Page 51 of Sinner's Salvation

“Or you could just take a long time to get there,” Baz said. “Traffic is terrible, and you might get distracted by a good restaurant.”

Evan burst out laughing. “You haven’t changed much. Still trying to find a loophole or outright ignoring orders.”

“What are we doing right now?” Nika asked.

“It’s time to get rid of anything that can track your position,” Baz said. “Turn your phones off and leave them on the table. Then we’ll get out of here.”

Everyone followed Baz’s order, and they left the bar, their phones sitting in a loose pile on the table.

***

Homeland Security SecretaryMatthew Ledger entered the hospital through a staff-only entrance and made his way with two of his people to his brother’s cubical in the emergency room.

He was lying on a bed, his suit scorched, torn, and blackened, with an oxygen mask over his face.

Gerry pulled the mask off as soon as the curtain was closed around them. “Matt, there is a very dangerous woman on the—”

“Shut. Up.” Matthew said. He gave his brother another once over and sneered. “You fucked up, Gerry. You fucked up big time.”

“But—”

“She is a diplomat and she was with an FBI agent when you decided to conduct your little experiment.”

Gerry closed his mouth and swallowed hard. “Someone blew up the building we were in. I think it was that Army interrogator.”

Matthew considered it. “That’s enough to arrest some people.” He smiled. “So go arrest them.”

“But,” Gerry began.

“Now, Gerry, before I arrest you for incompetence.” Matthew strode out of the hospital. Once in his car, he called his father.

“Gerry really stuck his foot in it this time.”

“At least we know the intelligence from my Italian friends is at least partially accurate. This is just the kind of foreign power influence and meddling I want to bring to the Senate’s attention.”

“Do you really want Gerry to be the face of this investigation?”

“For now. Some of the information we’ve received is too fantastical to be believed. If anything laughable becomes public, Gerry will take the fall.”

***

It was a tight fitto get five people into Baz’s cab, but they managed by putting Brian in the back seat with Anna and Nika. Baz got them moving, but they hadn’t gone two blocks when a convoy of four black SUVs passed them going in the opposite direction. No lights or sirens, but they were definitely hauling ass.

“What did I tell you?” Baz asked.

No one answered him.

Police lights ahead were getting closer and closer. No sirens, but they were traveling fast, too. Two NYPD cars zipped by them first, then came a SWAT truck.

“They think we’re still at the bar,” Brian said, in a sad tone. “They’re prepared for a goddamn shoot out.”

“The FBI beat the NYPD to the scene,” Nika said. “Or was it Homeland Security?”

“Hard to say,” Evan said, looking for more flashing lights in the distance. “But I think the FBI have a greater chance at being able to roll at a moment’s notice.”

“You look upset,” Anna said.

Evan thought she was talking to Nika, but when he turned around, he found Anna looking at Brian.

---