The park entrance was marked by a battered sign. I ducked inside, exhaling the city and inhaling the green. It wasn't a real forest, but it was as close as you could get this side of the city. The path was asphalt, but there were dirt ones too. I liked to disappear on those where the trees and the bushes were thicker.
I ran the loop, counting the lampposts—one, two, three, then the blind corner where the path cut behind a cypress and vanished from the view of those who kept to the asphalt road. I didn't slow as I rounded the curve. I knew this stretch very well.
It happened too fast—a figure stepped into the center of the trail as I turned the next corner.
I stopped so hard my sneakers nearly slid out from under me. My hand shot for the pepper spray I had in the oversized front pocket of my hoodie.
There was no light here and I couldn't see very well under the blanket of tree branches.
It was a man, tall, in all black, face covered by a shadow from a hood of his sweatshirt.
Before I could properly process what I was looking at, the man said, "It's me."
Operative Seven.
I recognized his deep velvety voice.
He pushed back the hood a little, revealing dark messy hair falling across his forehead. A black bandana covered the lower part of his face. All I saw were those unsettling eyes.
I felt a small relief and let the pepper spray drop back into the pocket, but my pulse didn't slow down. "Is this a joke?" I half rasped, half wheezed.
He didn't answer at first. Just took a step in my direction.
"You're really committed to this dramatic entrance thing," I added. "Don't need to sneak up on me like this."
He took another step forward, never breaking eye contact. It felt like he was reading my mind. "No one can see us talk."
"Is something wrong? Should I be worried?"
"Not more than usual." He then reached into his leather jacket he wore over the sweatshirt and pulled out a small box. He tossed it to me. I caught it awkwardly—it was a cheap burner phone, still in the packaging.
"What's this for?" I asked, noting his leather gloves.
"Use this number from now on. Do not call me on the other phone."
My eyes flicked to the stickie note taped to the back. "Did something happen?"
He hesitated. "Things are a little more complicated than I thought when it comes to target three."
"I take it he's difficult to expose?"
Operative Seven nodded. "He knows someone's coming."
My heart was suddenly thrashing against my rib cage. "How?"
"He has money, therefore he has resources."
"Don't lie to me…please."
"I'm not lying."
"If I'm in danger, just tell me."
"You're not if I'm around. I told you that before."
"Areyou going to follow me everywhere?"
"Not unless you ask."
