Page 26 of Harris

“How many men you got out there?” Apollo asked.

“Enough to keep you honest,” Brick responded with his usual grin. “Did you expect any less?”

“We’re not the ones who requested this meeting,” the second man said.

“And who the hell are you?” Brick asked. “I sure as shit didn’t invite you.”

“That’s none of your business,” the stranger growled.

Brick shook his head and said, “Good luck, asshole.” He began walking away as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Wait,” Apollo said. “This is Griffin, my second-in-command.”

Game, set, match.

Brick turned slowly.

“Second in command infers a military operation. Is that what you are, military?”

“Some of us,” Apollo answered. “Others are simply survivors looking for safety and peace.”

“Speaking of safety, before we go any further, I require something from you,” Brick said.

“What do you want?” Apollo asked as his eyes narrowed.

“Our man can’t get a read on you for some reason. We assume it has to do with your mutations.”

“A read?” he asked.

“Yes. He can look inside your thoughts and see what you’re hiding. Check to make sure you’re on the up-and-up.”

“One of their group is missing,” Conor said over the comms. “I’m picking up on thoughts from Griffin. They believe the Noah division at the bar has them.”

“For example, he knows you’re missing one of your group members,” Brick said. “And those goons at the dive bar might have something to do with it. Your second is readable.”

Griffin’s eyes widened. “What the fuck?” He scanned the area as if searching for the others.

“And if I refuse?” Apollo asked.

“That’s your choice. I won’t force you,” Brick made it clear. “We’ll leave and chalk this up to another dead end. However, I’d advise you not to get in our way if we ever cross paths again.”

Apollo searched Brick’s face, probably looking for any sign that he was bluffing. He wasn’t.

“We’ve got nothing to hide,” Griffin said.

“If so, prove it,” Brick stated. “We’re not looking to uncover that you were a thumb sucker or some shit, just that you’re trustworthy.”

Apollo thought it over for a moment before saying, “Fine.”

“Send in Conor,” Brick ordered.

Moments later, Conor came walking out from behind a burnt-out Kenworth and up to stand beside Brick.

“I’m Conor, a fellow survivor. After the Noah Group was dismantled, I was dumped off in an orphanage.”

The blue streaks in Apollo’s eyes shone even brighter as he stared at Conor. Instinctively, Harris hovered a nearby Buick into the air as a clear warning.

Griffin crouched low, and his hands began to glow, preparing for the attack. Apollo’s eyes returned to normal—well, relatively normal.

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