Sliding my go bag on my back, I cracked the door and watched for the robust nurse to go answer a call. The moment she did, I slinked out of the room, easing the door shut with a tiny click instead of a bang. I took off toward the first exit signs, not even wanting to wait for the elevator even though I was five floors up. I practically slid down all the flights of stairs, determination burning in my chest.
I started out of the stairwell and quickly stepped back. Siron had placed operatives at the doors. Had she discovered that I’d left my room already? I spotted Summer. Her head was in her hands, and she looked a bit dejected. Her head suddenly popped up, and our eyes met. It was over for me. She’d gladly report me to Siron and get the two dummy operatives to take me into custody. A deep sigh rushed out of me as I eyed the doors and then the hallways, calculating my chances of escape.
I glanced back at Summer, who was still looking at me. She stood, and I readied myself to take off, but she gestured with one of her hands and shook her head slightly as if warning me to wait.
What? Wait to give her time to alert the guards and turn me in?
She walked over to the guards.
I turned to take my chances with the hallway. Before I took off, she had everyone facing completely away from me. She was distracting them. Go figure. I didn’t have time to dwell on the weirdness of her helping me after what happened on that roof.
Despite my confusion, I made my way to a restroom where I found a hinged window. After a few swift kicks, I was able to free the window from its hinges, creating a space big enough for me to throw my bag out and slip through into the black night. I was free.
I took the train to Kamal’s. I checked his tracker just to make sure he was actually home. His dot sat right on his address. I made it to his apartment in twenty minutes, rehearsing in my mind what I might say to him to convince him to give Marco up. I stood watching the building from a block away, a few street lamps lighting the area.
Aside from the front door, there were two windows through which I could gain access to his apartment. One was by the front door and the other in the alley. I flicked my gaze at my fellow agents who were watching that front door, then I looked at the brick wall that led to the window and veranda that I would have to get to and scowled. My fingers were still red and sore from climbing last night, but if there were operatives watching the place, this was definitely my only way in. The dark night would help camouflage me. I snuck over to the narrow alley and rolled the too-big pants several times at my waist and used elastics from my go bag to control the hems. I dug my fingers in, and after wincing and stifling a cry, I climbed. At the top I sat on the veranda and shook my hands a bit, closing my eyes and wishing the pain away. I tied a rope to the metal veranda for our escape. At least, I hoped we would be leaving together. Then I freed the screen and window from its housing, glad I’d oiled it the other day. I set the screen inside on the floor without hearing Kamal stir. Apartment life had apparently taught him to sleep soundly.
A faint scent of spices hit me as I wove my way through the easels, without the aid of any light and without disturbing any of them. I was more than thankful he hadn’t moved anything since the last time I’d been in the apartment as I crept up next to his bed and stood over a sleeping Kamal. His breathing was even and shallow. I grabbed him into a fierce embrace, using his sheet to wrap him up like a burrito, so tight that his arms and legs were useless. Sitting on his stomach, I whispered in his ear.
“It’s Eva. I’m not here to hurt you, but others are coming to do just that. I am whispering because they are listening and if they knew I was here, they’d break in and take you. I am an undercover agent, and I bring down the bad guys. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. I can’t answer your questions here, but I have a way out for us through your window. If you struggle or signal the people outside, I will not be able to help you. They know about Marni and are going to use her against you. If you are ready to trust me, wiggle.”
He did, and I slowly released my hand and whispered, “Not a sound.”
Much to his credit, he remained silent. I don’t know that I would have been so trusting had the same thing happened to me. I released the sheets and helped him stand. I had him stand with his back to my chest, and I walked him through the maze of easels without bumping anything. One thing I knew for sure, people were not truly aware of the surroundings they were in each day.
