Page 58 of Bulletproof Jack: Hunting Lee Child's Jack Reacher

Todd had been right. This was the correct room. So far, so good.

She took a second deep breath and prepared to clear the interior of the suite. She patted her pocket to confirm the flashlight.

Kim waited another minute.

When she opened the entry door, she’d be backlit by the lights from the hallway. Which would give occupants of the room a chance to see her. She’d be an easy target.

Still no Russell. He must have run into a problem.

She heard the elevator bell ding, announcing the car had arrived.

Maybe Russell.

Maybe someone else.

Like hotel security.

Kim swiveled her head for a quick look around.

Nowhere to hide while she waited. She stood fully exposed. At this point, she had only one real choice.

Time to go.

She pushed the levered handle down to unlatch the door.

Then she gripped her weapon with both hands and used her foot to shove the door all the way open. Fast.

She flattened her back to the exterior wall next to the doorjamb and waited outside the room another moment.

Nothing rushed toward her.

She heard no noises inside.

Kim moved quickly into the dark.

She flattened her back against the interior wall and scanned the entrance using the brief light from the corridor while the door slowly closed behind her.

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Chapter 24

Saturday, June 4

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, CA

When the door closed, the room was darker than a grave. No ambient light at all. Instant blindness.

Kim stood still, barely breathing, willing her eyes to adjust enough to reveal the shapes and shadows she’d glimpsed only briefly.

Darkness was both an offensive and defensive weapon. She could neither see nor be seen. Like all weapons, the tactical question was when and how to use it.

A flick of the light switch on the wall where she stood would brighten the room. And also make her an easy target.

She had a flashlight in her pocket and if she turned it on, she’d have control over the beam. But the beam would draw attention directly to her.

The night vision app on her phone was a better option than the flashlight, but if she lifted the phone from her pocket, the screen would illuminate automatically. Same problem as the flashlight.

Kim stood motionless. Waiting. Listening. All senses dialed up to red alert. Never relaxing her two-handed grip on her gun.

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