rens slices through the night air

rs rapidly in all directions. People do

Shoulders slam into her ribs. The surge of bodies viol

sneakers slip on the wet pavement. She loses h

" Anissa

irens and the shouting pedestrians. The flashing red

e nearest narrow alleyway to avoid the incoming police cruis

rain and overflowing dumpsters. It is a sta

ands are shaking slightly from the adrenaline. Th

gloved hand clamps down over her phone. The ha

. She violently twists her hips and throws a sharp

hand. His palm absorbs the heavy impact without him m

ey. The impact knocks the breath from her lungs. She finds hersel

ering street light from the main road catche

at him. Her

emands. "Back off, or I screa

face. His expression is an agonizing mix of p

an inch closer. He invades her personal space, u

storms," he says, the words hanging heavy in the damp air. "They always sm

Washington D. C.

ierces her temples. It feels like an ice pick driving in

She squeezes her eyes shut. A blurry, fragmented image of

ady her trembling shoulders. His voice s

t me,"

val instinct overrides the strange, blinding hea

shaking with rage. "He hired you to dig up

ter, humorless laugh

st person on earth I take

." He stares deeply into her eyes. He is searching. He i

ace registers nothing but hostili

realizes the absolute depth of the psychological damage she

giving her physical space.

in the Sinclair E

ride flaring. "My miserable marriage is

the end of the alley is violently kicked asid

onto Bowen. A lethal, customized combat knife is alrea

He keeps his eyes fixed on Anissa. But his posture s