Hostile Takeover ? Jake Riley | ? [book 1]

5~ I Will Never Be Convenient

Jake slightly nodded, "Well... it's appreciated,"

While they continued to talk, Jenna noticed one of the doctor's men were looking at her. No, not just looking, more like staring. He clearly had never heard of subtly.

"Hey, buddy. You lose something over here?" she asked him.

"Oh, don't mind Emmanuel. He's not the best at social etiquette," Cannerts said. Emmanuel tore his gaze away from Jenna and continued to load the boxes.

"Clearly," Jenna muttered under her breath.

"Vic, maybe you could help us out. In your opinion, where do you think would be an ideal spot to build a bomb?" Lex asked.

"No bigger than a shoe!" Jenna quipped. Lex and Jake glared at her. Dr. Cannerts scratched his head in thought.

"Well, you have to take in all possible factors. What materials they use, to be more precise," he said.

"Dr. Tate compared it to an epoxy. He mixed a clear liquid with a red one," Jake said. Cannerts shook his head.

"I'm sorry gentlemen, I'm afraid I can't help you. My knowledge of bio-engineering isn't the best," he replied.

"Thank you anyway, doctor. We have to be on our way, though," Lex said.

"Of course, a policeman's job is never done," he gave them a friendly smile, "I'll let you carry on, and good luck,"

They thanked him and started on their way, but Cannerts quickly grabbed Jake's arm before he could leave, "Riley, I don't mean to pry, but she doesn't look like a police officer," he pointed to Jenna, who was already a few steps ahead with Lex.

"She's not, Vic," Jake replied, "It's... it's complicated,"

Luckily, the doctor didn't press on, "I understand. By the way, I'm sorry about your loss," he said.

"My loss?" Jake asked.

"The officer killed earlier this afternoon? I heard it over a scanner during my escort in. Was he a friend of yours?" he was talking about Max. All of the sudden, it seemed like everyone wanted to talk about it, but Jake didn't.

He needed to forget.

"On-the-job trainee. Wrong place, wrong time," he replied. Cannerts gave him a small smile.

"Well, he was lucky to have you to train him," he said. No, he wasn't, Jake thought.

"Thanks, Victor. Good luck,"

"You too, Jake. You too,"

Soon, the cityscape slowly turned into a suburban neighborhood. The blocks were lined with abandoned cars, empty parks, and silent school grounds. It gave Jake the chills, not just because of the silence, but because this neighborhood was eerily familiar to his own.

Suddenly, they heard the distinct sound of glass shattering. Jake and Lex turned their weapons towards the red and white school house; with its shattered windows and busted door. Someone had broken in.

"Do we go in?" Jenna asked.

"We do, you stay here," Lex replied.

"Screw you guys, I'm not staying here on my own," she said, fear-stricken. Jake rolled his eyes.

"Follow us, but be very quiet," he told her. She zipped her fingers across her lips to show her compliance. They entered the empty school ground, littered with empty snack wrappers and basketballs. The swing set was still blowing freely with the afternoon breeze; to the unknowing it, it seemed to be just a regular after-school playground.