Page 69 of Hidden Chance

“Do you think you hit any of them?” she whispered when several minutes went by without any more action.

“Probably. They weren’t expecting any armed resistance, but we’ll stay low until the police arrive.”

After several more tense minutes, the sirens brought relief.

“We’ll give them a minute to arrive, then I’ll clear out.”

“Shouldn’t we tell them what happened?”

He turned to her. “Yeah. You stay here, but don’t tell them anything beyond what happened tonight. Only share enough so they know to keep you safe. Don’t mention me or Burma or TreadCraft.”

“Wait. No. If you’re not staying, I’m not.”

“Hannah. Those guys are coming after you now. For whatever reason, they’ve decided you’re a threat, and that’s not going to change until we stop them.”

“I’ll be safe with you. I won’t be in the way. Please.”

He paused for a second, then said. “No. You need to stay here.”

“I won’t.”

“You’d make me tie you up?”

“Fine. I’ll stay, but I’ll tell them everything.”

“You’re not serious.”

“I am.”

“You’re blackmailing me to get your own way? But you’ll ruin the mission.”

“I’m trusting that you want this as much as I do. If I tell the police, they can look into it. I’ve got the evidence to give to them. They can get search warrants. They can look more deeply into what Henry’s been doing.”

“Hannah.”

“I’ve made up my mind, and it sounds like the police are very close now. You shouldn’t need me to tell youthis, but your best course of action is to take me with you. I won’t stay here.”

She could hear God’s warning voice but ignored it.

He shook his head. “Fine. Then you’re coming to D.C., but you’re staying there.”

Chapter 17

“What is this place?”Hannah asked when Robby opened the door to a small townhouse in the outer suburbs of the nation’s capital.

He walked to the end of the hall, checking the rooms before he finally stopped and answered her. “It’s a bit of everything. For you, it’s a safe house. But it has other uses. Mostly, we’re here to regroup.”

“Is this where we’re staying?”

“This is where you’re staying while I’m away, so make yourself comfortable.” He nodded toward a shabby-looking couch. “It looks—uh—well used, but it’s the most comfortable thing I’ve ever sat on.”

“Is this where you’re meeting your team? Do I get to meet them? You’ve barely said a word to me since we left my place.”

“That’s because I’m still figuring things out.”

“I thought you already did.”

“Yeah, well. My guys have been given another assignment.”

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