Outer Banks by Anson Barber Page A

didn’t even hear my demands. Or maybe he did hear them and was just that confident. I hoped he had a reason to be. “I’ll pay you fifty thousand in advance and any expenses you incur. Another hundred thousand when she’s delivered to the safe house I’ve prepared. If she is unsuccessful, you can transport her back to North Carolina. If she succeeds, I’ll pay you another fifty thousand dollar bonus. Agreed?”
    He had heard me loud and clear. He held out his hand and I shook it, hoping this wasn’t a huge mistake.
    â€œWhat is her physical condition?” I took out a pad and started preparing notes.
    â€œShe was healthy before the invasion. She ran every day, worked out. She should still be in fair shape now. Trevor said she seemed better than most. She’s been in general population for almost six months, and though I understand she’s been beaten up a few times, according to the guard she’s okay. They heal very quickly, you know.”
    Yeah, I knew. “Why has she been beaten up?”
    â€œWhen my daughter has an opinion, she doesn’t mind sharing it with you. She also doesn’t take no for an answer.” He shook his head while I resisted the urge to tell him the stubborn apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree. He hadn’t taken no for an answer either. “The guard says she can stay awake almost twelve hours, so she must be strong, right?”
    â€œThat’s a good indicator. Is this the most current photo you have of her?”
    He nodded and handed it back to me. “Yes.”
    â€œYou know she won’t look like this when I find her. She’s going to be different. She might be dangerous, desperate,” I informed him.
    â€œI’m prepared for whatever we need to do. I’ll make sure she has blood readily available.”
    I nodded, feeling better knowing he had a good grasp of what to expect.
    â€œI need to get some sleep and then I’ll start working on a plan tonight.”
    â€œHow long—”
    I put up my hand to halt his question. “When I’m ready. I can’t just pick her up like a prom date. I’ll let you know. Don’t try to pressure me, it won’t work.”
    â€œDo you think you’ll be taking her during the night or day?” His brow creased.
    â€œI’m thinking after she goes to sleep. It will be easier for both of us. Generally, I try to be ready when they wake up so I can explain things right away.”
    â€œThat’s why I chose you. I’d heard you were more humane than the others. I knew you’d treat her like a person.”
    â€œShe is a person,” I answered as I’d answered Corey.
    He nodded once again. “I only wish everyone agreed with you. Thank you, Mr. McAllister.”
    â€œCall me Dillon.”
    â€œDillon. Thank you.” It looked like he was going to tear up. I showed him to the door. I did not need that right now. He handed me a card. “Here’s my personal number. No one, not even my assistants will know what you’re doing, so you’ll have to contact me directly with any questions. I’ll try to answer, but if I don’t leave a suitably vague message and I’ll call you back. Whatever you need to get this underway let me know.”
    â€œI understand, Mr. Mitchell.”
    â€œPlease, call me Adam.”
    Great. We were on a first name basis now.
    He left me with fifty thousand dollars in cash in a nice thick envelope. Just like that. I could have run off with it and never even tried to locate his daughter. He also gave me a credit card that already had my name printed on it. “For expenses,” he’d instructed when I looked at it suspiciously.
    I’m guessing he had checked me out pretty good and figured I would take the job.
    Once his limo left I went straight to bed, barely able to kick my boots off before I fell asleep.
    While I slept, I dreamed of Emery Mitchell. The