Chapter 116.
The black sports utility vehicle glided quietly down the smooth highway that wound its way towards City D, slicing through great expanses of countryside and early morning mist. Inside the vehicle, the mood was peaceful, the silence punctuated by gentle instrumental music drifting from the in-car speakers. Outside, the sun was just beginning to rise, bathing the horizon in warm golden light.
Augustin was driving, eyes on the road, hands steady. His normally keen expression had relaxed slightly. Beside him in the front passenger seat was Adrian, wrapped in a cream cashmere sweater, scrolling through something on his tablet — notes, security feeds, coordinates.
In the rear seat, Ethan sat with the one Bluetooth earbud inserted and the other in its case, his tablet perched on his knees. He was on a video conference call, smiling and mumbling quick affirmations to a line of suited men on the screen.
They were on their way to City D on a mission — not any mission, but one to finally track down Wryn Hudel. Wryn, Wuner Hudel’s illegitimate son, had been working in the background for years, passing information to their foes like a rat hiding in their own walls. His path had brought them here, and now it was time to take care of him.
But first. a little morning chat.
Adrian looked up from his screen and turned to Augustin. "So. do we stop at that one place close to City D’s edges? The one serving dumplings the size of fists?"
Augustin laughed, still focusing on the road. "If you still recall that place, I’m impressed. That was, what, two months back?"
"Three," Adrian corrected, smiling. "And I still have dreams about those scallion pancakes."
"You and your food memory," Augustin teased, shaking his head affectionately. "Leclair’s the same, though. He always knows where we had the best salmon, even if it’s halfway across the country."
Adrian snorted. "Ironic. Ethan only remembers food if it’s accompanied by a spreadsheet or if I spoon-feed it to him."
Augustin laughed, finally shooting a quick glance at Adrian before looking back at the road. "That sounds like him. I once caught Leclair making a full meal, and Ethan came in, smelled it once, and said, ’Ah. Protein and carbs at a 1:3 ratio. Balanced.’ Like he was doing math instead of eating."
Adrian groaned theatrically. "Don’t even mention it. I baked a cake last week, and Ethan was like, ’That’s one slice too much glucose, love. Do you want me to put it in our health tracker sheet?’"