Page 93 of Hidden Chance

Best-case scenario was that they got the intel they needed without anyone knowing they were there. But they would do whatever it took to take these guys down.

Peter positioned himself at the door of the first room and nodded for Robby to enter. As soon as the room was cleared, they lowered their weapons. It was a large room with several desks and filing cabinets. Drawers were open, but everything was empty.

Robby moved his flashlight along the floor, then rana finger across the desk, checking for dust. “I don’t think it’s been long since they left,” he whispered.

Peter nodded and headed out of the room to check the next.

After finding that room empty except for a couple scraps of paper, Robby scratched his head. “This isn’t looking good.” He picked up one of the papers and looked it over.

“Anything useful?” Peter said.

“Nope.”

“I’m gonna call Jemi and ask her to look through the previous footage.”

“Do you think they knew we were coming?”

“That’s impossible.”

“You’re sure you can trust Su Su?”

“With my life. If someone tipped them off, it wasn’t her.”

“Maybe it’s a precaution. When their attempt on Hannah’s life was unsuccessful, maybe they thought they’d better play it safe, and now we’re too late.”

“Makes sense. If we’re lucky, there will be a clue on the tapes. If there is anything to be found, Jemi’ll spot it.”

“They couldn’t have gotten everything out the back. There isn’t enough room in that alley.”

“They could if they were only lugging paperwork and if they took their time. Looks like most of the furniture was left behind.” He shook his head and dialed, waiting while it rang, then rolled his eyes. “Voicemail. Hey, Jemi, it’s me. You guys sleeping on the job? Call me back. We’ve found nothing. I need you to look at thepast surveillance footage and see if you can spot anything. Talk soon.”

“I didn’t think they’d sleep until we got back.”

“We’re all pretty wiped out. I’m glad, actually. It’s nice knowing Jemi’s not pushing herself too hard.”

“What do we do now?”

“Let’s finish clearing the place out, just in case. Maybe we’ll catch a break. Then we’ll head back. We can take turns staring at a computer screen until something pops. Unless it doesn’t.”

“We’ll figure something out. I won’t leave Burma until we do.”

Robby stretched after he got out of the van. “This has been a long day.”

“I can take the first shift. I’ll go through a few hours while you get some sleep. Then, when my eyes start bugging out, you can jump in.”

“That’s if I can turn my brain off long enough to fall asleep,” he said, finishing off with a giant yawn.

“Doesn’t look like you’ll have any trouble.”

Peter patted Robby’s back as they approached the door, then drew his gun and jumped to the side. Robby immediately followed suit.

“What’s wrong?” Robby whispered.

Peter pointed at the door. It wasn’t shut all the way. He pushed it open and waited. When there was no response, Robby entered, and the two men fanned out.

Inside, it was quiet and dark. A small lamp lit onecorner of the room, but the shade was askew, casting long shadows across the floor. A pool of what looked like blood shimmered in the light. Robby moved in and crouched down to check it, then continued through the room with his stomach in a knot.

Broken wood was strewn everywhere, and most of the furniture had been torn to pieces.

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