Page 111 of Sinner's Salvation

“It sounds like they’ve known for a long time,” Evan pointed out to her. “Just like me, and no one has approached or done anything until Ledger.”

“But why would they stay silent? Why wouldn’t they try to use what they know to gain money or power?”

“If all these guys were part of the Ghost Army, maybe they didn’t care about those things more than they cared about their integrity. Those guys had a code of honor, and information about the Ghost Army wasn’t declassified until the mid-1990s. So, they had to keep their mouths shut until at least that long.”

“Do you think he’s going to let us go free?” she asked Evan. “Or will we end up in the same place we started in with Ledger?”

“I think he’s going to make us an offer.”

“What kind of offer?”

“Intelligence gathering. Your situation is unique in a lot of ways. You’re a diplomat, you run a large family like it’s an international corporation, and you’re a financial wizard. I can see him wanting your insights on a lot of things.”

“I have tried to give men advice over the years,” she said dryly. “It’s never received with the promised enthusiasm.”

Evan thought about that for a second. “Yeah, that tracks. Most successful men in history have been conquerors, tyrants, and dictators. None of whom are interested in advice from anyone.”

“We will have to proceed carefully.”

The sound of footsteps coming closer grabbed Evan’s attention. He turned to find Major Marek returning, a bag in one hand. “Okay, here are some clothes.” He crouched down. “Here’s what’s going to happen next. We’re going to join the rest of the soldiers at the station behind me. Evan you’re fine as you are. Anna, you’re going to join the medics. The uniform in the bag has all the correct insignia. Grab one of the bags of medical supplies when we hit the platform.”

“Are there only soldiers waiting on the platform?” she asked.

“No, there are some other law enforcement types. FBI and police. My team will keep them distracted as we reach the platform.”

“Where are we going after that?” Evan asked.

Marek smiled. “The best delicatessen in the city. I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving.” He stood. “I’ll give you some time to change.” He walked away and joined one of the men standing guard around them.

Anna opened the bag and dug around in it. She pulled out a pair of pants. Urban camo. She changed quickly.

“Is everything where it’s supposed to be?” she asked Evan.

He examined her. “Yup, and you look sexy as hell in uniform. Mind you, you look sexy all the time.”

She smiled. “Men never change.” She put her bloody clothes in the bag. “Let’s go.”

They walked toward Marek. He saw them coming and joined them. With one hand gesture, the soldiers guarding them formed up behind them in two rows.

“Anna on the right. Evan, you can walk on her left. I’m point. Let’s roll.” He nodded at one of the soldiers. The man trotted ahead of them, reaching the platform in time to call everyone there to come in for a debriefing.

By the time their group reached the platform, there was no one around the first aid supplies and no one blocking the way out.

Anna and the men in her column diverted to pick up the bags of supplies, shouldered them, then rejoined the other column again. As a group, they marched toward the exit, through the turnstiles, and up the escalators.

Marek turned to address them. “Transportation is waiting for us on the street. An SUV and a bus.” He looked at Evan and Anna. “You two, you’re with me in the SUV.”

“Is the area cordoned off?” Evan asked.

“Yes. The Subway is shut down until we can get it cleaned up.”

They reached street level and found the area blocked off with tape and a few street cops. Their group of four, Marek, Evan, Anna, and their driver, headed for the SUV while the rest of the soldiers went to the bus. Both vehicles were black with tinted windows.

Anna gave her first aid bag to the driver who took it from her and put it in the back. Evan got in first to take the window seat. As soon as everyone was in, the driver shut the doors and got in.

“We’re going to the deli,” Marek said to the driver.

The SUV pulled away from the curb. They went deeper into the city, taking a circuitous loop that eventually dropped them outside a small delicatessen located in a narrow alley only a couple of blocks off Times Square.

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