Page 57 of The Fourth Option
“Kind of. The commands are more of a mash-up of Dutch, German, and a little English.”
“That’s weird.”
“You wouldn’t happen to know a couple guys who tried to break into this van the other night, would you?”
“What? No. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
She placed her hands on her hips, defiant.
“You know, I think I’ve seen your car before,” he said.
She studied him up and down, contemplating what to say next.
“What’s your interest in Connor?” she asked abruptly.
“Connor who?”
“Don’t give me that. I’ve seen you around.”
“Who says I have any?”
“I do. I saw you visit his grave. This van of yours was parked on Connor’s street. You were at his mom’s hospital and at the Federal Building. You a fucking cop? Undercover or something?”
Shit, I better up my game if I only caught her once.
“Cop? That’s a new one.”
“Like I said, what’s your interest in Connor?”
“Why are you following me?”
“Question with a question. Fine. It’s not like you’re hard to find,” she said, inclining her head at the van.
It was a fair point.
“I’m a family friend of the Staubs.”
“You knew Connor?” she asked, arms tightly crossed over her chest, fingers tapping against her elbow.
“I met him when he was young. I was tight with his father.” He stepped forward and offered his hand. “My name’s Chris Walker. That’s Paladin. He goes by Pal.”
She hesitated, then reached out and shook his hand.
“And I would guess you are Connor’s girlfriend.”
“IwasConnor’s girlfriend,” she replied. “But we weren’t into labels.”
Walker noticed she hadn’t led with her name.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Yeah, well…”
“You hungry?” He gestured toward a greasy spoon diner across the street, its neon sign flickering like a dying star.
“You creeping on me?”
“No.” Walker held his hands up. “I’m here helping Connor’s mom tie up some loose ends. I owed her husband a favor.”
