“It’s really not a problem,” I say, already moving. “It’ll just take a minute.”
She studies me for a beat, then ducks her head and goes back to her script. “Sure. Knock yourself out.”
I crouch, frowning at the busted lock. TSA’s not usually that careless, especially when the thing is prebuilt for their universal key. TSA 007 is stamped right on the metal.
I unzip the suitcase and spot a folded piece of paper.
TSA leaves notices all the time after random searches.
I almost dismiss it as routine.
Almost.
But something about it is wrong.
I glance up to make sure Pix is still absorbed in her script, then ease the suitcase open just a little more and unfold it.
olly
olly
oxen
free
Oh, Ava… you’ll never get away from me.
My breath stops as Gabe’s words crash through my head.
Ava can’t know.
You can’t tell her.
But I also can’t leave the fucking suitcase here. Not now.
I need a team on it. Immediately.
Which means I also need a way to do it without setting off alarms.
Think.
Pix’s lips move soundlessly as she reads. Focused.
Then, without looking up, she says, “You’re staring.”
I snap the suitcase closed. Fast.
“Actually,” I say, making it up as I go, “I wanted to, uh, show you something.”
Her brow furrows as she looks up. “What? Something with my suitcase?” She hops to her feet.
“No.” I step into her path before I can think better of it, then gesture toward the window. “It’s… outside.” I force casual into my voice. “It won’t take long.”
She glances out into the dark, then back at me. “It’s dark.”
“Exactly.”
Confused, she studies me. Then she deadpans, “Is this where you take me into the woods to butcher me? Because that feels very on brand for a lumberjack first date.”
