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Bal shook his head as he moved the drapes an inch to the side, to peer through the small window that looked out into the front courtyard. Moving closer to her, Bal gripped both her shoulders in his strong hands and peered directly into her eyes. “They have us surrounded, Gabe tried to tip me off but he was too late.”
Breathing quicker, Nayome’s eyes flicked to the door as a second round of knocking shook the frame. “Can we leave through the back?” She asked, not quite believing what she was suggesting.
“I spotted a car out back in the laneway. They’ve got both exits covered.”
“Well…I thought Gabe was handling this? How did they know I was here?” Nayome lashed out, accusingly.
Bal took it without flinching, trying to steady her with his hands squeezing her shoulders. “It’s my fault. I should have known not to take the risk. The invitation was in your correspondence.”
“Nayome, what the hell—” Nick’s strained voice interrupted them.
“Not now Nick,” Nayome snapped, feeling panicked.
“That’s enough of this,” Nick ground out, reaching for and swinging the door wide open before Bal could stop him.
“Nick, no—”
It was too late.
Two men in suits stood on the doorstep, badges held at the ready. Peering into the open door, Nayome recognized Agent Crawford, who smiled as he spotted her. “Mrs Miller, we have been looking for you.”
“Agent Crawford,” Nayome greeted, trying and failing to sound normal.
“Agent?” Nick sounded confused as he took in the two men on the doorstep and Nayome’s tight smile.
Bal leaned down, appearing to embrace her, and whispered in her ear. “Be strong. We will get you out.”
Nayome’s heart was beating triple time now as it became clear she would have to go with them. Gabe wasn’t here to clean up everyone’s memories, and there were witnesses everywhere. Nick and Cindy to name a few, as well as their neighbors who were gathering on doorsteps unabashedly. The sight of the two police vehicles who had come to back up the agents were creating a spectacle with their flashing lights.
“Am I in some kind of trouble, Agent Crawford?” Nayome asked hesitantly, stepping around Bal, and getting her first look at the official vehicles sandwiching the unmarked sedan on the street out front.
“If you would please come with us Miss Miller, we just have a few questions for you.”
“A few questions?” Nayome raised her eyes at the police vehicles.
“When we couldn’t find you at your home, and you stopped coming to work, we had to assume you fled.”
“Fled? How absurd. I called in sick to work—since when is that a crime, Agent?”
“Just protocol Miss Miller. If you come with us now, we can chalk it up to a misunderstanding.”
Nick paled, his eyes moving quickly between Agent Crawford and Nayome. His mouth was open, as if he was about to speak but hadn’t found any words. His facial expression remained the same as Nayome followed the Agents down the steps of the brownstone to the sidewalk, where they directed her into the back of the unmarked car. As she glanced back, Bal had followed her mostly down the steps, his stare intense as he caught her gaze. She thought he mouthed something to her,be strong, but she could have been mistaken.
Nayome felt cold as she settled into the backseat, the smooth leather interior shifting under her weight as she pulled on her seatbelt. At least they hadn’t led her out in cuffs, she thought, not even knowing if she was under arrest.
