“Corridor’s clear,” Draco reported from his position at the door.
Crusher checked his watch. Two minutes could make or break their escape attempt.
He pushed the button again and spoke into the mic. “It’s now or never. Wrap it up. If you have to, leave it. It’s not worth risking your lives. Let’s go.”
Still, the two worked at the box. Marta had to be the one with her hands in the gloves, working with whatever was in the protective container. The woman remained focused on what she was doing.
Finally, she pulled her hands out of the built-in gloves, opened a side door, and removed a container.
“Go,” she said to the other person, hustling her toward the room where Crusher and Draco were waiting. They stopped short of the door and entered a pass-through area, where they dropped the container into a pouch, sealed it, and then stripped off their PPE.
Crusher’s heart swelled as Marta pulled the hood off her head and shook out her auburn hair. She was alive, okay and the most beautiful scientist he’d ever known. She smiled at him through the glass as she stepped out of the coveralls and peeled off her gloves.
Once they were stripped down to their regular clothing, Marta and Cate opened the door and stepped into the staging area with Crusher and Darco.
Marta, carrying the pouch in one hand, wrapped her other arm around Crusher’s waist and pressed her cheek into his chest. “I knew you’d come.”
He touched his lips to her hair. “I promised that if you weren’t okay, I’d find you and make it okay. I keep my promises.”
“Draco?” The other woman’s voice drew Crusher’s attention from Marta.
A pretty blonde with gray-blue eyes, much like Devon Marsh’s, stared with wide eyes at Draco.
Draco turned to face her, his lips curling slightly on the corners. “Cate.”
Cate Marsh’s brow furrowed. “How are you here? I thought you’d moved to Texas.”
His lips pressed together. “Long story.” He glanced through the crack in the door. “We need to get out of here before we’re discovered.”
As a reminder, the guard on the floor stirred and moaned.
“Back the way we came?” Draco asked Crusher.
“Yes.” Crusher grabbed Marta’s hand. “Ready?”
She held up the pouch. “I am now.”
“The antiviral?” Crusher asked.
She nodded. “Finished just in time. Let’s get out of here.”
Draco checked the hallway. “I’ll lead the way and wave you through.” He shot a glance back at Cate. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I am now.”
With one last look in Cate’s direction, Draco stepped out into the hallway and retrieved one of the mops he’d discarded in the struggle with the guard. He sprinted to a T-junction in the hallway and peered around the corner. A moment later, he waved for them to follow.
Cate took off at a quiet run, followed by Marta.
Crusher brought up the rear, snagging the other mop from the floor.
Once they caught up, Draco moved forward again. Only two more corridors until they reached the one with the exit door.
So far, no one had tried to stop them. No alarms had been set off. Just a few more steps, and they’d emerge into the parking lot. They’d load the ladies into the back of the truck and have them hide behind the coveralls hanging on hooks. Hopefully, the gate guards wouldn’t stop the truck to inspect it as it left the property.
A shout sounded behind Crusher. He spun to find a guard barreling toward them, reaching for the gun in his holster.
“Run!” Crusher pushed Marta in front of him. “Get out of here. I’ll take care of him.”
