36 |

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
Rome, Italy

 

Agent Hugh Reading shuffled along in the security line, frustrated with the delay, exhausted from his lack of CPAP therapy, grumpy about the amount of money this flight was costing him, and terribly worried about his friends.

It was eating him up inside.

His phone vibrated and he quickly grabbed it, praying it was good news. The call display indicated his partner back in London, and his hopes surged.

“I thought you were sick?”

“I am, but I’ve got news you needed to hear from a friend.”

His stomach flipped as he expected the worst. “What is it?”

An announcement blared over the public address system.

“Where are you? The conference isn’t over yet.”

Reading frowned. “Umm, if I told you then I’d have to kill you.”

“That’s what I thought. Well, this might not come as much of a surprise to you, then. Guess what just came across the wire?”

“What?”

“Your professor friends are wanted in Stockholm for armed robbery and attempted murder.”

Reading froze, pressing the phone tighter to his ear. “Bloody hell!”

“I’d suggest stronger words. Their names and pictures have been sent to us.”

Reading resumed his shuffle, his mind racing. “Can you stop it?”

“It’s already been sent out. There’s no way.”

Reading cursed. “Then whatever they’re up to is about to come to a screeching halt.”

“Hugh, what’s going on?”

He sighed. “I’m not really sure, but I need to know where they are.”

“Aren’t we assuming they’re still in Stockholm?”

Reading grunted. “With those two, I’ve learned to never assume anything but the unexpected.”