“What about people who interviewed for ALPHA, but didn’t get offered the position or turned it down?”
“Z and Providence could help with that.”
The light turned green, but he didn’t move. Just then, someone flew through the intersection and almost T-boned the car in the other lane.
“That woulda hurt,” she said. “How did you know to wait?”
“Elsa taught me to drive,” he said as he hit the gas. “She’d tell me to wait, then she’d say, ‘Look first, Lulu.’ As a teen, I didn’t listen to her, until I almost got hit. Now, I wait.”
“Great advice.” Simone’s phone rang. It was her brother and she answered, put the phone on speaker. “Hey, I’m running late.”
“Totally fine,” Gary said. “I thought maybe you forgot.”
“I’m bringing you a surprise.”
“Wonderful,” Gary said. “I hope it’s something delicious to drink.”
“We’ll be there in ten.”
“We?” Gary blurted. “Simone, who?—”
“Love you.” Simone hung up, and Luciano chuckled.
“If he wants to hang with his sis, you just sent him into a tailspin.”
“He’ll be fine.” After a pause, she continued. “Given what I know from being a watcher, if I reported questionable behavior,the prospective employeewouldn’tget called in to interview. I’m pretty sure they only bring in people they’re excited about hiring.”
“What about people who got fired from ALPHA?” he prodded.
“You ask good questions.”
Luciano pulled into Monarch Towers and parked. They exited the sports car, he pulled the gift bag, and they made their way toward the brightly-lit lobby.
“For the people who got fired, I’ll see if there’s a report I can run,” she replied. “If there isn’t, I’ll ask Z and Providence.”
“Nice work.”
“What did you learn today?” she asked him.
“I found a comment in a different chat room,” he murmured. “It said, ‘The Bomb Maker and Friends are unstoppable. Epic destruction on victory day.’”
“Friends?” she asked. They entered the building and she lowered her voice. “He’s taunting law enforcement.”
“Law enforcement doesn’t know he’s back,” he murmured. “He’s taunting ALPHA.”
An older couple joined them at the elevator bank. “Hi, there,” said the woman. “Do you live in the building?”
“I’m visiting my brother,” Simone replied. “How ‘bout you?”
“We’re on the penthouse floor,” said the man.
“That’s where my brother lives. Gary Redding.”
They broke into grins. “We’re buying one of their puppies,” said the woman. “Have you seen them?”
“We’re about to,” Luciano replied.
The elevator doors opened and the men waited while the women stepped into the cab.
