Zoe entered the address for Citadel Management Inc at W 37th St in Manhattan. Capones was in the 240 block of 5th Ave in Brooklyn. Her GPS showed Zoe that it would be at least a 35-minute drive and that the FDR was a toll road. She groaned as she exited the restaurant. It didn’t seem she would ever get ahead.

Zoe was pleased that nobody had attempted to mess with her new baby or helmet. She deactivated the security system and gazed fondly at her GT4. She loved her Triple Black. She mounted the motorcycle and put on her helmet. She checked the address for Nucky’s associate and found that his apartment complex was on Columbus Avenue, which was another 30-minute drive from W 37th.

“I really wish I would have bought a bag or saddlebags yesterday. This route runs right by Central Park. I could have taken a nice run in the park!” Zoe lamented to herself. “Oh well. I still get to enjoy the ride provided traffic isn’t at a standstill.”

Archangel twinged an alert. Zoe turned her head and saw Jimmy and Tommy approaching from the car Jimmy used.

“Hi guys!” she greeted the duo.

“Hey cousin.”

“Morning Zoe.”

“Leaving already?” Jimmy asked.

“Yeah. Tony and Nucky wants me to make a run to Manhattan and drop off some contracts at a property management firm.”

“That’ll probably be a 40-minute ride in bumper-to-bumper traffic,” Tommy said.

“Taking the FDR?” Jimmy asked.

“Yep. My GPS says it’s the fastest route.”

“Got toll fare?” Jimmy asked.

“Yeah. How much is it?”

“You didn’t pay attention when we drove into Manhattan yesterday?”

“No Tommy. I didn’t.”

“You can look it up,” Tommy replied.

“You two could be nice and you just tell me,” Zoe said favoring them with a smile.

“Can’t see your smile because of the helmet,” Tommy said.

“I know,” Zoe replied cheerfully.

“The toll is 10 credits,” Jimmy finally said.

“That’s one way,” Tommy added grinning at her.

“That’s ridiculous!”

“Robbery is a better term,” Jimmy said.

“Get an E-Z Pass,” Tommy suggested. “That’s what we use.”

“I take it the pass is some sort of tag,” Zoe said.

“Pretty much. It’s added to your public profile and the toll booths will let you through as long as you have an active one.”

“How much is a pass?”

“500 credits a year plus 25 more in fees,” Tommy answered. “As your cousin said, robbery.”

“It’s still cheaper than paying all the tolls,” Jimmy said. “At least until they jack up the rates again.”

“Yeah, it’s been a year since that happened, so we’re due for another increase,” Tommy complained. “Zoe, are you paying attention?”

“Not really. I’m buying an E-Z Pass. I could just slice one instead.”

“The first thing you just said is smart. The second part is not smart,” Jimmy replied.

“The last slicer that did so is serving 50 years in the pen,” Tommy added.

“That’s not just stealing from the city, it’s stealing from the corps,” Jimmy said. “The big ones all get a cut.”

“Alright. I got the pass,” Zoe said as she lowered her face shield. She slipped on her gloves and started her GT4. The throaty triple growl greeted her. “I do love that sound! Bye guys.”

“Maybe I should get a bike instead of a car,” Jimmy mused.

“Me too. I suggest getting the car first though. That way you have something to take the girls around in when it rains,” Tommy replied as they watched Zoe ride away. “Then get the motorcycle for when you just want some alone time or have a girl squeeze you from behind.”

“Sound advice,” Jimmy said.

“Yep. Let’s go in and see what Tony and Nucky got planned for us to do today.”

*

Traffic wasn’t bad and Zoe enjoyed the ride until she got to the 478. There traffic slowed to a crawl.

“Must be rush hour,” Zoe said to herself. Archangel picked up cameras at every streetlight, corner building, and telephone pole. She found that name funny as those poles hadn’t been used for phone service in years even in rural areas like where she grew up. Zoe also noticed a few drones flying over traffic as well.

She decided to slice into the traffic camera network because there was just enough room for a motorcycle or bicycle to pass between cars, even if both acts were illegal. Aperture made short work of an overhead drone’s firewall and ICE. Zoe started writing commands to hide or blur her on camera. If there were any cops on the street, they would still see her though. Traffic in the lane moved up about half a car length.

“Nice bike,” a voice said from her left. Zoe looked over and saw a cab beside her. She really hadn’t paid attention to the cars other than making sure they weren’t too close. The passenger was the one addressing her.

“Thanks.”

“That bike looks like it’s too much for a little thing like you,” he said.

“Nope,” Zoe replied patting her bike. “Her 165 horsepower 2500cc engine is just right.”

“You know if you really want something pow…” the man’s voice faded as Zoe revved up the engine drowning him out.

Zoe grinned as she checked another drone that was flying overhead as well as the pole mounted camera nearby. She was blurred out in both. Her commands had worked.

“Sorry, can’t hear you,” Zoe said to the man tapping the side of her helmet.

“I said,” the man tried again raising his voice only for Zoe to rev the bike again.

“What?”

“I said,” the man began once more raising his voice louder only to fall silent as Zoe sped away between cars. Zoe grinned as her rearview camera picked up the cab driver laughing as his passenger cursed.

*

Zoe parked found a motorcycle parking garage on 38th St. It was privately owned, so she sliced her way in to save some credits. She wasn’t going to pay 20 credits to park for an hour. Walking over to 37th and dropping off the data shouldn’t even take half an hour. Kunoichi made quick work of the basic and almost nonexistent garage security.

“I probably could have sliced that system with a 50-year-old desktop,” Zoe muttered as she used Illusion to copy another rider’s profile and used his parking pass as he drove away. She walked out of the garage and a few minutes later found herself in front of Citadel Management’s office.

Zoe entered and looked around. The designer must have been going for a minimalist look as there wasn’t much in the way of decorations or furniture in the lobby. The receptionist sat behind an enclosed partition. The beautiful woman looked like an elf with a straight nose, large eyes, and pointy ears sticking out of her long blonde hair.

“Hi. How may I assist you?” the receptionist asked as Zoe stopped in front of her desk. She flashed Zoe a dazzling smile too. Zoe didn’t respond. The smile became more knowing. “First time seeing an elf?”

“Yes. Sorry about staring!”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m used to it and frankly, love the attention. So, what brings you to Citadel Management Incorporated?”

“I’m Zoe and I have a data delivery from Riccardo Capone for your offices.”

“Ah. We’ve been waiting for those contracts. I can take delivery,” the receptionist said. “Send me your credentials.”

“Uh…I don’t have any. I just started working for Mr Capone today,” Zoe replied.

“In that case, send me your profile,” the elf said. Zoe did so. A couple of minutes later, the woman nodded before standing and picked up a cord. She handed it to Zoe, who plugged it in. After running a security check, she sent the data. After a moment, the job was done. The receptionist confirmed delivery of the contracts. “All done. Have a nice day.”

“Thanks. Um, is Central Park West the quickest way to get to Columbus Square from here?”

“New to the city and working as a courier?”

“Yeah. I got lucky.”

“I’ll stick to office work. Fighting traffic throughout the day is not my idea of fun.”

“Oh. But riding my GT4 is a total joy.”

“Motorcycle?” the other woman asked. Zoe nodded. “Maybe I’ll ride one eventually, but they are not my cup of tea.”

“I didn’t think a bike would be for me either before I saw a courier when I first arrived. I loved how they zipped in and out of traffic. My baby’s purr is just something I love.”

“Purr?”

“The growl of my bike’s engine.”

“Ah. Still, not for me.”

“Unto each their own,” Zoe replied.

“Indeed. And yeah, Central Park West will be the quickest route.”

“Thanks again. I hope you have a good day too!”