THE CHARACTERS IN Mercenary of War always wear gloves when they’re on a mission. Criminals in TV shows wear gloves to make sure they don’t leave fingerprints behind. Hell, even the cops in movies and on television wear gloves to avoid corrupting a crime scene. So why in all the movies or video games or or TV shows don’t they say that while gloves keep fingerprints off things, they totally suck to work in.
He checks the time. A little behind schedule but not too bad. He’ll still be home by curfew if he hurries. The last thing Ethan wants is for his mother to call Miguel’s house looking for him. That would lead to all sorts of questions that Ethan isn’t about to answer. NEED requires secrecy. It’s his job to adhere to that rule.
Ethan grabs the duffle bag he brought with him and kneels next to the lamp so he can see better. He fishes out the plastic bags and the rubber bands. It takes him several tries, but after a few minutes he’s satisfied with the coverings he’s created over his boots. He takes a couple of steps. The bags crinkle but they hold and the rubber bands are just about cutting off circulation in his legs, which is perfect. Nothing in. Nothing out.
“Ethan?”
He stops and turns toward the faint sound of his name. Hannah must have gotten some of the tape off her mouth. Well, she can call for help all she wants. No one else is around to hear her. And really, he isn’t going to be here all that much longer.
“Ethan, are you there? Please. Someone? Please. Help.”
He picks up a metal jug and walks toward the office. The plastic coverings on his feet crackle with every step and his footsteps echo in the empty halls. He swallows hard and straightens his shoulders because there is nothing to be afraid of. At least not for him.
“Ethan.” The sound is colored by tears. “Please. Please, Ethan.” Desperate, hopeless crying that he doesn’t want to listen to. So he starts to hum, which does wonders to block out the sound. Whistle while you work, he thinks as he picks up a can of gasoline and gets down to business.