Hunter

Recon

Hunter

I didn't have time to relax when we returned home. Mason sent Joseph and me on a recon mission. Mason wanted to gather information without action. Basically, we were doing surveillance work.

I drove the SUV while Joseph opened a case and typed commands into a computer. "What is that?"

"It's a specialized computer that locates people or gathers information. I use it during trips since it taps into a satellite."

"Isn't that illegal?"

"Only if I don't have security clearance, which I do."

I glanced at Joseph, realizing he had military clearance. That would explain how Mason accesses information on people without their knowledge.

"Pull over there and park."

I pulled onto the side of a street and parked the SUV. A few minutes later, a small dark-haired kid exited the house. He glanced around before strolling away with his hands in his pockets and whistling.

"Follow that kid, but hang back. We don't want to draw attention."

Screw driving. Most people would spot an expensive car following them. I exited the SUV against Joseph's protests and followed the kid. The kid would stop and look around as I stepped out of sight. I give him five minutes before he's bolting.

I kept following the kid until he darted down an alleyway. I give the kid credit. It took him three. But it will take me two to catch his skinny ass.

I scaled a fence, climbed onto a dumpster, and used a ledge to pull me onto a rooftop. I crouched and moved quickly before intercepting the kid.

His eyes widened when he saw me standing in front of him. Then, they narrowed. "How did you do that?"

"You're movements are predictable. If you're evading people, they'll still catch you." I shrugged.

"Listen, pal. I don't want any trouble."

I noticed the faded bruises peeking out from his shirt. "Neither do I. Where are you heading?"

"Why do you want to know?" The kid gave me a sideways glance. "Are you a pervert of something?"

I arched my brow and crossed my arms. "No."

"Then why do you care?"

"I'm curious."

"The comic book store has a new comic I want for my collection."

"The store is closed."

"So?" The kid shrugged.

"You need to disable the alarm and cameras before it signals the cops."

"Pft, child's play."

"Then show me."

"Fine, but no funny business." The kid started walking toward the comic book store.

We stopped when we reached the area. The kid assessed the locations of the cameras before proceeding. He rounded the building to a door, kneeled, and picked the lock until the door opened. Once inside, he disabled the alarm and camera in five seconds flat.

I watched the kid move through the store, around the rows of comic books, and stop at a box. He flipped through them before pulling one and slipping it under his shirt. Then, he headed to the exit and left.

"Wait. You broke into a store and disabled the alarm and cameras for one comic book?" I asked, walking beside him.

The kid pulled the comic out from underneath his shirt and studied it. "I needed it for my collection. I have almost all the others. Most people think collecting comic books is dumb. But they don't understand why they're important to people like me."