Maggie pulled her filigree face veil up over her mouth and nose, fastened it to her hijab. Just her eyes and eyebrows showed. A good likeness for Dara.
“Stay close but stay back,” she said. “I don’t want to scare Kafka off.”
“Don’t worry, Maggs,” John Rae said, taking the driver’s SP 2022 automatic, checking it for a full clip. “If you don’t see us, don’t sweat it. We’ll be nearby. Place de la Chapelle.”
“I know you will,” she said. John Rae was planning to follow her from a distance, on the other side of the street. Remi had been dispatched on an alternate route.
Bellard was turned around in his seat, alert and ready: “We will be ready to move in, Maggie. Keep us updated as you go.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” she said, her heart beating firmly.
John Rae rose from his seat, came around, crouched by the sliding door. “Just remember, Maggie—a few hours from now, you’ll be grilling Kafka.” He raised his fist.
They bumped. Bellard raised his fist too in an uncharacteristic display of solidarity.
“Merci, Capitaine,” Maggie said, touching his fist with hers. “Once I confirm it’s Kafka, I’ll tap the Rino’s call button three times.” She stuffed her Rino in one pocket, Dara’s phone in the other. Then she picked up a sack of groceries, a prop they had ready in the event she had to meet Kafka. It also contained a minuscule tracking device in the bottom, the size of a pencil dot.
John Rae heaved back the side door amidst a whoosh of traffic. “It’s a milk run, Maggie.”
“Seems I’ve heard that one before.” She stepped out of the van into the busy street with her sack.
“Pousse-toi!” a voice yelled, right in front of her. Out of the way!
Maggie slammed herself back against the van, clutching her groceries. A youth on a skateboard rocketed around her on the sidewalk, rattling her nerves but good.
Calm down, she told herself. Milk run.
“Stay cool, Maggie,” John Rae said behind her. She heard the van door slam shut. The sidewalk was dotted with splotches of rain. A stray spot hit her exposed face.
She took a breath of cold air. She was finally going to meet Kafka.