Forsaken: A Fallen Siren Novella by S.J. Harper Read Free Book Online Page A

How long can Perez keep this up?”
    “She’s a marathon runner,” replies Torres. “I’m more worried about Maitlan.”
    “His adrenaline’s got to be through the roof,” adds Zack.
    The tension in the room builds along with the pressure in my chest. All the optimism I felt about the carousel being the natural place to make an exchange is gone. If I’m right, Robby won’t be waiting for him at the next location, either.
    “Target’s slowing down. Looks like he’s pausing to catch his breath. Another call just came in. He’s doing a three-sixty. Something they said must have given him the impression they’re close. Watching. I’ve been with him for quite a while. I think I should break away.”
    “We have a car close to Columbus Circle. An agent’s being dropped off, Bao Nguyen, do you see him?” asks Torres.
    “Not yet. Target’s crossing the Circle. I’ll cross with him then move past to the café across the street. Is Nguyen close?”
    A new man’s voice comes across. “I’m in position.”
    “You should see him across the circle at twelve o’clock, dark suit and overcoat, shopping bags in hand,” Torres replies.
    “Looking very metro-sexual, Nguyen,” Perez teases.
    “Bite me.”
    “Target’s waiting for a break in the traffic.” Perez’s tone is once again focused, professional. “I’m approaching. I’ll head over to the coffee shop after we cross.”
    “Boy or girl?” Suddenly we recognize Maitlan’s voice.
    “Girl,” replies Perez. “Trying to run off that baby fat.”
    They must be jogging side by side. The red and blue dots are moving in tandem across the screen. The fountain and Columbus Monument is ahead of them.
    “How old?” asks Maitland, sounding a little breathless.
    “Four months.”
    Torres breaks in. “Wave toward the coffee chop as if you see someone you’re planning on meeting, then head in that direction.”
    We watch Perez break to the left. The dots separate.
    Nguyen picks up the narrative. “Target’s on the phone again. He’s on the walkway that leads over the fountain to the monument. He’s looking back at Perez. I’m going to get a bit closer.”
    We wait. For a moment or two there’s nothing but silence.
    “Target’s removing the backpack. Holding it. He’s approaching a trash receptacle by the wall. Looks like this is the drop.”
    We hear the ringing of a cell phone as the two dots on the map converge, then Nguyen’s moves past. “Wait, he’s looking back at Perez again. Maybe he made her. Shit! Target is running toward the coffee shop.”
    Maitlan doesn’t get far.
    A blast rips through the line, filling the room with a sound loud enough to rattle all of us.
    “Nguyen? Perez?” Torres yells. “What the fuck just happened?”
    We hear sirens, screaming. We watch as the dot representing Perez runs toward the chaos. Her breathing is heavy, erratic. “Are you all right?” she yells over the din.
    Maitlan’s voice comes through. “What?”
    “Don’t move,” she says, then she’s on the run again. “He’s shaken, got tossed from the force of the blast, but he seems all right. I’m checking on Nguyen.”
    Suddenly her voice cuts off. There’s just the sound of ragged breaths and sirens, then sobs. Perez pulls herself together. “Agent down. He’s unconscious but alive.”
    “Thank god,” Torres whispers.
    “Looks like Target’s on the move. Intercept,” Zack orders.
    “Too late, He’s in a Taxi,” Perez replies. “Shall I pursue?”
    “Stay with Nguyen.” Zack tells her. Then, to Torres, “Get the chopper up. With the explosion, there’s bound to be several around the area already.” Whatever else Zack was going to say is interrupted by the ring of his phone.
    “What cell are you on?” His tone is abrupt, all business. “Good. Toss the one they gave you out the window.” He turns to Torres, “It’s Maitlan. He’s in a taxi. Can the guys in the chopper see if he’s being followed?”
    She speaks into her