The Alias Men by F. T. Bradley Page B

Linc!”
    Like I needed reminding. “So I guess we’re moving to another location?” I asked, changing the subject.
    Kate nodded, and checked her watch. “Better get a move on.” She stepped back and smiled. “Just don’t hesitate to ask if you need help, okay, Linc?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œEnjoy the crepes. I’ll see you on the beach.”
    â€œYeah, sure.” As nice as the beach might sound, I couldn’t wait until this mission was done. I waited for Kate to be out of sight before opening the door.
    Inside the food truck, the kitchen showed no signs of crepes being cooked, unfortunately for me and my growling stomach. Stark looked up from the tiny counter, where she had a map of the US spread out. She gave me a little nod. Black didn’t even move his eyes away from the map. He looked even grumpier than normal.
    But I didn’t worry about him. Because to the left of the kitchen was a banquette, and sitting on one of the benches was my pal Henry. He jumped up when he saw me. “Linc!”
    I tossed my backpack aside. We fist-bumped, and then he gave me a hug. Henry doesn’t care much about being cool, which makes him the coolest guy I know.
    â€œSo good to see you, man,” I said. There was a black backpack on the small table, and I pointed to it as I sat on the bench across from him. “What’s this?”
    Henry grinned. “Gadgets for you.” He wiggled his freckled nose to push his black plastic-framed glasses up. “But first, I want you to tell me what it’s like to be in the movies.”
    â€œIt’s just . . . weird,” I said, and shrugged.
    â€œThat’s all you’ve got?” Henry sounded disappointed.
    â€œI’ve only been in one scene, and it got pretty messed up.” I told him about the runaway car, and how it almost hit Savannah and me.
    â€œYou think someone did that on purpose?” Henry whispered.
    â€œNo one wedges a hanger against a gas pedal by accident,” I said. “So yeah.”
    â€œEthan Melais is trying to kill you—that’s bad news. What if he succeeds?” Henry mused. His thinking out loud was not helpful. “Do you have a list of suspects?”
    I told Henry about my suspicions of Kurt having the hat, and how with the clothes hanger being used, he was obviously Ethan Melais.
    â€œSounds like you already have your bad guy. You don’t need my help.” Henry looked defeated.
    â€œI always need a gadget.”
    Henry perked up.
    â€œLet’s see them,” I said, trying to sound enthusiastic. Truth was, Henry’s gadgets had saved me more than once on these unpredictable Pandora missions. So I was really happy he was here.
    Henry reached inside the backpack and pulled out a wooden box. He opened it and took out a black watch. “I know this looks kind of boring, but Agent Stark wouldn’t let me pick a colorful one to modify.” Stark was too busy talking to Albert Black to hear us. Henry leaned on the table to show me the face of the watch. “There’s a button on the side, see? Normally, you would use it as a stopwatch. But I made it so it deploys a bulletproof force field.”
    â€œNo way!” I tried to reach over to touch the watch, but Henry pulled away.
    â€œIt only works if you push the button twice, and you can only use it once. Got it?” He gave me an urgent stare.
    â€œPush button twice, use it once—got it,” I said.
    â€œYour bulletproof force field is three square feet, and it only lasts thirty seconds, so . . .”
    â€œIf I get shot at, I should scram in a hurry.” I couldn’t believe I just said that. Dudes shooting at me? That was the stuff of Grandpa’s crime shows. “Hopefully, I won’t need it.”
    â€œI call it the Three-by-Thirty—get it?” Henry likes to name his gadgets—it’s a little silly, but sort of fun, too.
    It