“You’re thinking about doing a very bad thing, aren’t you,” Jack said quickly. “You’re thinking, they’re paying me to protect this shipment and that’s what I’ve got to do. I respect that, my friend, but a word of advice: don’t. Not worth it. I’m not here to hurt you or hijack your truck. I’m here just for a sample. So take off your gun belt, hand it to me gently, and we can all end the day with the same amount of blood in our veins as we started with.”

The guard stared at him, chewing his neatly mustachioed upper lip.

“Hey, Grimes,” the driver said, his hands shaking. “Come on, man!”

Grimes sighed, unbuckled the belt, and handed it over. Jack tossed it into the cab of the truck.

“Good. Now let’s go get that sample.”

At Jack’s prodding, the driver led the way around to the rear of the semi. Jack kept both men ahead or to his left where he could cover them and keep the pistol out of sight. The driver unlocked and opened one of the doors, revealing canisters stacked four high, right to the edge. Jack noticed the guard eyeing him, looking for an opening, so he put him to work.

“Here,” he said, handing him a medium-size Ziploc. “Fill this.”

“With what?”

Jack quickly angled the pistol toward one of the barrels and snapped off a shot. The pop of the impact with the cardboard was louder than the bullet report.

The driver jerked back. Grimes only raised his eyebrows appreciatively.

Jack pointed to the fine stream of blue power dribbling from the hole. “Fill ‘er up.”

Grimes held the bag under the stream.

“Hell of a way to fill a prescription, man,” the driver said.

When the bag was full, Grimes zipped it closed and tossed it to Jack.

Jack backed away and lowered the pistol.

“Thanks, guys. Sorry about the tire. I’d help you change it but… gotta run.”

Before turning away, Jack raised his chin, causing the turtleneck collar to slip from the lower half of his face, exposing the mustache. Then he ran back the way he’d come, hiding the pistol under his shirt. He hopped into the car. He removed the hat, sunglasses, and mustache immediately, got rolling, and wriggled out of the turtleneck at the first red light. He had everything plus the pistol safely stuffed under the front seat by the time he reached the BQE ramp. The driver and guard hadn’t seen his car, and any description they’d give would include a mustache, so no need to worry or hurry. He took the Brooklyn Queens Expressway north, obeying the speed limit all the way.

14

The intercom buzzed.

The limo already? Luc thought as he reached for the button. It’s too early.

Raul’s voice came through. “A package came for you, Dr. Monnet. I left it outside your door.”

“Outside my door? Why didn’t you ring?”

“I did but you didn’t answer. Maybe the bell is broken. I’ll have it checked tomorrow.”