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“Can you…hearwhat they’re talking about?” I asked Evans.

“Not unless I can see him clearly. And anyway, I would only be able to hear him.”

So much for that then. It probably wouldn’t help us anyway. We were still unable to get out of this. Knowing what Larkin said on the phone was not going to improve our situation.

“We don’t have time for this. We need to get to Andrea,” Evans said. She moved around as much as she could, trying to twist out of the zip ties.

“Unless you can magic us out of this, we’re stuck,” I said. The plastic strip around my wrists was tight with just enough slack to not stop the blood flow.

“Yeah, I think you’ve seriously misconstrued what I can do,” she said and stopped fighting the plastic. “What the hell is wrong with that guy? He’s supposed to be here to investigate Andrea’s kidnapping.”

“That’s a cover. I think he’s more hitman than investigator.”

“He must have joined the Bureau for a reason, though,” she argued. She did not seem to believe her own words.

“It doesn’t matter. We’re not leaving this place until he lets us.” That was a devastating truth. We could try something when he moved us to the car. Or in the car. But now? Like this? We didn’t have a chance, and by Evans’ exasperated sigh it was clear she knew that. Plus, the way he drove, trying something in the car was a risky move. There was also little chance of being found by anyone. I was certain we were in an old auto shop, but someone had at one point started remodeling the inside of the building. There were fresh-painted white walls, a couple of open walls with wires and pipes exposed. No furniture except some shelves, no equipment–it all spoke of a new use for the place. The dust and cobwebs told me the remodeling was put on hold, though. There was also a lack of smell of fresh paint. No, no one would be coming in here in the morning. I wanted to shout at Larkin, get him to see what was at stake. The agent was so blind. Instead, I breathed out and moved a little to my right so I could lean against the wall instead of the pipe.

“Why are you so damn calm?” Evans looked at me through narrowed eyes.

I shrugged. I didn’t feel calm in the least. She was right about us not having the time for this. Andrea didn’t have the time. She’d been in the car only a few seconds, but from what I saw, she needed help badly.

“I’m just waiting for the right time,” I said, lowering my voice in case Larkin was listening. He’d gone silent in the office, and the door was open.

Evans said nothing for a moment but then nodded. “You know we need to do something when he moves us?”

“Best chance is between here and the car,” I agreed. Once inside the vehicle, I suspected we’d be subjected to the same drive as before, or he’d drug us to keep us docile for a while. We were not far from Ashport at the moment, but closer to Ashdale. For some reason, the Agent had decided not to drive further tonight. Whatever plans he was laying, he was making them here.

“He will not be taking us both out there at the same time,” I continued. That would mean less control on his part.

“I’ll do it,” Evans said. “He needs to cut the strips around our ankles unless he wants to carry us.”

“You’ll do what exactly?”

She shrugged and drew her knees up a little. “It might end with his neck breaking,” she added as if that was nothing, yet she didn’t look at me.

“Or yours, if he reacts fast enough. And he might. You know that.” She’d been in a fight with him after all, and from what I had seen of that, he was fast as well as resilient when it came to pain.

“Then your life will become quieter,” she said, the damn smirk back.

“We don’t know who he’ll take outside first,” I said, ignoring it. “Whichever of us that is, has to create some sort of distraction when he comes out the second time.”

She pursed her lips sideways as she considered this. At least it removed the smirk. “Like an escape attempt?”

“Preferably, but honking the horn or something would be enough. All that’s needed is a second of him being distracted.”

“Hmm…” she dipped her chin quickly. “Okay then. If we separate him from his gun, then we’ve come a long way.”

“I don’t think he’ll shoot you,” I said and glanced toward the office. All I could see of the agent was the top of his head through the glass wall.

“Maybe not to kill.” She scoffed. “Haven’t you noticed? Cops tend not to like me when they know about me.” The smirk came back again.

I drew breath instead of replying. The remodeled garage smelled dusty and shut in. “Do you think Andrea can hold on until tomorrow?” I asked. I didn’t even know what time it was. Late? Sure. But did we have to wait three hours? Five? What if our plan didn’t pan out?

“I hope so.” Something in Evans’ voice made me look at her. She was genuinely worried. She turned her head and looked back at me. “We can’t fail.”

* * *

I must have fallen asleep at some point during the long hours as the ringing of Agent Larkin’s cell startled me. I heard him answer it and then keep talking. Couldn’t decipher his words, though. There was a numb pain behind my right ear, but my head felt fine. That was something. I realized that Evans had moved over as she leaned against my right side, head resting against my shoulder. Funny how the world changes sometimes. A week ago, I would have pushed her away without thinking about it.

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