that he wanted to, at least for the time they had together.
Ignoring everybody else, Sloane came to his side. “Damn, couldn’t you just tell me you’d decided to come downstairs? I almost lost my shit.”
Before Luke could answer, Devin snickered. “Whoa, Sloane. You know nobody can get in or out without us knowing. Don’t you trust the guy?”
Luke found it fascinating to see the woman in her natural environment, surrounded by people she trusted with her life.
“Of course I do, dumbass!”
Devin didn’t seem to like the name calling, and was clearly about to retaliate when Ben intervened. “Please, can we focus here? It’s clear that Sloane trusts Luke. She was just worried about him, his health, but also how he’d be welcomed if he came down here without her.”
Ben touched Sloane’s arm before slapping Luke’s shoulder. “As everything seems under control here, I think I’ll retire. I have work to do. It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Luke.” Ben took his white cane, but didn’t use it as he moved away, stopping by Lance for a few moments before heading to the elevator door. If he hadn’t been told Ben was blind, Luke never would’ve suspected it by the way he moved.
With a sigh, Devin swung his chair, touching his bright sneaker to Sloane’s boot. “Sorry, Slo. We’re all a bit on edge, especially since what happened to you in that tunnel. I’m upset at you, professor, for going alone. Scratch that, I’m fucking angry. That was a stupid move.”
Luke crossed his arms. “It wasn’t my intention to put myself in danger. I had to act quickly. How long have you been looking for those tunnels to stop them? Yes, I’m a scholar, but I’m also a former Marine. I know the danger and how far I can push with the skills I have.”
He’d said it a bit louder than he’d intended, not just for Devin’s edification, but also for the four people in the training area. As Devin nodded, Luke felt Sloane’s hand on his back in a show of support, and he realized how much he’d needed her touch.
Devin smiled. “Man, if Ben vouches for you and Sloane wants you around, who am I to say no.”
“Ben vouched for me?”
Sloane shrugged at the question. “Ben is a profiler.”
Another surprise, which added another layer to this unusual group. “Well, if he can evaluate someone in seconds, he’s an exceptional profiler.”
Devin nodded, turning back to his screens. “He thought that because Sloane was too close and Lance was too pissed, he’d need to give his professional opinion on whether it was a good idea to kill you or not.”
Not sure if Devin was joking or being serious, Luke turned to Sloane who winked at him. “Lance wasn’t happy, but he trusts us.”
Luke looked at the warrior still fighting Sam. “Is Lance in charge of Noctem?”
Sloane continued to swirl her fingers on his back in an enticing connection. “He’s the founder. Lance and I have been friends for a long time, and when he founded Noctem, I came with him.”
Lance’s reaction made more sense now, how protective he’d been of Sloane and the secrecy around the Vigilante.
“Now that the introductions are over, while you were catching up on your sleep, I was working. Again.”
Sloane tugged at his wild hair playfully. “You never sleep, Devin, that’s common knowledge.”
“True, if I consume enough chips, jellybeans, and tang powder, I can go for days on end.”
“You’re such a child.” The smile she gave him revealed her outer annoyance hid inner amusement.
“Guilty as charged, but I’m also a computer whiz, which is why you love me. Too bad that love will end when I show you what I found.” The main screen switched to a street camera showing a manhole in the road. “That’s the one you two were standing under. We were lucky. Because it’s an intersection where the police have an ongoing problem with speeding and drivers burning red lights, they changed the angle to see the plates better in order to issue fines.”
Cars, trucks, and p
eople moved at high speed as they watched the footage.
“I downloaded a two-week window, but I’ve focused on the time you were in the tunnels, with twenty minutes either side to include the time the traffickers were there.”
Luke and Sloane leaned forward. “So?”
“So, nothing. I’ve watched the footage, and that specific time frame, over and over again, and nothing. The vehicles stop at the light then go again. No one gets out of their cars to drop something into the manhole.”
To prove his point, Devin rewound the video and let it play again. Luke focused on the screen, trying to see anything specific, weird, or unusual, but it was as Devin had said. “It doesn’t make sense. We saw them come inside, go to that spot, and come back. Sloane and I checked and there’s nowhere else they could’ve gone. Not in the time they were down there.”
Sloane sighed. “He’s right. Apart from that manhole, I don’t understand how else they could have gotten the drug.”
“Guys, I haven’t been to the tunnels, so I’m not saying you’re wrong, only that I don’t see how the drug was dropped down there.”
Still focused on the image, Luke frowned. “Can you replay it and focus on that truck?”
Devin didn’t answer, just did what Luke asked. The image was tighter when the video started, showing the moment the truck stopped to the moment it pulled away. Luke knew something didn’t jive but couldn’t put his finger on it yet. “Again, please.”
Sloane didn’t say a word and copied him, focusing all her attention on the screen. Devin looped the video until a tiny detail caught his eye and he inhaled sharply. “Look underneath the side of the truck.”
Devin repeated it again and froze at the moment Luke pointed. It was faint but there were two flashes of light coming from under the vehicle.
“I’ll be damned.” The hacker noticed it too, and zoomed in even more, pixelating the image, but even then, the flickering light was undeniable. “They must have a hole in the bottom of the truck. If they control the traffic lights, their plan is perfect. They switch the light to red, stop, remove the manhole cover, drop the drug, replace the cover, and go on their merry way, entirely undetected. It’s brilliant!”
Sloane tapped the screen. “Why can’t we see the plate?”
Luke could answer that one. “It’s got a blur shield. I have the same thing on my car. It’s easier not to be worried when I park near abandoned sites for exploration. If I get picked up on a camera, it can’t read my plates. A friend gave it to me when I did some post-doctoral research in Russia. It’s not exactly legal, but unless the cops get a close up look, it’s impossible to see it with the naked eye.”
“Of course! We noticed the same phenomenon when we were tracking you down after your escape following our first encounter in the tunnels.”
Devin shook his head, ignoring Sloane’s outburst and cutting off any questions he may have had for her. “I can check with past deliveries, maybe one of the trucks got sloppy, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.”
Luke sighed as he pulled away, rubbing the back of his neck. As he thought, he noticed the men had left, except for Lance, who’d wiped his face with a towel and was headed their way.
“I’d suggest returning to the scene of the crime to gather possible evidence from the trucks, but after the explosion, the place is swarming with cops. I asked Devin to keep an eye on that side of things with the police, and so far, they don’t have a clue we’re involved, or the traffickers are for that matter.”
Sloane looked deep in thought, and Luke loved seeing her bright mind at work. “What about the traffickers? Is there any footage from when they exited the underground parking after the explosion?”
Devin shook his head. “I’m still searching for a good enough image of the plates, or the men inside. They’ve probably used that same blurry thing on all their vehicles.”
Luke saw Lance shake his head as he came forward. “We’re running out of time. We need to cut the lines of entry for the drug. Just today, a hundred people have died from an overdose. The count is slowly rising. And it’s gaining interest in the media, which isn’t good. The more it’s talked about, the more curious people will be to try it, and the more they’ll die.”
Luke had to agree with him. Phantom had gained speed on social media, and it coincided with the increasing number of deaths, as well as the number of people hospitalized.
“If only they left that box behind. Beyond stopping the spread, we were hoping to get our hands on a sample, the first since Phantom poisoned our streets.”
“So until we get more information about who is doing the delivering, we’re back at square one.” Sloane seemed resigned, so much Luke came closer to offer her support this time. Instead of retreating, she leaned into his touch. “Ready to do some more exploring, professor?”
For the first time, Luke looked forward to going urbexing with Sloane by his side. At least now, he knew what she was capable of.
“I’d tell you two to get some more rest, but knowing Sloane, she’d probably ignore me.” Lance’s sarcasm was light with teasing. “But from now on, you’re not going down there alone or without outside support. It’s still your show, Sloane, but now they know we’re onto them and the Vigilante is close, it’s becoming too dangerous. They may think you were killed in the explosion, and we can use that to our advantage.”
Luke agreed. “I have to say Quincy has been a valuable source of information. Maybe I can use him if I can find him again. He knows my number, but after everything that happened, he may not want to speak to me again.”
Sloane smiled. “I’m sure you’ll convince him otherwise. You have a knack.”
He wouldn’t say it was a knack, but people interested him, and Sloane Friday was the most interesting of all. So for whatever time he had with her, he’d definitely make the most of it.
Chapter 18
It was hard for Sloane to stay still when her entire being wanted to jump into action. Past experience told her that sometimes a mission couldn’t be rushed, especially when they were closing in on their target. This was the same situation.
Lance had made sure all of Luke’s papers were brought to the upstairs apartment. Sloane had a place nearby, but she considered it less of a home than a utilitarian space when she needed to be away from Noctem, when everything became too overwhelming, or she was on the verge of sinking into drugs again. It gave her enough distance from her friends to get back on track before becoming the Vigilante when it was her turn.
She did suggest using her apartment as their base. It felt better to have Luke here, where she considered herself truly at home and more like the person she wanted to be.
After they’d returned from the command center, Luke had taken over the kitchen table and part of the island, spreading papers, notes, and maps everywhere. Hunched over his laptop, he pored over the information on the screen, as she paced. Until they had a target, she had little to do.
Melina had forbidden her to train, and Lance had reservations about Luke and wanted her to remain close. Sloane didn’t fault her boss and friend, and there was no way to convince him that her instincts were good enough to trust him with such a secret. Sam may have brought his girlfriend deeper into their fold but not into the sacred inner core straight away. It was no surprise that Lance needed more than her word for it.
“You’re distracting, you know that?” Luke still looked at the screen, scrolling his mouse, but there was a smile in his voice that was devoid of irritation, and it made her smile in return.
“Sorry, but I’m not good at being idle. I’m normally training, investigating, or out in the field.”
Luke rolled his shoulders before pushing off from the table and going to her. “What do you do when you’re not doing all those things?”
Her mind turned blank and shrugged. “After I left the police? Nothing. I’d just come out of rehab, and I was offered a job at Purgatory, the organization where I met Lance and Sam. I didn’t like being idle because I
feared my addiction would return to haunt me. I accepted whatever work they gave me. When we are not acting as the Vigilante our downtime is longer, which makes it more difficult to manage. I told you about my consulting job. It fills most of my free time.”
Luke touched her elbow, and she naturally reached for him, her hand touching his forearm. “You have control over your addiction?”
“More or less. It goes in waves but it’s pretty much under control. Or as much as I can control it.”
Slowly, his hold brought her closer to him, and she gladly let him. “But before you fell, what did you do to empty your mind, to recharge?”
Sloane had to dig deep into her memories, and that brought a smile. “Hiking and camping. Some guys at the police station convinced me to accompany them on one of their weekend trips. I didn’t want to go originally, but I was hooked after our first trip. Maybe it’s the reason I liked doing that urbex with you, although it’s different from exploring outdoors. But that was before I fell, as you say, and got back up again. Once mostly steady again, I never stopped working.”
Her heart stuttered when he leaned over and kissed her brow. “You just resumed the life you knew. Did it ever occur to you that balance was the solution? Don’t tense up on me. I’m not giving you a lecture, just a friendly bit of advice.”
She had to admit he read her well. Even though she understood the logic behind his words, the idea seemed so far away it was strangely scary and uncomfortable. “I know. Thanks for the suggestion.”
With another kiss, he let her go and turned to his computer again, leaving her bereft. The man repeatedly threw her off guard. He attracted her on so many levels without being forceful. So many other people who had wanted her to stay had used force or threats. Even worse, it never worked.
“I think you can help with the next phase. I’ve been sorting parts of the tunnels that are most unlikely to be used, along with ones I know that have both a manhole and a potential exit or entrance into a building.”