Ghost Ship (NUMA Files 12)

Joe chuckled in an effort to cover his chagrin, but as the one-handed man was already disappearing into a conference room he decided not to draw any more attention to himself.

“Enjoy the remainder of the evening,” Acosta said. “Perhaps the young women you were engaged with earlier will still be unattached for the evening.”

“One can only hope,” Joe said.

Than Rang gestured toward the elevator and Joe walked that way. As the bell pinged and the door opened, Joe heard Than Rang speaking to Acosta. “Your people have passed the test. Our business is complete. Get them ready to move.”

Joe couldn’t linger any further. He stepped into the elevator and waited for the doors to close.

As soon as the elevator began to descend, Joe activated the microtransmitter the CIA had given him, a tiny waterproof device that was clipped to one of his molars. He spoke almost silently without moving his mouth.

“Got your ears on, buddy?”

A moment of silence rang out before Kurt came back. “I’m here,” Kurt’s voice replied.

The tiny speaker resonated against a bone in the jaw that connected to the ear. It truly sounded as if Kurt was in his head.

“I’m on my way down,?

? Joe whispered.

“Mission accomplished?”

“Not exactly,” Joe said. “I think we’d better make a quick exit, stage left, right, center, it doesn’t matter.”

“What’s the rush?”

“Well, for one thing,” Joe said, “the painting is a fake. I’m pretty sure Than Rang knows. And if Acosta realizes it or Than Rang begins to think that I know and just didn’t speak up yet . . . Well, let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be in Solano’s shoes at that point.”

“Except that you are in Solano’s shoes.”

“Exactly,” Joe said. “Beyond that, they took the case with the transmitter in it. Gave me a matching one filled with cash. But without the tracer, we can’t finish the mission anyway.”

“Not necessarily,” Kurt said. “I’ve found us a plan B.”

“Plan B?”

“The one person in the world as interested in locating Sienna as we are. And if I’m right, she’s just going into action.”

“Your mystery woman.”

“Appearing as a redhead today and going by the name of Calista.”

The elevator finally hit the eleventh floor and stopped. As soon as the doors were open, Joe stepped out. “Let’s make this quick. Where are you?”

“Getting ready to sneak into the ladies’ room.”

“I knew you were desperate,” Joe said, “but that’s taking it a little far, don’t you think?”

“She went in a minute ago,” Kurt whispered. “Someone else came out wearing her clothes. I assume that was to throw off Than Rang’s cameras. But no one else has come out yet at all.”

“Do you think she went out a window or something?”

“Or a back door,” Kurt said. “I’m about to go in and find out.”

“Makes sense,” Joe said. “On my way.”

By the time Joe reached the restroom, Kurt had pulled a janitor’s cart in front of the bathroom door and ducked inside. Joe found him looking for a secret panel, knocking on the walls and listening for a hollow spot. There were no windows or back doors to speak of.