The Memory Agent & Fool Me Once Read Free Page A

to celebrate.”
    “My Aunt Rita would appreciate that.”   Claire smiles as she approaches Brent.   She checks under his top button making
sure Brent is wearing a bullet proof vest and then straightens his tie.
    “I'd like to say, if I may, that I am honored to be on your team and
working for you.” Brent tells Claire.
    “Tell me about the target.” Claire inquires like a professor engaging a
student.
    “Riker Reeves.   Aged forty one .   He's
been off grid for three years, ever since he alluded capture after a liquor
store robbery in New Jersey for which his younger brother Duke served
time.   Over the last three years
Riker has robbed eight jewelry stores in the northwest in an area between San
Francisco and Seattle.”   Brent
declares confidently.  
    Brent continues his assessment of Riker.   “His MO is always the same.   He enters the store, alone, dressed in a suit, looking very
much like a respectable customer.   He pulls a gun on the clerk, commands the clerk to fill a black velvet
bag with jewelry and then handcuffs the clerk in a location where they can't reach
a phone or alarm.   During his last
heist he shot and killed Roberta Sherman, the store owner, in front of her
daughter, and then winked at the security camera.   The stolen merchandise has never shown up on our radar until
recently which led to the tip resulting in our current sting.”
    Claire looks pleased with Brent’s accurate review of Riker Reeves.   “Good.   Remember never lose your focus.   Riker is not only cunning, he's shown he can be merciless.”
    Claire hands a pair of thick rimmed glasses to
Brent.   “Here are your spy glasses, probie .   Are you ready?”
    Brent nods, trying to look confident.
    Boutique shops and specialty restaurants line a Northwestern city side
street.   Mid-way down the street -
Barkley’s Fine Jewelry Store.   Across the street and down about a block, a florist van is parked in front
of the flower shop Blossoms.
    Inside the van…
    Which is equipped with a state-of-the-art surveillance system, Claire
monitors a computer screen displaying live action images from the jewelry
store.   She's fidgety, longing to
be the one undercover and not the one caged up in a surveillance van.
    Inside the jewelry store…
    Brent, dressed as the security guard and wearing his spy
glasses, walks around the store.   He observes the jewelry cases, doors, and Victoria, the bottle blonde
store manager sporting too much makeup and Botox . His
observations via his spy glasses are recorded and
displayed on the monitor Claire watches.
    Inside the van…
    Claire sees what Brent sees.   She speaks into a specialized earphone with a connecting mouth piece .   “Langer, testing, can you hear me?”  
    Inside the jewelry store…
    Brent responds.   “Affirmative, loud and clear.”
    Victoria looks at Brent.   He
gives her a cocky "how cool are my spy glasses" look.   She's not impressed.   She motions to the doorway leading to
the back of the store.   “I'm going
to go have a cigarette.”
    Duke, shirtless, splits wood behind the cabin.   Every muscle in his upper body is defined by hours of
physical labor.
    Haley exits the cabin holding a cup of coffee.   She moves to the railing of the deck, leans on it, looks
down and admires Duke's fine form and cool tats.   “Hey Paul Bunyon , I'm ready for
you to rev my Harley.”
    Duke ignores Haley.   He
keeps chopping wood.
    Riker joins Haley on the deck.   “Good Morning, baby brother.”
    Duke takes a break from splitting wood and looks at his brother.   “Morning.   When do we roll?”
    “All in good time.”   Riker
promises.

 
    *****

 
    Days later, Claire sits in the van monitoring Brent
from the computer screen.   She
plays with a squeezie ball
trying to channel her "trapped in a van" energy.   From the computer screen, Brent in the
jewelry store tries not to look bored.
    “Happy anniversary, Langer.”   Claire chimes into her