Fire Point (26 page)

Epilogue

Two months later

Her eyes hidden behind oversized Jackie Onassis sunglasses, Tarian Griffiths smiled at Lock as he took a seat opposite her. They had seen each other since the events at the college. Lock and Ty had both attended the funerals of Peter, Teddy, and Marcus as a way of offering moral support. This was Lock’s goodbye. At least for a while.

The waiter came over and offered him a menu. Lock thanked him, but declined. He looked at Tarian and smiled. ‘It’s good to see you.’

She took off her sunglasses and laid them on the gleaming white tablecloth. Behind her, the sun glistened off the equally gleaming boats moored in the marina. ‘You can’t stay for lunch?’

Lock stared into her eyes, getting lost for a moment. ‘Ty and I have an operation in Europe this weekend.’

‘Top secret?’ she said, teasing.

‘Something like that.’

Her smile faded a little. He could see the sadness in her eyes that she would likely always carry now. ‘Just be careful,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I could take losing one more person I cared about.’

‘This should be pretty straightforward,’ he said. ‘Fly somewhere, collect something, bring it back Stateside.’ He looked at the empty place setting in front of her. ‘You’re not eating either?’

Tarian glanced across to a nearby table of glamorous young twenty-something women. They were all preened to within an inch of their lives. ‘Competition’s pretty intense here. Have to keep myself in shape. Although grief is pretty amazing for weight loss.’

Lock followed her gaze, then looked back at her. ‘I’d say you’re in a league of your own.’

‘Can I see you when you’re next in town?’ asked Tarian.

Lock rose from his chair. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. She moved her head so that their lips brushed. He could smell her perfume. Part of him wanted to cancel his weekend job. He drew back. His hand fell to hers. His fingers closed around it. ‘I’d like that.’

Ty was waiting for him in the car. The R6 was parked in the spot closest to the door. Face out. Engine running. Ready to go. Lock opened the driver’s door, and handed Ty a manila folder that held a couple dozen sheets of paper. ‘LAX to London. London to Budapest. One night in Budapest, then back to London with the asset on Sunday,’ he said to Ty. ‘We deal with the exchange and we’re back Stateside by Tuesday morning.’

Ty took the folder and began flicking through. ‘As romantic weekend getaways go, this sucks.’

Lock pulled out of the parking lot and took a right onto Admiralty Way, heading for the airport. ‘Go to the last page. Check the fee.’

Ty did so, and let out a low whistle. ‘Perhaps romance really is overrated.’

THE END

Ryan Lock Books

Lockdown (Ryan Lock 1)

Deadlock (Ryan Lock 2)

Gridlock (Ryan Lock 3)

Lock & Load (Short)

The Devil’s Bounty (Ryan Lock 4)

The Innocent (Ryan Lock 5)

Other Books

Post: (Byron Tibor 1)

Copyright Sean Black 2014

All Rights Reserved

This book is a work of fiction, and except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental

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