She doesn’t argue.
We merge into foot traffic spilling across the sidewalk — tourists, shoppers, couples already dressed in red and pink for Valentine’s events. Banners hang from lampposts. Paper hearts line storefront windows. It’s almost crazy how normal it looks.
Kat coughs again.
“You all right?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I know she’s not, but we have to keep going and gain distance before the consortium regroups.
A red trolley rounds the corner ahead of us, brass trim gleaming, windows framed in garlands of artificial roses. “Valentine’s Heritage Tour” painted along the side.
I grab Kat’s hand and pull her toward it. The trolley slows for a stoplight. I don’t wait for a full halt. “Now,” I say.
We climb aboard just as it lurches forward. No one pays attention. We look like another couple running late.
I guide her to a bench near the back. She sinks down, color returning slowly to her face.
“You burned them,” I say quietly.
“Yes, I did.”
“They won’t recover that shipment?”
“No.”
There’s no real triumph in her voice … only finality.
The trolley rattles through downtown, past bakeries advertising heart-shaped pastries, past hotels with red banners draped across balconies, past couples taking pictures under oversized floral arches.
Normal life. Danger dissolves into background. But it isn’t gone.
“They’ll look for you,” I say.
“I know.”
“They’ll look for me.”
“Yes.”
The trolley slows near a row of historic brick hotels. I stand.
“We get off here.”
We step down onto the sidewalk and walk without hurrying toward the nearest entrance — The Belcourt Grand. It’s a beautifully restored historic hotel with polished brass doors. The doorman seems distracted by a delivery truck. Good, the less people notice our faces, the better.
Inside, the lobby is filled with Cupid City valentine décor. It’s warm as well as safe … for now.
I guide her toward the registration desk. The clerk smiles automatically.
“Welcome to the Belcourt,” she says. “Do you have a reservation?”
“No,” I answer. “We need a room.”
She types quickly.
“I’m afraid we’re fully booked for Valentine’s weekend.”
