Urban Outlaws by Peter Jay Black Read Free Book Online

life.’
    ‘Yes they do.’
    ‘That’s ridiculous.’
    ‘I’m telling you, they are ,’ Jack said. ‘You know why they’re wearing sunglasses?’
    Obi said, ‘Because they’re vampires.’
    Jack pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘No. It’s because CCTV face recognition software doesn’t work if you’re wearing sunglasses. It recognises facial patterns. Sunglasses screw that up.’
    Slink said, ‘Why would they care about being recognised?’
    ‘So they can move about unseen. Anyway, the software isn’t exclusive to the government. Anyone could be using it. Even bad guys use it to look out for agents or enemies.’
    ‘Why does it matter if these guys are agents?’ Obi said. ‘We can still –’
    ‘Forget it,’ Jack said. ‘No way we’re having anything to do with the government.’ Besides, he thought, none of them believed that Proteus was real anyway. Well, no one except Obi.
    The game had changed. Whatever was in those crates and boxes, it wasn’t bad guys that had it. It was worse – the government.
    Jack was just about to suggest they give up and think of another target when Obi called them over again.
    The vans and trucks were still in the alleyway but all the people had gone.
    ‘Where are they?’ Charlie said.
    Obi pointed at the roller door. Inside the building, shadows moved. The CCTV camera was at the wrong angle to see what was going on.
    Charlie turned to Jack. ‘You can’t tell me you’re not a little bit curious?’
    Jack shook his head.
    ‘Jack,’ Slink said in a tentative voice, ‘let me go see.’
    ‘No way.’
    ‘I’ll be careful.’
    ‘Not a chance.’
    ‘I’ve got an idea.’ Charlie hurried off down the corridor.
    A few minutes later, she returned wearing her hoodie and black leather jacket. She had something strapped to her shoulder and was clipping a battery pack to her belt.
    ‘What’s that?’ Wren said.
    ‘A camera.’ Charlie called to Obi, ‘SIM seven.’ She looked at Jack. ‘I’ll be quick. In. Out. Gone.’
    ‘You’re not going.’
    Charlie ignored him. ‘Obi?’
    Obi typed a few commands and the main display sprang to life. It showed a view of the bunker from Charlie’s shoulder cam.
    Jack grabbed her arm. ‘You’re not going.’
    ‘Jack,’ Charlie said in a strong tone, ‘if you have a better suggestion for a target . . .’ Her voice trailed off.
    Jack hesitated, then let go. ‘Fine. Whatever.’ If she wanted to see, there was nothing he could do about it. He didn’t own her. They were a team. He sighed. ‘Just be careful, OK?’
    Charlie winked. ‘Always.’ She looked at Obi. ‘Ready?’ Obi gave her a thumbs-up and Charlie ran to the door. It hissed open and she stepped through.
    The rest of them watched the main display. It showed the image of Charlie’s shoulder camera as she sprinted along the tunnels, the beam of her torch bouncing off the walls.
    Jack had a bad feeling about this.
    •   •   •
    Twenty minutes later, Charlie was climbing the metal ladder that led into the park. She slowly lifted the manhole cover and peered out. It was dark and deserted, so she slid on to the grass.
    Another glance around the park and then she jogged along the main path to the entrance. She ran across the road and kept close to the buildings. A few blocks up, she slowed her pace, keeping her back to the wall, staying in the shadows.
    They could hear her fast breaths coming through the speakers.
    After a minute or so, Charlie peered around the corner into the alleyway. It was still filled with various vans and trucks, but there was no sign of anyone.
    She hurried into the alley, keeping low and close to the vehicles.
    Charlie appeared in the black-and-white CCTV image on Obi’s screen.
    ‘Can the government agents see Charlie on their monitors too?’ Jack asked Obi.
    Obi shook his head. ‘They’re watching a recording from earlier. She’s safe.’
    Charlie stopped behind a van to catch her breath.
    Jack picked up the microphone.