Chapter 12: Losing a contact

I stared at the e-mail and my eyes narrowed. It was an automated message that would have normally gone into the spam folder; the problem was its header. I started a search and found the obituary quickly. One look made me turn to the seldom-used desktop computer. After I finished canceling a few local appointments, I switched its IP and shut it down.

I made a couple of arrangements on my laptop and stood. I crossed to the large bookcase and pressed on one of the thick wooden supports. There was no sound, but I pulled, and part of the case came away from the wall. Embedded in the wall was an array of knives, guns, darts, and small vials. I removed what looked like an Auto Mag.

It was chambered for 45 APC, and around the entire barrel and several inches beyond the barrel was an integrated silencer. The whole thing was custom-made from carbon fiber, with the exception of the barrel, which was a composite. I pulled out a dozen magazines and closed the bookcase.

I went into my bedroom and placed the gun and magazines on the bed before carefully dressing. The suit I wore was made from expensive silk. Several more went into the suit bag. Moving through Europe is easy, but entering the United States was always hard. First, I went through the Bahamas, and then a fast chartered boat took me to Miami.