Read Online No Going Back by Mark L. Van Name - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mark L. Van Name
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self-destructively.
If I am gone, you will need their help.
CHAPTER 11
Jon Moore
A s we turned out of the alley, I called Lobo over the comm. “Inbound. We’re good to proceed.”
“I know,” he said. “I am listening over the comm, you know.”
I smiled. “Habit.”
“You trust that guy?” Lobo said.
“Yes, though it doesn’t matter if I do. If all goes well, we’ll be done with the transport before he could do anything to harm us.”
When we reached the landing zone where Lobo waited, we stopped talking and focused on moving as quickly as possible. I directed the transport to back up to him until it was almost touching him. Anyone watching might wonder why carts weren’t loading themselves, but they wouldn’t be able to see much of anything that moved between Lobo and the transport. Lobo would alert me if anyone drew close.
He opened a hatch.
I stepped inside him and began moving the unconscious kids into the transport as quickly as I could. I stretched out each one on the floor. When all ten were inside, I grabbed from the med room the drugs Lobo had prepared, ran back into the transport, and instructed it to close and pull away.
Lobo took off as soon as I was clear.
I called Chang, again keeping it audio only. She didn’t need to see her son still unconscious. This time, I didn’t let her comm know that I was the one calling her. I wanted to learn how she handled anonymous contacts.
She answered quickly. “Yes?”
Good. She offered no information. “Lydia, it’s Jon.”
“Is Tasson still safe?”
“Yes, of course, and very soon you’ll be with him.”
“When?”
“Soon,” I said. “First, though, I need you to do a few things for me. Okay?”
She was slow to respond. “It depends what they are.”
“A wise answer. What I need you to do is help me return the other boys to their homes.”
“I don’t have the money to do that,” she said. “You know that.”
“I understand,” I said, “but that’s not what I need you to do. This won’t cost you anything.”
“Do I have to help you to get back Tasson?”
“No. I’ll bring him to you no matter what. I would, though, greatly appreciate your help—and so would these other nine children, and their parents and families.”
“Tell me what you want me to do.”
“I will, but first I need to know something: Are you in the SleepSafe?”
“Yes.” A pause. “Thank you for the room. It’s lovely. I’ve never slept anywhere quite so nice.”
“You’re welcome. Now, has anyone tried to contact you? The police? Any newstainment groups? Anyone?”
“A lot of people have called me,” she said. “Maybe ten, maybe more. As soon as I figure out that each one is not you, I disconnect.”
Crap. “Did you use my name to verify that fact?”
“No!” she said. “I’m not stupid, Mr. Moore. I know your voice, and even if I didn’t, they all introduce themselves. Most of them expect me to be impressed.”
“Any police?”
“No. Why? Will they be calling me?”
“Yes, but given that they don’t know where Tasson is, probably not until they have a better understanding of what happened at Privus.”
“So what do you want me to do?”
“Hold a moment, please.” I switched to Lobo. “Can you spot anyone watching the SleepSafe?”
“At least one person leaning against a wall across the street, drinking something and not even trying to pretend she’s not monitoring the entrance. We have to assume more are inside nearby buildings.”
“Nothing unexpected,” I said, “just annoying. What’s the status on the park?”
“A few people sitting, a few walking, no big groups,” Lobo said. “Surveillance cameras are focused on only the liability areas—play equipment, like that. The plan should work.”
I switched back to Chang. “I need you to leave the hotel, but not by the front door. Use the emergency exit chute near your bed.”
“Why?” she said. “Am I in danger?”
“No. Some people,
If I am gone, you will need their help.
CHAPTER 11
Jon Moore
A s we turned out of the alley, I called Lobo over the comm. “Inbound. We’re good to proceed.”
“I know,” he said. “I am listening over the comm, you know.”
I smiled. “Habit.”
“You trust that guy?” Lobo said.
“Yes, though it doesn’t matter if I do. If all goes well, we’ll be done with the transport before he could do anything to harm us.”
When we reached the landing zone where Lobo waited, we stopped talking and focused on moving as quickly as possible. I directed the transport to back up to him until it was almost touching him. Anyone watching might wonder why carts weren’t loading themselves, but they wouldn’t be able to see much of anything that moved between Lobo and the transport. Lobo would alert me if anyone drew close.
He opened a hatch.
I stepped inside him and began moving the unconscious kids into the transport as quickly as I could. I stretched out each one on the floor. When all ten were inside, I grabbed from the med room the drugs Lobo had prepared, ran back into the transport, and instructed it to close and pull away.
Lobo took off as soon as I was clear.
I called Chang, again keeping it audio only. She didn’t need to see her son still unconscious. This time, I didn’t let her comm know that I was the one calling her. I wanted to learn how she handled anonymous contacts.
She answered quickly. “Yes?”
Good. She offered no information. “Lydia, it’s Jon.”
“Is Tasson still safe?”
“Yes, of course, and very soon you’ll be with him.”
“When?”
“Soon,” I said. “First, though, I need you to do a few things for me. Okay?”
She was slow to respond. “It depends what they are.”
“A wise answer. What I need you to do is help me return the other boys to their homes.”
“I don’t have the money to do that,” she said. “You know that.”
“I understand,” I said, “but that’s not what I need you to do. This won’t cost you anything.”
“Do I have to help you to get back Tasson?”
“No. I’ll bring him to you no matter what. I would, though, greatly appreciate your help—and so would these other nine children, and their parents and families.”
“Tell me what you want me to do.”
“I will, but first I need to know something: Are you in the SleepSafe?”
“Yes.” A pause. “Thank you for the room. It’s lovely. I’ve never slept anywhere quite so nice.”
“You’re welcome. Now, has anyone tried to contact you? The police? Any newstainment groups? Anyone?”
“A lot of people have called me,” she said. “Maybe ten, maybe more. As soon as I figure out that each one is not you, I disconnect.”
Crap. “Did you use my name to verify that fact?”
“No!” she said. “I’m not stupid, Mr. Moore. I know your voice, and even if I didn’t, they all introduce themselves. Most of them expect me to be impressed.”
“Any police?”
“No. Why? Will they be calling me?”
“Yes, but given that they don’t know where Tasson is, probably not until they have a better understanding of what happened at Privus.”
“So what do you want me to do?”
“Hold a moment, please.” I switched to Lobo. “Can you spot anyone watching the SleepSafe?”
“At least one person leaning against a wall across the street, drinking something and not even trying to pretend she’s not monitoring the entrance. We have to assume more are inside nearby buildings.”
“Nothing unexpected,” I said, “just annoying. What’s the status on the park?”
“A few people sitting, a few walking, no big groups,” Lobo said. “Surveillance cameras are focused on only the liability areas—play equipment, like that. The plan should work.”
I switched back to Chang. “I need you to leave the hotel, but not by the front door. Use the emergency exit chute near your bed.”
“Why?” she said. “Am I in danger?”
“No. Some people,
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