Page 94 of Sinner's Salvation

“New girl,” the first one said, shoving her into the room. “Clark, stay here with her.”

A light came on, bright white light. The man who’d been observing pointed it at the floor, revealing the source as his cellphone.

The door closed behind her.

She stepped forward, extending the cups of coffee in his direction. “I brought coffee.”

He seemed to study her. “Have we met?”

“I don’t think so,” she said. “This is my first day on the job. Maybe you saw me earlier?” She waggled the drink carrier. “Do you want one? Or should I put these down anywhere special?”

He reached out, took one of the cups, and sipped. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She pointed at the small table where the device recording the interrogation in the next room sat on. “Can I put this down here?”

He shrugged. “Should be fine.”

She moved toward the table.

The door to the interrogation room on the other side of the glass burst open and a figure dressed in dark clothes was briefly outlined by the red emergency light. He rushed inside the room, some kind of fancy military grade rifle in his hands.

Anna froze, staring.

This was unexpected.

“Shit,” the agent in the room with her said, then he ran for the connecting door and jerked it open.

She followed him, still carrying three coffees. She was only a few steps behind him, so she heard him shout at the newcomer, telling him to drop his weapon.

Anna came up behind him, reached around with her free hand, and jerked his hands up.

The man with the rifle, thrust the butt into the agent’s gut. The agent grunted and folded over.

“What are you doing here?” Evan demanded.

She pulled the gun out of the agent’s hand and then kneed him in the face. “I brought coffee.”

“Oh, well,” Evan said, sarcasm dripping off his words. “That explains everything.” He grabbed the agent and zip-tied his hands together behind his back.

“I’ll take some,” Brian said, his voice drowsy, his words slurred.

Anna nearly tripped over the man on the floor. He groaned, but didn’t try to get up. She handed Brian one of the drinks, put down the carrier, and snapped the handcuff off his wrist. “Drink this while we get out of here. You need the caffeine.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I thought you were going to stay where it was safe,” Evan hissed at her as he checked the hallway. He waved at her and Brian to follow him.

“The situation changed. The hotel was invaded by Homeland again, Mason and Magnus were taken into custody. I believe they were going to go after Bazyli as well, but with the NYPD guarding Nika, I’m not sure what’s going on there.”

Evan led her and Brian farther down the hallway until they reached a t-intersection. He turned them left. “So we have nowhere safe to go?”

“I didn’t say that. I had some help getting into this building.”

He snorted. “I don’t think I want to know what kind of help you had.”

Ahead of them there was a red exit sign hanging over a door.

“Where does this doorway open onto?” she asked.

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