Page 98 of Hard Rain

Knox?

Nope.

The man was showboating.

“Knox.”

Axel didn’t even raise his voice, but Knox’s head snapped up, his attention immediately shifting to him.

“Where’s Beth?”

Knox stepped aside, revealing Beth’s petite frame behind him.

Axel jerked his head toward the exit.

“You coming or taking an Uber?”

“We’re coming!” Beth answered, grabbing Knox by the arm and pulling him away from his growing fan club.

The automatic doors slid open and cool October air hit him, carrying the faint smell of salt and jet fuel.

Crowded airport or empty forest, his eyes always found Whip first.

Always had.

The black government van waited at the curb, and within minutes, Boone had them loaded and headed downtown.

Forty minutes later…

They dropped their shit at the hotel and headed for the federal courthouse.

The van rolled into the secured garage beneath the building.

Axel climbed out, shrugged into his jacket, and followed Boone toward the elevators.

The doors opened onto a bullpen already in motion.

Phones rang.

Two prisoners shuffled past in waist chains.

Deputies moved around them without missing a step.

FBI agents disappeared through another doorway.

His eyes swept the area on instinct.

Exits.

Interview rooms.

Holding cells.

Elevators.

Nobody stood around watching somebody else work.

Axel appreciated that.