No Place to Hide

by Lynette Eason

  He could see tightness in her muscles at the base of her neck. “Don’t we need a key?”

  She reached into her pocket and held it up.

  Ian raised a brow. “You lifted it. From your scouting mission when we arrived?”

  “Yes. My pickpocketing skills far surpass my lock-picking skills. Don’t worry, I’ll leave it where the housekeeper can find it.”

  The elevator dinged. Jackie’s hand went to her weapon and Ian moved so he could pounce if he needed to.

  The doors opened to reveal an empty car.

  Jackie’s breath slipped from her and she lowered her hand from her gun to grasp the bags. She set them inside the elevator and let her hand go back to the weapon.

  They stepped into the elevator and Ian pressed the button she indicated. He prayed she was right about where the elevator would open up.

  Jackie held her gun out of sight to anyone who might be waiting on the elevator. “I don’t want to scare a housekeeper if she’s waiting to come up.” Seconds passed. The doors opened. “Lucked out again,” Jackie said as the cell phone in Ian’s pocket rang.

  “It’s not luck.”

  “Okay, you give God the credit then.”

  “I will, thanks,” he said, then spoke into the phone. “Where are you, Holly? Same place?”

  They stepped into the laundry area of the hotel and Jackie put her weapon away and placed the key on a shelf where it would be easy to spot.

  They juggled the bags. Gus stopped and sat, staring up at Ian.

  Jackie’s tight lips and hurried steps shouted her impatience. She had her hands full with the backpack from Ron and Holly’s rolling bag. Ian held Gus’s leash and his own small bag. He hung up with Holly and tucked the phone into Jackie’s coat pocket.

  “Where is she?” she asked.

  “Waiting on us.”

  “Let’s find the back door,” Jackie said.

  They moved fast and easily found another door that led to a set of stairs that would take them up.

  “Do we chance it?” Ian asked.

  “We have to get out of here.”

  Ian cautiously opened the door. A woman dressed in a housekeeping uniform headed down toward them. She frowned.

  Ian shrugged. “Sorry, we took a wrong turn. This will take us up and out, right?”

  “Yes. You want me to show you?”

  “I think we can handle it.”

  She continued on down, keeping her eyes on Gus.

  Ian backed up. “He won’t bite.”

  The woman nodded. But her hand went to her phone. Ian saw Jackie had noticed as well. He motioned to the steps and Jackie picked up her pace. They moved quickly up the stairs. At the top, Jackie pointed. “There’s an exit, let’s take it.”

  They moved toward a break in the hallway.

  Ian turned the corner. “We’re back up on level one.”

  “Yes, we’re taking the long route out, but so far it’s allowed us to avoid whoever’s after us. By now, though, they’ll have realized we’re not in the room. The housekeeper may have called security. We’ll have the bad guys and hotel security looking for us, searching inside and out. The sooner we get out, the better.”

  “All right, here we go.” Ian beelined for the glass door, Jackie on his heels. He stopped and assessed the area from behind the glass. Not seeing anything, he pushed the door open. Two steps out, he felt something hard and cold press under his ear.

  20

  12:20 P.M.

  Jackie took in the scene before her in the time it took to blink. She dropped the items she carried and propelled herself out the door to ram her elbow up and into the side of the figure’s jaw. Ian spun and the gun clattered to the ground. As he came around, his heel landed in their attacker’s solar plexus.

  The man went down with a quiet whoosh. Gus barked and lunged, baring his teeth inches from the man’s face.

  Ian stepped on the man’s throat and pressed. “Off, Gus.” Gus sat, but his body vibrated with the need to help his master. Ian turned back to the would-be murderer, who squirmed and gagged and tried to move Ian’s foot without success. “Who are you? Why are you after me?”

  Jackie touched Ian’s arm. “Ease up. If he can’t breathe, he can’t talk.”

  “We don’t have time for this,” Ian muttered.

  “No. We don’t. Leave him.”

  He shot her a black look. “I can’t.” Ian leaned over and grabbed the gun. This time it was his turn to press it against the man’s head. “What does that email mean?”

  Dark eyes glittered from behind the mask. Jackie ripped it from his head. He growled and she searched his pockets, careful not to place herself in a position that would allow him to grab her and turn this into a hostage situation. She found what she was looking for. “Zip ties.”

  Ian blew out a breath. “Hands behind your back, dude.”

  He lunged. Ian directed a hand chop to the side of the man’s head to render him motionless. The attacker dropped like a rock. Jackie went to her knees beside him and made short work of zip-tying his wrists. “Nice.”

  “Thanks.”

  “He’s unconscious now,” she said.

  “He should stay that way for a while.” Ian paused, his eyes searching the area. “What are we going to do with him?”

  “Leave him for the cops.”

  “Fine.” They stepped into the shadows of the hotel. Jackie caught her breath. “All right. Let’s find Holly and get out of here.”

  “How did you know?”

  “What?” She frowned.

  “That it was safe to attack him while he was holding a gun on my head?”

  “He had the safety on.”

  Ian blinked. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.”

  “You could see that?”

  “Yes. I looked for it. I recognized the M1911 model weapon and know they have a safety you have to thumb off before you can fire it. It was on. Now where’s Holly?”

  Ian looked around and spotted his cousin. “Right there. She said some of the people who shot at us were outside near the car. They’re going to be looking for their buddy in a few minutes.”

  “How did they find us?” she muttered.

  “Probably waited until we drove off and followed us.”

  “But we were careful. We were all watching. There’s something else going on.”

  Holly hurried over to them. She carried three bags. Lovely, tantalizing scents wafted from two of them. Ian’s stomach growled and Gus whined.

  “Gonna have to wait, boy, sorry,” Ian whispered.

  Jackie nodded to an alley running between the hotel and the start of a strip of stores. “I want you two to wait in there while I go check out how difficult it’s going to be to get the car. If they followed us here, then they know our vehicle.” She led the way to the alley, glancing back over her shoulder as she talked. “If I can get the car, I’ll text you and pull around, so be ready.”

  Ian stopped. “You’re not doing this by yourself.”

  Jackie’s gaze flicked to Holly. “You need to keep her safe.”

  “I’ll keep myself safe,” Holly said. “Let’s just get to the car.”

  Jackie’s lips tightened. “We have a better chance of this working if I go it alone. Three people and a dog aren’t going to cut it.”

  Ian started to protest. “She’s right,” Holly broke in. “We’ll wait here.” She gathered the bags and backed into the shadows of the alley. “Come on, Ian. Let her do it.”

  Ian stepped next to Holly and Gus sat next to him.

  “We don’t have time to argue,” Holly said.

  Jackie breathed out in relief.

  “But if you’re not here within five minutes,” Ian said, “I’m coming after you.”

  “Give me ten.”

  “Eight.”

  Jackie blew out a short humorless laugh. “Be ready.”

  SOUTH CAROLINA

  Special Agent Elizabeth Miller slapped the laptop closed and rubb
ed her burning eyes. She was tired. So very tired. She didn’t need to be sitting at home waiting. She needed a break on this case and fate didn’t seem to be interested in offering one up. Heck, she wasn’t asking for Lockwood to step up with his arms extended asking for her to slip the cuffs on him, she was willing to go get him—or send other agents after him—she just needed a location.

  A knock on the door brought her head up. Her fingers wrapped around the grip of her weapon and she lifted it from the table to carry it with her. She stood to the side of the door. “Yeah?”

  Her phone buzzed the same time Sam answered. “Open the door.”

  She holstered her weapon, grabbed her phone, and cracked the door. Sam slipped inside her foyer and shut the door behind him.

  He carried a large pizza, a two-liter bottle, and another bag that probably held the salad they’d split. His phone was ringing too. He laid his cargo on the table and fished in his pocket. “Yeah?”

  She spoke into her phone, trying to tune Sam out. “What is it?”

  “We’ve got some information on the murder of Daniel Armstrong.” Ray Mallard, one of the criminalists in the lab for SLED in Columbia, said the words slowly as though savoring them.

  Elizabeth lifted a brow. “The Wainwright employee. The one Lockwood killed.”

  “That’s the one, but it’s looking like he didn’t kill him after all.”

  Elizabeth blinked. “All right. I’m putting you on speaker so Sam can listen in.”

  Sam ended his call and Elizabeth pressed the button for the speakerphone. Sam began his meticulous preparation of what was to be their dining table.

  “We’re both here. Tell us,” Elizabeth said.

  “Daniel Armstrong was killed around ten o’clock. Interesting thing is, we had a tip that Lockwood was seen at a gas station around that time.”

  “You get the video footage and watch it?”

  “Yes. It’s definitely him and the Sellers woman. They’ve got a German shepherd with them too. He was wearing a service vest in the video. The time stamp on the video says there’s no way Lockwood killed Armstrong.”

  “The dog was wearing a vest on the bus too,” she said absently, her mind spinning to process this new information. “So if Lockwood was at the gas station at the time Armstrong was killed …”

  “Right. He didn’t do it.”

  “And the ME’s sure about the time?”

  “He’s pretty sure. Armstrong was found in his home, a bullet to the head, execution style.”

  Elizabeth frowned. “We seem to be having quite a few of those lately, don’t we?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She bit her lip. “It’s nothing, I suppose.” But for some reason the family who’d been found dead in their Georgia home, shot execution style, came to mind. It wasn’t her case, but still …

  “You there?”

  “Yeah, Ray, sorry. Anything else?”

  “Well, trace evidence found a hair that matches Lockwood on Armstrong’s body.”

  “But if he didn’t kill him …” She frowned.

  “Well, they worked together. Other employees said they were in and out of each other’s offices on a regular basis. He could have picked it up there.”

  “Right. True. Any prints?”

  “Nope. Whoever killed him wore gloves. There was also some dirt on the tile in the kitchen that didn’t match the dirt outside Armstrong’s home. That’s still being analyzed. I hope to have something for you on that soon.”

  “Okay.”

  “And last, I just talked to Detective Cliff Baylor who’s the lead on the Armstrong murder.”

  “I know Cliff. We’ve worked together before.”

  “He said there were some threatening emails from Lockwood to Armstrong the day before the man died.”

  Elizabeth’s frown deepened and she shot a glance at Sam. “That’s pretty convenient, isn’t it?”

  Sam shrugged. “Coincidence?”

  “Threatening emails to a man who dies the next day. Bomb items in his home, emails between him and Jackie plotting terrorism.” She shook her head. “Something is smelling a bit rancid if you ask me.”

  Sam lifted a brow. “Don’t tell me you think Lockwood’s innocent. Do I need to remind you that he ran?”

  “We’ve already been over what his reasons could be. If he realized how tightly someone had set him up, he might have decided he had no other recourse, nothing to lose by trying to find a way to prove his innocence.”

  Sam shook his head and took a bite of the pizza. “I’m not buying that. He’s guilty.”

  She slapped the table. “There’s nothing in his past to indicate criminal action—or a tendency for it.”

  “There’s always a first time.”

  “Guys?” Ray came through the speaker. “I’m still here, remember?”

  Elizabeth focused back on Ray. “Sorry. Keep your nose to this one, will you? Don’t let anything slip by you.” She stared at Sam and lifted her chin. “An innocent man’s life may be at stake.” Sam shrugged. Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “And Ray? One more thing if you don’t mind.”

  “Yes?”

  “Would you contact the ME or the criminalist who handled the ballistics for the mass homicide of the Anwar Goff family to see if striations on the slugs match up?”

  “You think they’re connected?”

  “Maybe. The MO sounds the same.”

  “But one is in South Carolina, the other in Georgia.”

  “Killers can’t cross state lines?”

  “Of course, but … I’m just trying to figure out why you would connect the two.”

  “The Goff family has been on my mind. Lockwood’s being set up as a bioterrorist.”

  “Maybe set up.”

  “Goff worked for the CDC, Lockwood and Armstrong work for a lab with close connections to the CDC. I want to know if the weapon that killed these five people is the same one or a different one, that’s all.”

  “I’ll check it out,” Ray promised.

  “Oh, and one more thing.”

  “What?”

  “Could you put me through to the ViCAP unit chief?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “You’re the best, Ray.”

  “Remember that, will you?”

  She smiled as she waited for the chief to pick up.

  “Chief Craig Thomas, what can I do for you?”

  “Chief Thomas, this is FBI Special Agent Elizabeth Miller. I’m working a case and have come across information that you might find interesting.” She explained the situation.

  “You have my attention. What do you want me to do?”

  “Could you ask ViCap to run their database for any other unsolved or solved homicides using the same caliber weapon and similar MO as these killings?”

  “Of course. Can I reach you at this number when I have the answer?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “I’ll get back to you.”

  12:30 P.M.

  NEW YORK CITY

  Jackie slipped around the side of the building, her blood humming. Adrenaline made her senses extra sharp and her ears picked up every little sound.

  The men Holly had seen around the vehicle had moved. She hesitated, not seeing anyone. No one guarded the car. A shadow just ahead shifted and a tall man in a dark sweater and black hat and pants hovered at the base of the stairs. Jackie was willing to bet the others were around. Some still on the stairs, others up on the floor where they’d been staying.

  She needed a distraction. A quick glance at her watch showed she had about five minutes left before Ian came after her. She saw the cruiser across the street, sitting on the curb. An idea sparked. She dialed 911. When the operator answered, Jackie was ready. “I’m at the Park Central Hotel on 7th Avenue. There’s a man dressed all in black and I’m scared to go up to my room. If I go in the lobby, he’ll see me.” She gasped. “There’s another one at the top of the stairs and he has a gun. They both do. Please. Hurry. I don’t know what
they’re doing, but it doesn’t look good.”

  “Stay calm, ma’am.” Jackie could hear the keys clicking on the keyboard in the background. “I’ve dispatched a unit. He’s one street over so he should be there within seconds.”

  Jackie already saw the flashing lights headed her way. She looked at her watch once again. Three minutes. The cruiser spun into the covered area near the front door. The man hovering at the entrance to the lobby slunk away into the shadows around the side of the hotel. Jackie clicked the unlock button to the vehicle. The car chirped once and the lights flashed. She froze. The cruiser slowed and two officers exited the car.

  Two people came out of the hotel lobby.

  The officers met them. “Excuse me, we got a report of …”

  There was no sign of the man she wanted to avoid and no one between her and the car. Jackie darted across the street to the SUV and climbed in the driver’s side. She shut the door with a soft click and waited. Another glance at her watch. One minute before Ian came looking for her.

  If he hadn’t already.

  The officer entered the lobby, speaking into the radio on his shoulder. Jackie cranked the vehicle and pulled out of the parking lot. Two more cruisers passed her heading for the hotel and she held her breath, but they never glanced her way. Slowly, she pulled around to the side alley where she saw Holly and Ian hurrying toward her.

  They reached for the doors as she pulled to a stop. Ian motioned Holly into the front seat, then climbed into the back with Gus. “We were coming to find you.”

  “Good thing you didn’t.” She told them what happened as she drove. She heard Ian rustling in the bags and then heard the distinctive sound of Gus eating.

  Holly had the food bags. Delicious smells emanated from them. Jackie kept her eye on the rearview mirror even as she took the hamburger Holly handed her. “How did they find us? I’m not getting it. No one followed us to that hotel.” She glanced at Holly. “You didn’t talk to anyone when you went out, did you?”

  “Of course not.”