Ghostwalker 08 - Street Game

else, even to Javier, who he knew loved Jaimie.
    He could hear Sergeant Major talking to Paul. His voice was a little strained, but he managed a laugh in all the appropriate places. His respect for Paul rose sharply.
    The boy sounded relaxed and very much a son calling his father, looking forward to seeing him. He led the conversation skillfully, talking about a fictitious woman he’d met a few nights earlier and was hoping to see more of. He asked about his father staying over and maybe going out to the Farallon Islands to whale watch, and seemed genuinely disappointed when his father declined and said he had to get back to Washington. Several times Griffen shifted restlessly, but he didn’t break position.
    Got it! There was triumph in Jaimie’s voice. Let’s get him out.
    Mack signaled to Paul to end the conversation. The boy talked a few more minutes and told his father he would see him after the meeting. Griffen’s voice was gruff as he told Paul he loved him. There was a small silence. Mack had the feeling expressing emotion for his son wasn’t something the sergeant major did often.
    “We’ll get him out safely,” Mack found himself reassuring Paul.

    200

    Paul nodded. “I know, boss.” He flashed a small grin. “Are you going to hit him upside the head like you did me?”
    Mack grinned back. “I think I’ll skip that part.”
    Sergeant Major is getting ready to move.
    Mack snapped back to attention. “Walk out the door and turn left. Approach the fountain. Take out your cell phone. They can track you anywhere just using the phone. It has to be thoroughly soaked. Accidentally drop it in the fountain when you get jostled. I want you to get wet and have to buy new clothes. There’s a men’s shop just up the block. You’ve bought a couple of suits there before.”
    Paul had told him that whenever Sergeant Major wanted a nice suit, he preferred the exclusive shop and would fly to San Francisco to acquire one. It was easy enough for Paul to go into the shop, identify himself as Griffen’s son, and purchase a new suit for him, made to his precise measurements. It was waiting along with socks, shoes, and underwear as well as a coat.
    “Remove everything, Sergeant Major. There’s a medical kit. There’s a tracking device under your skin. Probably on your hip. That’s where we found all of ours.
    You’ll need to remove that. We’ve got a man inside who will sweep you for more and help stitch you up. You’ll need to be fast. Once the tracking devices go down, they’ll be on to us. Once we take you, they’ll send in their troops to try to kill or reacquire you. This will shake them up. You’re here on legitimate business so no one will ever know any of this happened once we take them down, but you can stay under their thumb until we remove the threat or come out now. Your call whether we go all the way or not.”
    “Get me the hell out from under this bastard,” Sergeant Major snapped, his hand coming up to cover his mouth as he faked a cough.
    Sergeant Major walked outside, looked around, and whipped out his cell phone again, moving toward the sculpted fountain. He frowned at his phone as he walked, going through his address book with his thumb.
    Skull-boy gave up on the women. They caught the trolley. He’s on his way back, Lucas reported. I think they were genuine tourists, boss.
    Get back here and get into place. We’re going to need precision. Jaimie, as soon as they’re out of there, get clear. Get back to the warehouse and barricade yourself in.
    No problem, Mack. I’ve got the easy part. Be safe, all of you.
    Javier wandered out of the coffee shop directly behind Bond-boy. The man stopped abruptly in the doorway, making a show of putting on his dark glasses. Javier bumped into his back, planting the homing device easily.
    “Hey, dude. Keep moving,” Javier said rudely, shoving past and dropping his board on the ground.

    201

    Bond-boy flipped him off, already turning his attention to Sergeant Major. Javier gave a small kick-push and took off down the sidewalk.
    Sergeant Major pushed the call button to begin dialing a number as he leaned down to look at the bottom of the fountain where the light display played through the water. Something bumped his arm and he whipped his head around to see an elderly man reeling, trying to maintain his balance. He dropped his phone and caught the man.
    “I’m sorry, I was pushed,” the man said, looking around. No one seemed to be paying