AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re taking the side exit.” Steele led the way down the hall.
Joe nudged her forward so that she was between the two men. Her coat barely stretched over the extra layer of the vest. She supposed it was a good thing she’d been wearing it, and Joe, too, for that matter. Yet from the hole in the window, she could tell the shooter had been aiming for her head.
If she hadn’t gotten so frustrated with Joe’s attempt to keep her at arm’s length that she’d abruptly turned away from the window at that exact moment, she’d be dead.
She stumbled, but Joe caught her from behind. “Almost there,” he said encouragingly.
Managing to stay on her feet, she followed Steele outside. The SUV was parked close to the building. Steele stood near the back passenger door and helped her in.
Joe ran around to get into the passenger seat as Steele dropped the computer on the floorboard and slid behind the wheel. Seconds later, they were careening out of the parking lot and out onto the road.
For long moments, no one spoke. She stared at Joe’s profile, then abruptly frowned when she saw something dark along the side of his neck.
Was that blood?
“Joe, are you hit?” Amazingly, she didn’t feel sick or faint as she leaned forward to get a better look. “You’re bleeding.”
“I’m fine.” He reached up to touch the area. “It’s a scratch.”
“We need to take care of that.” She was proud of the steadiness of her tone.
“Later.” Joe dismissed her concern. “It’s more important to find a safe house.”
“I don’t understand how the City Central Hotel became compromised,” Steele said with obvious frustration. “I made sure I wasn’t followed.”
“We may have underestimated this guy,” Joe said with a sigh. “I’ve suspected military and/or law enforcement background. It could be he has decent access to intel.”
“This shouldn’t have happened.” Steele lightly pounded his fist on the steering wheel. “Rhy is going to flip out.”
“Don’t tell him,” Elly said. When Steele’s incredulous gaze met hers in the rearview mirror, she added, “Not yet. Let’s stay focused on our next steps.”
“Elly’s right,” Joe said. “I’ll call Brady. We need a safe house.”
“You know Rhy’s going to hear about it sooner rather than later,” Steele muttered. “Better to call him first.”
“I’ll do it.” Elly patted her pockets, relieved to find the disposable phone in her coat pocket. She entered Rhy’s number.
He answered on the second ring. “Elly? Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m with Joe and Steele. But you should know that the window of our hotel suite at the City Central Hotel was hit by gunfire. We’re all fine, though,” she added for extra emphasis.
“What in the world is going on?” Rhy demanded. “I want to talk to Joe.”
“He’s reaching out to Brady for a safe house,” she said calmly. “That’s why I’m calling you.”
“This is unbelievable,” Rhy said, still sounding upset. “I don’t understand why this perp isn’t in custody by now.”
“I wish he was too, but it sounds like several of the team members are out searching the area around the hotel.” She wasn’t sure what else to say to reassure her brother. “We’re doing everything we can, Rhy.”
“I know, I know.” She could imagine her brother running his hands through his short blond hair. “I’d really like to talk to Joe.”
She sighed. “Okay, hang on.”
Joe finished his call with Brady, then reached for her phone. “I’m here.” There was a pause, then, “I wish I could tell you how this happened, but I don’t know. We’ve been safe there for the past sixteen hours.”
Difficult to comprehend that this nightmare had only started Saturday evening. It seemed like she had been on the run from this guy for days instead of hours.
“I understand. Brady has arranged for an FBI safe house. We’re heading there now and will be in touch later.” Joe ended the call and handed the phone back to her. “Rhy is obviously upset, but he’s glad we’re getting a safe house from Brady.”
