Winter Rain, part 17
Conlan’s objection is instantaneous. “Tiergan! No! What are you doing?”
I step into a restaurant entryway and pretend to study the menu, my back to intersection. It won’t be long. The reflection should give me a good look at them.
“Something’s up, Conlan,” I plead. “I don’t know what it is, but something’s not right.”
“That’s not your call!” It’s hard to yell through a phone while walking down a busy street, but he’s managing it. “Get back out in front, now!” He’s angry, but there’s more to it.
He’s also scared.
I don’t know what I’m expecting to find. I don’t even know that this isn’t just stupid, childish impatience. But I can’t help it. Something feels wrong. They’re too conspicious, too confident, too direct. Why are these people even on foot? If they really are going all the way to Old Town, why aren’t they in a car?
“Whatever you guys are going to do, do it now,” Tara growls.
Truth is, I’m probably screwing over a friend.
But at least he can blame me. If he weren’t saddled with the responsibility for the op, he’d be thinking the same thing as me. I wish Tara could weigh in, but she’s not in a position to have a conversation, presently.
And she’ll back my play, either way.
“Sorry, Conlan.”
“Approaching!” Tara’s voice is quiet, but urgent.
“Tiergan!” Conlan cries. But it’s too late, and he knows it. “Fuuuuck!”
The lead bodyguard enters the intersection. He really is built like a house! Man. Good thing we aren’t trying to take him down.
He’s careful, too. Checking both directions. His eyes are on my back. I actually study the menu, now. Eye contact would be a dead giveaway.
And he’s past. I exhale slowly.
And she enters the intersection. Her ponytail bobs with her gait. She’s very confident, put together. The duffle swings heavily past her leg. But it’s crumpled. Like it’s mostly empty.
Her eyes scrape towards me and we meet in the glass.
Shit! I know her.
A smile tugs at her face, her eyes locked on mine — recognition, for sure. And a hint of glee.
She breaks contact and starts walking faster.
Fuck!
Conlan’s going to kill me.
Her second guard passes. Still trying to be casual, he barely looks around at all.
I force myself to breathe while he crosses the street. But it won’t save me for long.
“Guys,” I say, at last, “we’ve got a problem.
“And I’ve been made.”
What does “I’ve been made” mean?
Who is this mystery woman, hmmmmmmmm . . . ..
“made” = “spotted, noticed, recognized” — I’ve been trying to use some pop culture language in the story to keep it feeling current. If more people complain, though, perhaps I’ll have to admit to watching the wrong movies, and abandon my plan.
I think I’ve seen some of those same movies, I remembered that term from somewhere.
Uh oh, this can’t be good. Very good story so far
Hi Walker — thanks.
Bacchante: whew!
Nice. I just found this story, and will definitely have to make a point of checking back. The chapters are short but a very nice size to get a few important bits of plot across, and regular, daily updates are a -good- thing.
Being “made” is quite a common phrase in any sort of spy book, from James Bond through Jason Bourne through Maxwell Smart. I haven’t noticed any problems with the vocabulary yet. If you do, post, and helpful readers or authors are sure to speak up
Hey Vercin — good to have you on board. I’ve occasionally worried about the size of the eps, but it’s about all I can write in an hour or so, and I’ve got way too much other stuff to do to spend more time than that. So, it will have to do. :-) I hope I can live up to your expectations.
“I’ve been made” made sense to me. The discussion akes me wonder about the origin of the phrase though.
Er . . . ”makes me wonder” (if I can write . . . ).
What I found troublesome while writing it is that “made” is also used in mobster movies to refer to a status level — wherein you can’t be killed without permission from a boss. Was a little concerned that the word would be read with the wrong meaning. Anyway, I’m glad it was mostly understood.
“I’ve been made,” I say. “Mwuah ha ha ha ha! Now NO ONE can stop me. I am the most powerful Jedi in the universe!”
Wait . . .
Excellent