Page 31 of What Remains

“No way.” When Driver gave him a narrow-eyed look, John said, “And you know exactly why.” From the look Meek and Flowers shared, they did, too. He was relieved when Driver gave only a short nod in reply. He had no wish to embarrass the guy, but he’d be damned if he let Driver, strung-out on uppers, behind the wheel.

“I could do it,” Meeks offered.

“Not after driving all night, you won’t,” John said. “And not Flowers either. So, that leaves me.”

Roni, nettled: “Icould do it.”

“No, you work faster than I do. If Flowers or Meeks could fill in all the extraneous paperwork, then all you’d have to do is write a couple sentences for a medical clearance and make recommendations. Same thing if Shahida shows up with more kids.”

“That’s something Icando,” Driver said before either of his men could reply. “They need to sleep and I’m too jacked.”

And then some.“See? When in doubt, delegate. So there,” John said to Mac. “Problem solved.”And more than one. If he took kids or beans or whatever anyone wanted to call them across that metaphorical river, they’d be on their way to the airport in plenty of time.

“Yes,” Mac said, his tone abstracted.

“Don’t fall all over yourself thanking me.”

“What?” Mac looked up then shook his head. “No, no, it’s a fine plan. It’s just that…” Mac turned a look at Driver. “We’ll be breaking protocol.”

John and Roni traded looks. “I’m sorry?” John said. “So?”

“Naw, I get it,” Flowers said.

“I don’t.”

“It means getting someone at the airport on the horn,” Driver said.

“Uh-huh.” He was still confused. “So?”

“So,they meet you halfway, man,” Flowers added.

“And? What?” He waited. “Don’t everyone talk at once.”

“Ah.” Roni’s face cleared. “Yeah, I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense,” John said.

“Mac will have to transmit a message,” Driver said. “Even scrambled, anyone who’s listening?—”

Might get curious.“How big is the risk?”

“Which one?” Mac asked. “Risk is rarely black or white. Risk usually can be broken down into stages and a series of questions. So, number one.” He held up a finger. “The risk that the message is heard? More than likely.” Another finger. “Second, would the message be ofinterest? That depends upon who’s listening, yes? And then the last.” A third finger. “Will the message provoke a response?” Mac shook his head. “Unknowable, seeing as how we’ve never taken this risk before. We’ve not given anyone anything to see or hear.”

“I think this is worth the risk, Mac,” Driver said. “Otherwise, what will this have been for? We’re talking only two transmissions. You call with a request, and they acknowledge.”

“Three.” They all looked at Roni. “You need to tell them where and when,” she said.

“Still worth the risk,” John said. “No more than two, three minutes on the air.”

“My dear boy,” Mac said—at which point John was nearly positive the man had spent time in England, “wars have been lost in less time. But I also don’t see that we have much choice. Every moment we waste is one more we will never have again. All right.” Clapping his hand, Mac gave a brusque nod. “I will contact my people back at the airport and coordinate a rendezvous. How soon can you gather the boys you’ll take, Doctor?”

John opened his mouth to reply, but Flowers raised a hand. “I just thought of something. If you’re driving and someone comes at you, how are you going to both shootanddrive?”

“He doesn’t have to.” When they all turned, Roni said, “You’re forgetting one thing.”

“What’s that?” John asked.

“These boys,” she said. “They were Shahida’s army.”

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