Chapter 57

“You first.”

* * * *

Xavier disappeared and left me with Zane, the TSA agent. I sat down at a nearby Starbucks. The irony of sitting in one didn’t hit me until later, as he kept me company. Mainly he left me to my thoughts as I felt a great weight being lifted.

“Zane, am I supposed to get my luggage?”

“Agent Gooding told me to wait with you here. We have an office here in the airport but it’s way out in a different part of the airport. I believe he intends to come and get you.”

I sat there and watched the lunch crowd come and go. Zane sat or stood next to me all this time. As I drank my second latte, purchased by the Bureau, and wondered if I could get a job at Starbucks, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Doing all right, Jake?”

I smiled as Xavier ‘s model handsome face came into view.

“Yeah, doing fine.” No sarcasm from me, but genuine gratitude. “So what’s next?”