Five o’clock. Quitting time.
“We’ll never find them,” he said.
We stepped into the elevator. Booker was right, the lobby would be full of people in lab jackets, carrying briefcases, all heading to the exit. I assume that’s exactly what the spy wanted. Nobody would notice if he carried Prototype X712, whatever that was, out of the building. Booker might crave the chase, but we needed help.
I pulled out my phone.
I clicked the button, and before it could ring, he picked up. No introductions, no greetings. We’d have to work on those social norms.
“Connor,” I said. “I need you to find somebody for me.”
“Parameters?”
“They left the cybernetics lab about five minutes ago. Most likely has a package or is hiding a device.”
Booker mouthed, “Who is it?” He had done his research on Synergy, but he hadn’t turned an eye toward the ragtag group of people housed on the third floor. We were superheroes playing dress-up. I’d never admit it aloud, but Janet’s determination to turn us into anepicteam-up might actually pay off.
“Description?”
“No idea. Can you do it?”
I could almost hear him smiling. “I can do anything.”
The elevator reached the bottom door. As soon as we stepped out, Booker realized our plan wouldn’t work. The lobby was swamped with people heading home to their families. His shoulders slumped in silent defeat.
“Blue lab coat,” Connor said. I put it on speakerphone. “Cross-referencing his personnel records.”
“How does he know this?”
Booker’s willingness to bend the law before meant I could do the same now. “Connor enjoys tapping into security feeds.”
“That’s—”
“Efficient,” Connor said. “5’11”. 178 pounds. Paul Redford. Cybernetics division.”
“We’re going to talk about this,” Booker said.
“I see him,” Connor said. “He’s 273 feet ahead of you. He’s nearly reached the security desk. 78.2% chance he’ll take the left turnstile door. He drives a?—”
I shut the phone before Connor could incriminate us by sharingtoomany details about our spy. If I let him keep going, he’d have discovered a failed spelling test from the third grade.
“How did he?—”
“I’ll tell you later.” I grabbed his hand. “Let’s go.”
We charged through the crowd at a brisk pace. I didn’t want to alert our spy that we were onto him. Most of the scientists had removed their lab jackets; those remaining wore almost strictly white. But notthatone. I followed him in a straight line while Booker broke away, trying to come at the side.
The scientist continued glancing back and forth. Twenty feet and I’d be able to tackle him. I hadn’t realizedmy hands were balled into fists. This wouldn’t be another Cypher. No pounding or wrangling him. It’d be a simple takedown, and nobody would suspect a superhero. They’d talk about the government agency doing its job. No fist.
“Hey,” I shouted.
His back straightened. I grabbed him by the shoulder. I was focused on the single diamond stud in his right ear. The way his lab coat hung on his back made me suspect he hid the technology in a backpack. He spun about with a snarl, his arm trying to bat me away. He could try to get out of my grip, but he’d find himself dealing with above-average strength.
“You have something that doesn’t?—”
The lab coat shredded. Silver flashed. Two metallic tendrils shot upward from his back before coming down and grabbing me by the shoulders. Two more arms flew out, slamming into the floor and crushing cement. The clamps tightened around my shoulders, pushing on an already bruised collarbone. I growled, fingers tightening. No, not here. They couldn’t find out I had powers, or Arthur would kill me.
“Get away from him, you?—”
