Page 48 of Complicated Past

“Coms check,” Harkness requested and waited for everyone to check in. “Their plane’s at the gate, and the doors are open.”

Linc’s adrenaline flowed. “Hey, J-man. I need you to use these.” He handed back the pair of headphones.

As he finished his burrito, he watched the clock numbers change over the next twelve minutes of radio silence. Waiting was always the hard part.

That Jalen hadn’t asked him how much longer for at least five minutes made Linc open the mirror on the visor. Peering behind him, he chuckled at Jalen’s closed eyes and open mouth. His head rested against the side of the booster seat as the tablet continued to play his show.

“It always amazes me how kids can sleep in some of the most uncomfortable positions.” Kendra placed her hand over Linc’s and gazed at Jalen. She wore a serene smile that reminded him of what Clara had said Kendra wanted for her future. Only now wasn’t the time to have that discussion. For now, he was content to sit and absorb her reassuring presence.

“I have eyes on the targets now,” Garcia reported.

Linc listened to her request passports from several travelers.

“How long were you in Mexico?” Garcia asked another passenger.

“Not quite a week.”

Hearing Bri’s voice felt like making it through a violent storm—only the calm could be the eye of a hurricane if they didn’t take down the high-level players running this operation.

“Was your trip for work or vacation?”

“Vacation.”

“It doesn’t look like you got much sun,” Garcia commented.

“I caught something. I spent most of the week in the hotel room.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Come with me for a bag check.”

“Why?”

The way Bri’s voice shot up in pitch, Linc didn’t need to see her face to know she was panicking.

“Just a routine inspection. Are you traveling alone?” Garcia asked.

“No. I went with a, uh, a friend.”

“Is he or she still with you?”

“She was with me until you pulled me over here. I think she’s waiting for me since she’s my ride.”

“This will just take a few minutes. Place your bag up here. Did you have any checked bags?”

“No, just this one.”

“Target subject is waiting and watching target two with Garcia near the phone store,” Patton spoke over Garcia. “And she looks nervous.”

“They both do,” Clara added.

The cloned burner of Malloy’s phone rang. Linc tapped his earpiece. “Fahey is calling me,” he reported in before he answered the call. “Yeah.” He exited the car to prevent the chance of Jalen waking up and calling him by name.

“We may have a problem,” Tawnya spoke lowly and rapidly.

“What now?”

“Security pulled her. They are going through her bag now.”

“She won’t say anything when we’ve got her kid.” Linc tried to keep Tawnya from panicking.

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