Page 6 of Shadow Operative

Did this belong to the killer? Had it been a woman?

Gage knew one thing for certain.

He’d find the person who did this to his friend and make him—or her—pay . . . if it was the last thing that he did.

chapter

two

Just as Niahad veered from the elevator toward the stairs, she’d heard the elevator ding in the distance.

Had someone been going to Rob’s place?

The police? Had someone heard something and called them?

Would the cops realize Nia had been there, chase her down, and arrest her?

Or was it the killer returning to finish what he’d started?

She rushed down the steps, nearly tripping she moved so quickly. She caught herself on the railing before continuing downward.

Her limbs trembled uncontrollably.

Get a grip, Nia. No one should know you were there.

Except . . .

What if security cameras had captured her image? She’d gotten into this building somehow. Had people seen her come in with Rob?

Another surge of panic washed through her.

What should she do?

She was a CEO, not a killer.

She continued down the steps, nearly falling several times.

Twelve flights later, she reached the first floor.

Nia knew better than to head to the lobby. Instead, she followed a maze of hallways until she reached the back entrance of the posh apartment building. If this place was like the building where she lived, the door would be locked only from the outside.

She pushed on it, and it opened. Relief swept through her.

As she stepped out into the early morning humidity, she sucked in a breath and tried to compose herself. She couldn’t appear disheveled. She had to keep her cool in order to not raise suspicion.

Once she was home in her own apartment,thenshe could fall apart. Then she could think this through more. Then she could figure out how to make the situation right.

But right now, all she wanted was to get away.

She forced herself to walk in an even stride across the dark sidewalk.

A street sign on the corner showed she was about four blocks away from her place and six blocks from the restaurant where she’d met Rob last night.

As she passed a trash can, she ditched Rob’s hat and sunglasses. She couldn’t afford to be caught with them. It was only smart to losethem . . . just in case.

She paused mid-step and glanced around. An eerie feeling crept over her skin. Raised the hair on her arms. Tightened her throat.

Someone was watching her, weren’t they?

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