Page 133 of The Atlas Maneuver

Desperation filled her eyes.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll fix it.”

“I need to tell you—”

Her words trailed off in an indistinct jumble. She sputtered, coughed, and gasped. Her breathing went ragged. She struggled for air. Then her eye went wide, her mouth opened, and she stopped breathing.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

He waited to see if she might rebound.

But nothing.

He closed his eyes. He had not felt the pain of loss in a long time. Not since Antarctica. Then again in Paris. He’d thought those had been the worst.

But he was wrong.

This hurt worse.

He checked for a pulse.

None.

CHAPTER 76

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER5

9:00A.M.

KYRA HAD FLOWN DURING THE NIGHT AND ARRIVED AT THE DESIGNATEDlocation by midmorning. Catherine Gledhill had been emphatic. Get there but make no contact. Gledhill had also provided adequate background information on how to locate Kelly Austin’s daughter.

She remained apprehensive about this whole endeavor. Running errands for her clients was not part of her services-rendered portfolio. Still, this whole job had turned into the unusual. Considering the compensation she’d made an exception. This was turning into the largest payday she’d ever experienced. So if the Bank of St. George required a babysitter for a few days, then that was what it was going to get.

What was next?

She’d already received two inquiries through her usual channels. Never did potential clients contact her directly. Instead, she employed a variety of brokers who acted as a filter. She paid them generously for both the service and the risk. Their contact with her was always by text using coded messages with alert words that would signal danger without any outsiders being the wiser. Both of the current inquiries had come through with no alerts, which meant she now needed more details to determine which job would be next.

Or maybe she’d just handle both.

Her best asset was that she never appeared deadly. Quite the contrary. She made every effort to blend in. Be part of the surroundings. Do nothing that drew unwanted attention. She could always tell when a pair of insistent male eyes focused on her, flashing the unspoken message of desire. Which she rarely returned. Attachments were risky, and even the most casual of acquaintances came with dangers. It helped that she was no stranger to fear, but the downside to that was she never really felt secure, always possessing a contingency plan. A way out. Hard to keep count of the number of people who’d not shared her good fortune and died by her hand. She was getting older, and with age came contemplation. Was it time to stop?

Not yet.

She was enjoying a delicious breakfast. She’d called ahead and reserved a room at the best hotel in town, thinking she might be here for a few days. Gledhill had told her that she would be negotiating with Kelly Austin. Some pictures and videos of the daughter might prove helpful in bringing those discussions to a close.

So be ready.

That was the last instruction she’d been given.

She’d flown most of the night, arriving right after dawn local time. A shower, along with washing her hair, and a change of clothes had been welcomed. Now she was enjoying some fresh croissants, sweet blueberry jam, and hot coffee. She sat on a spacious stone terrace, enjoying a rare moment of personal satisfaction. Someone once told her,Be led first by your wisdom and second by your passion. Good advice.

Which she’d followed for years.

The plan for the day was to make indirect contact and ensure that Austin’s birth daughter was actually nearby. Gledhill had instructed that she would call when necessary. Otherwise, there was to be no communication. Fine by her. She was ready for this whole job to end. Her bitcoin was secure inside her personal wallet, protected by a confidential key, backed up by an envelope in a Swiss safe-deposit box. Thankfully, she had millions of eurosin a variety of banks spread across the globe. More than enough money for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life. But she was still young and there was so much more to do. Her services would always be needed.

For a price.

She indulged in another of the fresh pastries. She ate little when working. The rush of adrenaline that kept her senses sharp also dulled her appetite. But this job was essentially over. No more risks. Just a little recon.