Max heard Martin on the phone. She wasn't sure who he was talking to, but she really hoped it was the pizza delivery boy.
"All right, then it is. I'll see you there."
Martin walked into the room, holding his phone in one hand and the gun in the other. He smiled down at Max then sat back down in the chair he had brought in. He set the phone on the floor and placed the gun in his lap with one hand covering it.
"I'm sure you heard everything."
She shrugged. "I heard some things."
"I should be able to take you there without much trouble." Martin said and glanced at his watch. "The serum should be effective for a few more hours."
"So, what do you get for placing me back in the arms of Mangelo, huh? What sort of good little soldier awards do you get for helping my dear old dad out?" Max glared at him.
Martin chuckled. "Just the satisfaction of helping my country, of doing something for this world... and a handsome paycheck, just like I've been getting for my other work."
"You won't get away with it, you know. The police are closing in on you." Max knew that the police had absolutely no clue about Martin's identity, but she figured that putting him in a bit of a panic couldn't hurt. He might make a mistake or two.
"That's an interesting take on the situation." Martin said slowly. "It's a pity it is totally and completely wrong. I know what I have - or haven't - left behind. Besides, they won't be able to keep me for long."
Max scoffed. "If you think Lydecker's going to bother pulling your ass out of jail, you're nuts. He'll let you rot in there. He'd let his own mother rot in jail if it kept Manticore under wraps, so what makes you think he'd bother to get you out?"
Martin snarled, "I could bury him."
"What would your commanders say now?" Max said quietly, with a smirk. "You just betrayed information to your enemy."
"I think you're wrong."
"I think the deep seeded, secret hatred is a big giveaway." Max said. "You don't trust him. If you were Manticore, they would be so disappointed in you."
"You seem to believe that you are all knowing." Martin shook his head. "A soldier should always realize that the enemy will have other tricks up their sleeves."
"Well," Max smirked. "Then you caught a girl who's wearing layers."
* * *
Logan's cellphone rang and he answered it. "Matt?"
"Yeah, Logan, we'll be there soon."