Riders
Alone with her thoughts, he sipped his coffee in the quiet lunch room of Carrier’s Inc.
—Martin? Are you there? Are you ready?
—In a second, Angie.
—Come on. It’s almost time.
—I just got here. Give me some time to become civil.
—Okay. Don’t be long.
He could almost feel her pout.
—I won’t.
—And don’t drink so much coffee. It’s bad for you.
—Mind your own business, you little brat.
Martin heard her happy laugh in his head, then she broke the connection. He looked around the room. There were three or four other carriers, none of them speaking or moving. They were preparing themselves for their assignments.
“Was that a rider?”
He turned his head to see Kate.
“It’s Angie,” he said. “I’m due to pick her up in a few minutes.”
Scowling, Kate put her tray down, sat across fr
