Blowback (The Black Cipher Files Book 1) by Lisa Hughey

little bag as she rattled off her number. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”
    “Anything for Lucas.”
    I had a momentary pang of regret, knowing I was going to let her down, but I pushed away the softer emotion. I didn’t have room for softness in my line of work. Softness could get you killed.
    “Better get back out there before Fuzz Face gets suspicious.”
    She snorted with laughter.
    We burst out of the bathroom, startling Lucas. He straightened from his slouched position in the chair and eyed us nervously. “You two look friendly.”
    “Just a little girl talk.” Barb unobtrusively flexed her arm muscles and grinned.
    He shuddered.
    I could tell she was anxious to start the analysis and I was just as anxious for her to get started. But we had to make it look good, so we chatted about nothing for a few minutes, then she took us back to the front lobby.
    As she kissed Lucas goodbye, she whispered, “I’ll start right away.”
    She hugged me under the watchful gaze of the security guard. “So wonderful to see you both, we must get together for lunch next time you’re in town.”
    Sure.
    “Best time to travel. At night like this. You miss all the traffic,” Lucas boomed out for the benefit of the guard.
    Barb stood at the door and waved as we breezed toward the Ford.
    Fatigue tugged at me. Drugged unconsciousness was no substitute for good REM sleep. As far as I knew Lucas hadn’t slept either.
    “You want me to drive?”
    He paused, bent down, pretending to check the tires. Then he stood and gave me a look. “It would be out of character for me to let Betty drive.”
    As I slid into the passenger seat I said, “You are going to have some serious making up to do with Barb after tonight.”
    Lucas threw a startled glance at me. “We’re just friends.”
    Not if old Barb had her way.
    I wished I could relax now. Half the liquid was on its way to being analyzed. The other half was safely tucked in my purse. I hadn’t had any pursuers in the past four hours. A record at this point.
    But tension wound around me like a coiled snake. And I waited for the next strike.
    ***
    We’d returned the Ford, removed our disguises and changed back into the jeans and shirts we’d worn to the Chinese place. Only one task remained.
    We stood in Lucas’s garage, staring at the rental car. No one had located it while we’d trekked to the lab.
    I needed to get the hell out of here, but every time I turned around, Lucas contrived some new way to keep us together.
    I could take the rental car. But the license plate could be on a watch list and I had no money for gas. In the other bay of the garage was a nondescript white van. It looked like a plain delivery van on the outside. No logos or distinguishing marks. A little beat up but nothing that would spark a person’s memory two seconds after seeing it.
    I’d have to take the van.
    I opened the passenger door and pretended to inspect the inside. Unobtrusively, I tucked the purse with the evidence cup and liquid into the console between the front seats. I had to make this look good. “Nice digs.”
    “Thanks.”
    I slammed the van door shut and gestured to my getaway vehicle. “Loan me your van and some cash. I’ll get it back to you.”
    “I’d never see you again.” He backpedaled. “And I’d never get the information about Johnny.”
    Never see me again? Not a bad thing in my mind. He already distracted me more than I was comfortable with. I was ice woman. No one got to me. And here I was considering Lucas’s feelings, brooding that he wouldn’t find Johnny. I didn’t like it.
    “We should turn the car in near Sacramento.” Lucas dismissed my request.
    How did he know I’d thought the same thing?
    “It’s the logical choice. Makes it look like you’re heading East,” Lucas continued.
    Which I would be. I’d pretty much figured out I didn’t want to draw any attention to myself until I had the lab results.
    We needed to wipe