by Jaclyn Hardy
She bent down and kissed on his forehead. “What happened?”
“I don’t know.” He licked his lips. “Water.”
Carlie held the hospital water mug for him so he could get a drink. “Do you think it was on purpose?”
He nodded and coughed again. “My team . . . let me go. But it didn’t seem right.”
“So you think they’re the ones who did this? Why would they do that?” Carlie set the mug down and held his hand again.
“I don’t know.” He paused. “Can you help me get out of here?”
Carlie raised her eyebrows. “I’ve already done that once, remember?”
“I know. That means you know how to do it again.” He laughed at his own joke. “I’m a sitting duck right now. Tell me. Were there guards outside my door?”
“No.” She frowned. “Were there supposed to be?”
“Yes. I heard the police talking about it as I drifted in and out.” He tried to sit up.
Carlie used the remote to push the bed up. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea to move you right now.”
“It’s that or I.D. me at the morgue.” Braden stared up at her. “I need to go. Now.”
“Okay, but you’re going to have to be able to run if it comes to that. Think you can do it?” Carlie pushed a wheelchair over to the bed.
He shook his head and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Probably not, but we’ll do what we can.”
Once he was settled in his chair, Carlie gathered his things and set them on his lap, followed by a blanket to hide them. “Here goes nothing.”
Breaking out of an Egyptian hospital proved to be much easier than this one. Carlie had to walk calmly down the hall as if they were just going for a walk, then take off whenever they had the hallway to themselves. Nurses continuously moved back and forth near the front desk, which meant they had to find another way out.
They found an exit where other patients sat to get some sun. Carlie pushed Braden past them and turned a corner before breaking into a run.
“You doing okay?” She asked, trying to catch her breath.
Braden laughed. “I’m fine. Although we might want to go faster. I’m pretty sure I heard some shouting back there.”
Carlie pushed him through the parking lot and found her small rental. “Good thing we’re here already.” She unlocked the doors, and Braden climbed in. Carlie set the wheelchair up on the sidewalk then jumped in. “I don’t think there’s any way we’re getting you on a plane right now. Guess we drive back home.”
“Fair enough. I don’t think they’ll be expecting that. But let’s head up through California and then head east. I want to make sure they’re not on our tail.” Braden yawned and closed his eyes.
“Sounds good. Okay, I drive, you talk. I want to know everything including why you betrayed me. And then we figure out where the necklace is. I’m not letting it slip through my fingers again.”
Braden was quiet for a moment. “Can you tell me why you want it so bad? You found it, which was the point of this whole thing. Do you really need it back?”
“Yes. I’d rather put it back in that death trap in Africa than allow criminals to have it. My father and I searched for it for too long.” Carlie pulled onto the freeway and glanced over at Braden. “I don’t suppose you know where it is?”
“I have my suspicions. If you’re sure you want it, then we need to stick around here. They plan to take it somewhere soon, which means it’s in town somewhere.”
Carlie’s heart beat rapidly. “You’re sure?”
“No, but I’m willing to bet it’s nearby.”
“You up for one more adventure before we head home?” Carlie checked her mirrors and veered over to the freeway exit.
Braden grinned. “Sounds good to me.”
***
The hotel Carlie had checked them into was run down, but it helped them hide out until they could find out more. Once she was sure he was settled into his bed, she made a call to Ed.
“Hey, I have intel that the necklace is in LA. I just sent you the coordinates. Think you can use the cameras in the building to find it?”
“Give me an hour.” There was a pause. “Where’d you get this intel? I haven’t been able to find anything.”
“I have my sources. Let me know when you find it.” Carlie hung up and flopped onto the other bed. When Ed said it would take an hour, he meant it, and she needed to get rest while she still could.
***
Carlie slowly pulled the bandage off around Braden’s head, cringing every time he gasped. The cut near his hairline was healing nicely, but it would be hard to hide the stitches. She picked up the foundation she’d picked up at the store.
“Okay, sit still and this shouldn’t hurt.”
Braden raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t?”
“Hey, I’ll do my best.” She patted lightly around the stitches to hide the bruising, then covered the other bruises on his face. “Maybe a mask would have been easier.”
“I look that bad?” Braden reached for the small makeup mirror, but Carlie pulled it away.
“Just wait.” Carlie tilted his chin, checking to make sure she didn’t miss anything. “Hmm looks like I missed a spot.”
Braden grabbed the mirror and checked. “I don’t see anything. Also, I’m never wearing makeup again.”
Carlie bent down and brushed his lips with hers. “There, I got it.”
“Hmm, I don’t think you did.” He pulled her back down for another kiss, running his fingers through her hair.
Carlie pushed away, laughing. “You’re going to mess up your makeup and then we’ll have to start all over again.”
She stood and grabbed a black shirt and pants. “Change into this and then I think we’re set.”
Braden held up his shirt. “Where’d you get all these supplies? I thought you didn’t want Ed knowing we’re working together.”
“I got them at the super villain store. There was a two-for-one sale.” Carlie went into the bathroom to change into her outfit and pulled her hair back into a bun. She made sure to pack her tranquilizer lipstick and gun, then left the bathroom.
Braden set down his phone and stood. “Sloan should be leaving soon. They thought they’d cut me off, but I was able to hack into their phone line. And I may have let it leak that the alarm system was down in the art museum.”
“Which museum?” Carlie grabbed her bag and added another case of bullets.
“All of them.” Braden grunted as he slipped on his jacket. “He’ll be too busy organizing raids to notice that we’re inside.”
Carlie couldn’t decide if she was more nervous or excited to be breaking into the building. Braden had shaken her confidence when he asked the real reason she wanted to go for the necklace. Her father had taught her that it was all about preserving items that had been around for centuries. But was that really why she wanted it so badly?
They took a taxi to an address that was two blocks away from Sloan’s building. No reason to let the driver get suspicious if things did go wrong. They climbed out and ran down alleys, taking a few extra turns to cover their tracks.
The alarm systems were top of the line, so they avoided the doors. Carlie pulled off her ring and used it to cut a rectangle into the glass, then used suction cups to help pull it out without letting it shatter. She sprayed mist to reveal the lasers, breathing in relief when she didn’t see any.
She had Braden go first, then pulled the glass back into place behind her. Braden pulled up the map on his phone and they compared it to the one Ed had sent. Cameras lined the walls, so they had to duck and run to the opposite wall.
They had to go down two floors, but instead of taking the stairs, they would go down the elevator shaft. They strapped themselves together and Carlie held on tightly to Braden while he took the ladder down. She would have enjoyed being this close to him if there wasn’t thirty feet of nothing below them.
The modern decor from above had given way to stone w
alls and cramped offices. They had to duck back inside the elevator when a security guard passed by, then Carlie went ahead. They checked the map again and made their way to the end of a hallway.
Braden pulled Carlie close and bent down to whisper in her ear. “I have to use my retina scan in here. Which means that we’ll have exactly thirty seconds before every guard and agent for miles will be on us. Ready?”
Carlie nodded. After what they’d done in Thailand and Egypt, this was nothing. Or at least that’s what she’d keep telling herself. “But this only happens if you promise to get out of here as soon as you’ve done your part. You’re injured. Let me do this. Meet me at the hotel and have a car ready.”
“What? No.”
“You know you’ll just slow me down. I’ll see you as soon as this is over. You’re as good as dead if they catch you.”
Braden stared at her for a moment before finally nodding. He bent down and scanned his eye, then used his palm for the next lock. “Go.”
“See you soon.” Carlie pulled the door open and used her phone to track the necklace. At the back of the room was a large vault. Of course that’s where they'd put it. She cursed and dialed Ed’s number using the video app. He picked up on the first ring. “Please tell me you can get me into this.”
Ed ran his fingers through his hair. “Sure. In about three hours.”
“I don’t have three hours.” Carlie looked back toward the entrance, listening for any signs of guards. “I have about twenty seconds.”
“Well, then I suggest you pull out your perfume, click it twice and aim at the lock.” The phone went dead.
Carlie pulled out the perfume bottle she’d used to find the lasers and did what he told her. High pressure mist blew out and froze the control panel. Whoa. She stared at the bottle for a minute before grabbing a display box and slamming it into the panel. She twisted the handle on the vault and opened it. Inside was the necklace, laying inside the wooden box she’d carried all over Bangkok. She grabbed the box and snapped it shut, then ducked behind another display case just as guards piled inside. Time to get out of there. Carlie lit a smoke bomb and rolled it into the center of the room. As soon as the smoke was thick enough, she slipped out the door and ran for the elevator.
Shots rang out behind her, but she was already up the shaft climbing to the main floor. She sprinted for the window she’d used as an entrance and pushed it out, not caring that it shattered on her out.
Her breaths came out in gasps as she rounded a corner and continued on. Weaving back and forth through the alleys until she was several blocks away. She leaned against a wall to catch her breath and pulled out her phone to call Braden, but just got voicemail.
“Hey, Braden it’s me. Please call back so I know you’re okay.”
As soon as she found a main road, she flagged down a taxi and gave the directions to the hotel. Carlie’s phone buzzed.
Don’t go back to the hotel. We’ve been compromised. Meet you at LAX.
“Hey, change of plans. Can you take me to the airport?”
“That’s the other direction, lady.” The man glared into the mirror.
Carlie threw a hundred dollar bill at him. “I know. And I need to get to the airport. Turns out my boyfriend already cleared out the hotel room and checked out.”
“Trouble in paradise, eh?” He chuckled and turned left at the next light.
“Something like that.” Carlie typed a quick message back.
I’ll be there in ten minutes. You okay?
I’ll explain when we’re on the flight. Terminal five. I already checked your bag.
Thanks. See you soon.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Braden paced the floor of the airport waiting for Carlie to appear. She’d said ten minutes, so where was she? Their flight was called over the loud speaker again. It would be taking off in ten minutes.
“Braden!” Carlie called out. She’d changed out of her black jacket, and her hair was down instead of in the bun.
“You had me scared.” He hugged her quickly before taking her hand. “Come on. We have to check in now.”
“The flight isn’t supposed to take off for another hour.”
Braden smiled and continued on to security. He checked them both in and ran for the gate. When he noticed that Carlie was lagging behind, he slowed down.
“We’re not heading to Arizona are we?” Carlie adjusted her backpack.
“Nope.” Braden handed their tickets to the flight attendant.
“Cutting it close. They’re just about to close the doors.” The flight attendant smiled and waved them into the gate.
Carlie pulled on his arm to make him stop. “Why are we going to New York?”
“Because I thought we could use a vacation.” Braden set his backpack up in the luggage rack.
Carlie held tightly to hers until a stewardess asked her to put it under the chair. “Where are we really going?”
“Let’s just say I had a few chats with someone at the Met and your new little souvenir will have its own display and security detail.”
Carlie’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? That’s amazing. Thank you.”
“Anything for my girl.” Braden leaned forward and kissed her. “How’d you get it done so quickly?”
“That’s a story for another time.” Carlie nodded to a man a few rows ahead who seemed a little to interested in their conversation.
Braden took the courtesy pillow out of its plastic and set it behind his head. “Sounds good to me. Wake me when we get there.”
***
Braden straightened his bowtie, then combed through his hair one more time. A lot of work had gone into that night and he wanted to look perfect for Carlie.
“It looks fine.” Carlie’s voice came from behind him.
He turned and smiled. “Wow, you look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Carlie blushed and turned in a circle. The red form fitting sequined dress flattered her more than the dress she’d worn in Thailand. Her hair was pinned up in a twist, and she wore the jeweled necklace he’d given her for her birthday. “I can’t believe this is finally happening. I wish my father was here with us tonight.”
“I bet he is. Nothing would keep him away from seeing his little girl fulfill his lifelong quest.” Braden helped her with her wrap. “The limo should be here soon.”
“Perfect.” Carlie held her stomach. “I’m so nervous. What if something goes wrong?”
Braden chuckled. “Between our two testimonies and the evidence Ed helped plant, I don’t think Sloan or the others will be getting out anytime soon.”
They left the hotel room and took the elevator down to the main lobby. Braden kept an arm around Carlie, making sure she was safe at all times. Cameras flashed and reporters asked questions all the way to the limo, where they slid in and closed the doors.
“I guess staying anonymous is out of the question.” Carlie leaned her head against Braden’s shoulder.
“Looks like it.”
Traffic was busier than usual on the way to the museum. It seemed art collectors had come out of the woodwork to be there that night.
More cameras flashed as they climbed out of the limo in front of the museum. Braden held tightly to Carlie as they walked up the steps and went to the Ancient Egypt exhibit. Carlie slowed as they approached the display. Her eyes filled with tears. Braden pulled out a tissue for her to wipe her eyes.
He led her up to the front, next to the glass case that kept the necklace safe. A large plaque below the display explained the significance of the necklace and gave credit to Carlie, her father, and Braden for finding it. Braden had fought with them, but Carlie was insistent that he was acknowledged. A bust of Cleopatra stood nearby, along with the story of the purchase of her necklace.
Waiters walked through with trays of champagne, and people chatted in groups. Braden kept an eye out for anyone that seemed suspicious, but so far everything looked secure.
“Carlie!” Two women hurried forward a
nd pulled her into a hug. This had to be Dani and Dee. She’d been thrilled to death when they told her they were coming.
One of the women held out her hand. “Hey, I’m Dee. You probably don’t remember. I took an archaeology class from you a couple of years ago.”
“You did? I mean, it’s nice to meet you.” Braden thought she seemed vaguely familiar, but several of his classes had over a hundred students in them. He turned to Carlie’s other friend. “So you must be Dani then.”
“Yes. It’s nice to meet you.” She shook his hand and glanced around the museum. “This place is amazing. I can’t believe you have a piece here, Carlie.”
Carlie laughed. “I wish I had all the credit.”
Braden raised an eyebrow. “You may not have made it yourself, but you certainly deserve all of the credit. You’ll have to tell them the story about jumping out of a window into a river in Thailand sometime.”
Dee rolled her eyes. “Sounds like Carlie. She was the one who played the best pranks on the other apartments when we were all in college together.”
“Uh, let’s not go there.” Carlie put her finger to her lips. “Those days should stay in the past.”
“Oh, no. I don’t think they’re going to stay in the past. I want to hear them.” Braden leaned over to Dee. “You and I are going to have to trade stories.”
Carlie looped her arm through Braden’s. “I think I’m going to have to keep you away from them.”
“Come on. You weren’t that bad.” Braden laughed and took a glass of champagne from the offered tray. “Looks like they’re starting the ceremony.”
“Do you know where I put my notes? I don’t remember.” Carlie searched frantically through her purse.
Braden pulled the notecards from his pocket. “Relax. I took them, remember? You didn’t want to lose them.”
Carlie sighed with relief. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d probably fall apart.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek before whispering in her ear. “Good thing, you don’t have to worry about that. I’m not going anywhere.”