The Janus Discord (ONC2024)

Chapter 10

Lyle held the newspaper up to his face as he observed the man casually strolling past the café. He lowered it, making a production of turning the page, and glimpsed the man pausing to check the sandwich board menu. A moment later the man stepped onto the patio and chose a table in the shade, against the wall of the café.

Lyle got up and went over, asking aloud, for the benefit of others nearby, if he could share the man's table out of the sun. The waiter brought Lyle's drink over and took the order for more, for both men.

"Would you like the paper, I'm finished with it." Lyle offered.

"I would, thank you."

"I've been looking for a place to move to, but I don't seem to be able to find anything."

"What are you looking for?" The man asked casually.

"Nothing extravagant. Small enough for one, but big enough to entertain a few friends from time to time. Those that I did like all seem to be gone now."

The waiter returned delivering drinks with efficiency, and departed.

"Is location important?"

"You mean local or suburban?"

"Yes. Out where I am there are places that sound like what you might be after."

"Really. That's interesting."

"I could give you a few areas to check out."

"That would be great. I appreciate your help. What is the neighbourhood like?"

"Mostly like us, I think." The man chuckled, jotting down on a piece paper as he talked. "Middle class, heading for retirement - hopefully."

Lyle accepted the piece of paper with the man's suggestions and tucked it away in his jacket. Several minutes later, he thanked the man again and bade him goodbye.

Back at Rebecca Davenport's home, Lyle revealed the additional information Arctic had written on the paper he passed to him. Arctic was the designated emergency contact for a covert agent assisting in the Icecap breach. He never knew who he was and never expected to hear from him.

"But he was contacted," Lyle enthused, "and it was this Devon that Tate told us about."

"Well, what happened?"

"He learned a number of things about what the man was up to - what had happened recently with the business at B&S, and how they were in need of another safe house." Lyle almost giggled. "Imagine, our man giving them a safe house."

"You mean we know where they are?"

"Just Devon. Arctic has him treading water until he can verify a site. It's all a delay of course, until Barkhurst can wrap him up and get him here for interrogation."

Rebecca smiled happily. "Wonderful. This will be a huge advantage for Zero going forward. If we can uncover another of our adversaries, we can tighten up all our logistic plans." She got up and stepped spritely to her drink stand. "This calls for a toast, Lyle," she returned with a drink for each of them. "To Zero opposition." They both laughed at the pun.

******

Marshal set down his tea cup and held the report in both hands. "You may just have something here, Frank."

The two huddled over a desk in a secluded area of the military facility, studying a new piece of information.

"I didn't think it was enough to convene everyone, but that's the fourth time that same Black SUV has taken that road. We managed to get a registration this time," he said with enthusiasm.