“Yes, D’Art, I’m fine. I need to ask you a question. Do you ever work with security companies like Brink’s?”
“Brink’s? Of course we do. Can’t transport a Van Gogh in the back of a Volkswagen. Why do you ask?”
“How about in France? Know anyone there?”
“Not offhand, but a friend of mine runs their European operations. Offices are just across the river at Canary Wharf, as a matter of fact.”
“I need you to find out how many trucks are in service right now in and around Marseille.”
“For Brink’s?”
“For all of them.”
“What is it, six o’clock there? Can’t be too many. Banks are closed. Museums as well.”
“That’s what I’m thinking. Ask if they can drill down on those that are on the road and find out specifically who tasked them and where they are going.”
“All trucks are equipped with individual location monitors these days. We can follow them every inch of the way, no matter where they go.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“Anything you’re looking for? Do we need to alert the police?”
“This isn’t anything for the police. At least not yet. We’re looking for a truck that is somewhere it shouldn’t be. Something without a tasking or an assigned driver.”
“A rogue armored car?”
“Something like that.”
“Now you are scaring me.”
“Make that call and get back to me as soon as possible. Oh, and D’Art, I owe you one.”
As Simon ended the call, he heard the helicopter approaching. He touched Nikki’s cheek. “Your ride is here.”
He ran outside and signaled to the chopper, shielding his eyes from the spray of dirt and gravel as it set down. The attendants had Nikki on a stretcher and inside the passenger bay in five minutes. There was no room for Simon.
“Where are you going?” she asked, as the attendant finished strapping her in.
“Not sure.”
Nikki squeezed his hand. “Hey,” she said. “Come here.” Simon came closer. “You never told me how you slipped my cigarette into the box without me seeing.”
“That’s a secret.”
“I won’t tell.”
“Get better and I’ll show you how I did it.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Nikki lifted her head and kissed him. “I know you’re not giving up.”
“We’ll see.”
“When you find those bastards, give them my regards.”
