Chapter 16
Some time later, Adam saw Butcher return to the van. M.M. came in behind him, and Frenchie entered last.
Before leaving Popclaw's apartment, they had forced her to help wrap her landlord's body. She had followed every order because the recording was still in their hands. The body was ready to be moved, and Popclaw knew she could not call anyone without exposing herself.
Frenchie had made her bring out sheets to wrap the body. M.M. had watched while she covered it and sealed the wrapping. Butcher had made it clear that she would finish hiding what happened after they left. Popclaw had agreed because the video gave her no room to refuse.
Butcher looked at Adam before turning toward Frenchie.
"I have to go," he said. "Keep an eye on her until I get back."
Frenchie nodded. Adam watched Butcher leave without asking where he was going.
Butcher went to meet Susan Raynor, the Deputy Director of the CIA. She was the federal contact he had used before, and she already knew enough about his war against Vought to understand why he had come.
He showed her the images of A-Train and Popclaw using Compound V.
Raynor looked at the images before placing them back on her desk. "Pictures are not proof I can use. Bring me a sample."
"Working on it," Butcher said.
Raynor watched him closely. She also asked about Translucent, who had suddenly disappeared. Butcher acted as if the question meant nothing to him and left after promising that he would get real proof.
Back inside the van, Adam looked at Frenchie.
"Let's put more pressure on Popclaw," he said. "She knows more."
M.M. agreed and called her. Frenchie stood beside him while Adam stayed close enough to hear the call. Hughie remained near the monitor and listened without speaking.
Popclaw answered after several rings. Her voice was weak. "What do you want now?"
M.M. did not waste time. "We still have your video. If you keep hiding things, it goes online."
"I already told you what I know."
Frenchie moved closer to the phone. "Then tell us again, but this time do not leave anything out."
Popclaw became frustrated. She kept saying she did not know where Compound V was made. M.M. reminded her that the video could be released at any time.
"You can keep saying that," M.M. told her. "Or you can tell us where the V goes before everyone sees what happened in that room."
Popclaw went quiet on the other end. Frenchie waited without taking the phone away from his ear.
"Please, listen," Popclaw said. "I don't know much. A-Train runs the Compound V to a noodle shop on Division."
Adam looked at M.M.
Popclaw continued before they could interrupt her. "Wherever he takes it is close to that shop. Every time he leaves with the V, he comes back with sesame noodles."
"Which shop?" M.M. asked.
Popclaw gave them the name and then told them the street on Division. She repeated the address when Frenchie made her say it again.
M.M. ended the call.
The four of them drove to the area Popclaw had named. M.M. stayed behind the wheel while Frenchie watched the noodle shop. Adam sat beside Hughie in the back and studied everyone who entered or left.
They waited until a man came out of the shop carrying a package. He moved around the side of the building instead of joining the people on the street.
Frenchie pointed toward him. "Noodle guy. He is moving."
The man stopped near another building. When his coat shifted, Adam saw a gun near his waist.
"He's armed," Adam said.
Hughie leaned forward to get a better look. The man checked the package once and kept moving without opening it. Frenchie watched his hands while M.M. waited for enough distance to form between them.
M.M. started the van and followed at a distance. The man went behind a supermarket and entered through a back door. M.M. parked away from the entrance, and everyone got out.
They crossed the remaining distance on foot.
Before the others moved inside, Adam stopped and focused on the area around them. His senses reached through the building and the nearby street. He could hear ordinary heartbeats. He did not sense anyone moving like a Supe.
He checked again because a hidden Supe could change the whole situation.
Adam looked at the team and raised his thumb.
The raised thumb told M.M. that no Supe was close enough for Adam to detect.
They entered through the back and found stairs leading underground. Frenchie moved first. M.M. followed him, while Adam stayed close enough to protect both of them. Hughie came down behind Adam.
The lower area connected to a storage space under the supermarket. They searched through it while following the route the armed man had taken.
Frenchie reached the other side first.
His eyes stopped on a room in the basement.
A girl was inside, locked behind a metal gate. She turned her head and looked straight at Frenchie.
Frenchie stopped.
The girl kept watching him from inside the room.
M.M. stepped closer, but a shout came from behind them.
"Don't move!"
Two men had entered with guns in their hands. Frenchie and M.M. turned toward them. Hughie froze near the stairs.
Inside the room, the girl stood up.
The first man raised his gun and fired.
Adam moved before the bullet reached Frenchie. He appeared in front of Frenchie and M.M. with both arms raised over his face.
More bullets struck Adam across his arms and chest. His synchronization had increased, and his body was far tougher than it had been when Butcher shot him. The bullets touched his skin and dropped straight to the floor.
The men kept firing.
Adam moved sideways while staying in front of the guns. The shooters turned with him, pulling their aim away from Frenchie and M.M.
At that moment, the girl burst through the gate. She crossed the room with one long jump and slammed into the first gunman.
Adam watched the attack. "She's pretty strong."