Circuit finished his donut and sipped some coffee. “I believe that’s the best step. However, what about the other plants? Nuclear is fine, but Japan also uses solar, wind, and biomass.”
“We’ll deal with those too.”
Circuit pulled out his red towel and wiped his forehead. “Isn’t it enough to take out most of the power?”
Naveen glared at Circuit. “What part of shutting all of Japan off aren’t you understanding? Stop being lazy.”
“Lazy!” Circuit faced Naveen. “It’s easy for you to work so hard when all you have to do is stand and bitch. Let’s switch places and we’ll see—”
“If we did, we would see me do a 100 times better,” Naveen countered.
“Oh really?” Circuit laughed. “Then, why are you over there and I’m over here?”
“We’re both in the same room, dickhead.”
“Yes, but I’m the one that was put in place by Misha to run the combat room. You’re just a visitor.”
“Misha put me in place to run his security—”
“In America, not Russia.”
“Because he doesn’t need security in Russia. He has the entire backing of the Brotherhood—”
“Or he wants you far away to let me take care of everything—”
“Or—”
“Everyone put their dicks away.” I took my hands out of my pockets. “They’ll be plenty of time to measure them later.”
Ava chuckled behind us.
I glanced at Naveen. “Supervise the people watching the codes in Paris. What do we have on them?”
“The Devil is monitoring Jean-Pierre’s condo. He rented the unit below. They’ve brought equipment in and out of the building. They are preparing for us to go inside soon.”
I let out a long breath. “Are you sure the eclipse night will work?”
“We believe Jean-Pierre will keep the codes at his place.”
“Even though he doesn’t know he has them?”
“We now believe that Eden knows.”
I turned back to the screen. “We believe but we don’t know. Get a clearer picture.”
Naveen walked off to the other side of the room where five techs’ only job was to monitor the codes in Paris.
I looked at Circuit. “I want two people to solely keep their eyes on Hiro and his Xecutioners. He knows we’re watching. Good. Let’s continue.”
“I’m a step ahead of you. They’re already on him.” Circuit pointed to the pair in the corner, staring at their screens.
I walked over there. I would have rather stayed next to Ava and chatted with her, but these days would be my last in finishing up this craziness. When I arrived, I stood behind them. “Anything interesting?”
The redhead pushed up her glasses. “We’re inside his phone.”
“Hiro?”
“Yes, sir. Man A.”
“What do you hear?”
She pulled up a voice clip and handed me her headphones. When I put them on, she pressed play.
A woman’s rushed voice came on. “The Dragon will leave with the Tiger at 1 p.m.”
Hiro spoke, “Where are they going?”
“They’re taking the twins to the park.”
“Get everyone ready to go. Women and children first. Men next.”
“And if we don’t have time?”
“Trust me, Mom.”
The clip ended. Excitement coursed through my chest. I checked the time. We still had an hour and a half before 1 pm.
Mom? Why would Hiro’s mother be at the Dragon’s compound?
“Naveen.” I held the headphones up. “Listen to this.”
He hurried over and put on the headphones. “What?”
The redhead replayed the clip. Worry creased his face. He gave her the headphones. “His mother is with the Dragon?”
“This could be useful information.”
“Or dangerous.”
“We should keep eyes on his mother.”
Naveen held his head with one hand. “We’re not doing that.”
“Why not?”
Naveen sighed. “Misha—”
“Fuck him and his family. If I can’t end this contract, we’ll get a team in there. We grab his mother and—”
“Are you doing drugs?”
“Then we renegotiate the contract.” I winked and walked off.
He called back at me. “That wasn’t worthy of a wink, Misha. That plan would come with a suicide letter.”
“Draft one after you get a team ready.”
“I’m not getting a team ready to kidnap his mother.”
“Just have one on standby. We may never need to use them.” I returned to Ava and sat down next to her. “Hello there. Are you waiting for anyone?”
She grinned. “My boyfriend.”
I put my feet on the desk and leaned back in the chair. “Is he a nice guy?”
“Sometimes. Currently, he’s doing big things all over the globe.” She took in all the screens. “Scary things.”
“Scary things? How could you have him as a boyfriend?”
“It’s hard not to want him. He’s seeped into every part of me.” She moved her attention to me.
“He’s under your skin?”
“And everywhere else it counts.” She gestured to Naveen. “Why is he worried?”
“I’m considering a chess move that could put my queen and king in a lifetime of danger.”
She swallowed. “Can I help with anything?”
“Stay by my side.” I took her hand and squeezed it. “Your presence keeps me calm.”
She bit her lip and went back to taking in the room. “I heard you call this the combat room.”