Page 104 of The Bone Man

“Too soon?” Marc walks over to sit on the bench and closes his eyes. “Might as well get some shut-eye while we wait.”

Reluctantly, Pen and I join him, though I don’t think any of us find real sleep.

* * *

Hours later, we’re roused by the sound of the heavy door to the Ward opening and closing, followed by the unmistakable tap of dress shoes approaching.

“Great.” I rise to my feet, my shoulder only twinging a bit at the movement. “Bailey’s back for another round of gloating.”

“If he gets close enough, try makinghimvanish,” Marc growls.

The visitor comes into view, but instead of Bailey, an unexpected figure strides toward us.

My brows shoot up in surprise. “Johannsson, what the hell are you doing here?”

Johannsson pulls a key card for our cell out of his pocket and swipes it over the lock. “We don’t have much time. I got a call from Mayn to come down here now and free you.”

Pen shakes her head in disbelief. “You’re putting your job on the line for us? Why?”

“Don’t get all sentimental. I’m not here for you, I’m here for Sharpe.” He pulls open the cell door. “I can’t leave my boss behind bars.”

I shake my head, grateful but confused. Johannsson is the last of my officers I would have expected to stick their necks out. “You’re going to get in trouble for this.”

“What can they do? Fire me?” He snorts. “That already happened, so there’s no job at risk.”

I rear back. “What? Bailey fired you?”

“Yeah, but we can talk about that later.” He beckons us out of the cell. “We need to move fast. Bailey just went down to the garage, and I’m not sure how long the cameras will stay scrambled.”

We hurry out and follow Johannsson down the corridor past the other cells.

“There will be a car to pick you up right out front on the street,” Johannsson pulls open the heavy metal door.

We pass the empty guard station, the lights on the monitors flickering in disarray. Johannsson doesn’t waste a moment, leading us down the hall to the elevator, our steps echoing.

Sweat beads on his brow as he swipes his badge to open the elevator. “They’ll take you to the safe house, and the rest of us will join you in small groups so we don’t raise suspicion.”

“The rest of you?” I ask, feeling dazed by this turn of events.

Johannsson straightens his spine and pulls back his shoulders. “Fired or not, we’re still the only ones capable of taking down this monster a second time. We stand with you, sir, to the end.”

Pride fills me, and I reach out to grip his shoulder. “I’m honored to have you on my team.”

Johannsson flushes and nods. “Thank you, sir.”

The elevator rises quickly, dropping my heart into my stomach as the floors flash by. Then it comes to a stop just as fast, leaving me light-headed.

When the doors open into the squad room, I receive the second blow of the day. Bailey had done as he promised. All of my officers stand at their desks, cardboard boxes in front of them as they pack up their belongings.

They all stop when they see us, and each one turns to face me, offering a salute.

I stride into the room, my heart heavy with the sight of my dedicated team being forced out of their positions. No words can encompass how I feel, so I stop and salute them in return, my gaze sweeping over each familiar face.

“We need to hurry,” Johannsson urges. “We can do all this once we meet back up in an hour.”

Nodding, I turn, and we head for the main entrance just as the other elevatorbingswith a new arrival.

My stomach drops, and I turn to see Bailey stepping into the squad room.

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