In Irina's Cards (The Variant Conspiracy #1) by Christine Hart Page B

the many people who rely on Innoviro for discretion. I think you are our best hope to find him, and if you do, I think we can solve more than one mystery.”
    Ivan stopped talking and we stared at each other for a long moment. His face was as motionless as a mask. An artist’s rendition of fortitude. I broke eye contact and looked around the alley, but we were still alone.
    “I don’t know what to say. I totally understand why you’re asking, but I get the what part too and that’s pretty scary. I’ve never done any regular drugs, never mind mind-altering stuff. I mean, I’ve smoked a little weed, but this is different.” I couldn’t bring myself to confess that I’d recently contemplated this exact exchange of resources between me and Innoviro.
    “I know this is huge and that you’re already overwhelmed. Take some time and think about it. Know that your job is not at stake. If you decide not to take the drug, we’ll still keep trying. I’m grateful for whatever help you can offer.”
    I nodded, thanked him, and walked slowly out towards the street noise of Chinatown. I wasn’t worried that he would change his mind about giving me time off, but it felt odd. I had only the car dealership to compare as an employment situation and they were as different as night and day in so many ways. Most people wouldn’t have sent me off to think just because things got stressful. Then again, I didn’t exactly have much experience with decent employers.
    My last boss had been arrested for theft and fraud. Lucky for me, the police decided I was an innocent dupe during the investigation, or Darryl never would have let me hear the end of it. Also lucky for me, both my mom and Darryl had been majorly supportive until my unemployment lasted way too long, at least according to them. I smiled at my luck in jumping from one end of the workplace quality spectrum to the other.
    I started walking up the hill, in the direction of my old motel room, contemplating how I could make the most of a day off. I was already downtown, so shopping was an easy treat. I slowed my pace to think. I went in the direction of the old service station where I’d been attacked. Maybe I had something useful to do today after all. I started walking faster and faster as I hit the intersection ahead, turned right, crossed again left, and nearly speed-marching, I covered the parking lot in only a handful of paces.
    I rounded the corner to the alley headfirst with my heart thudding between my ears. The attack and ensuing fear stayed fresh like a wound pulled open. I slapped my hand onto the peeling paint of the brick wall willed myself to stand still. I let the attack play back in my mind, begging the wall for an image of the man–or thing–I couldn’t see with my naked eyes. Nothing came.
    A gust of chilly ocean air cut through the alley and I flinched. The sound of a rumbling old engine got louder and an old pickup truck pulled into the alley. A grizzled mechanic yelled at me to get out of the way as his rig passed a few feet behind me. He parked by a garage door and I heard the creak-squeak of his rusty door. Panic took over and I bolted back towards Innoviro.
    As soon as I got back among the Chinatown pedestrians, I slowed my pace. Another reason to re-appear at Innoviro suddenly hit me. Mice! I’d forgotten Chester’s weekly supply and he was due for another feeding today. I veered over to the pet store, a minor detour on my way back to the office. In spite of the security at my apartment, I felt safer at Innoviro, even though I knew the truck driver wasn’t my assailant. For starters, he wasn’t at least seven feet tall.
    Walking down the street with living food items bothered me less than it had the first time. I smirked at my diminishing remorse about their fate. Ilya still had my guilt’s attention at the moment, so someone else would have to mourn the mice. I swung open the main door, cradling the box in my other hand as I maneuvered through the