Pippa gave her a hard look.“No, it’s a cell connection.”
“Could be jammed.”
A secret service agent stepped out of the greenroom.“We’re cut off too.We need to move Starlight, now.”
Oh.Britta.
“I know,” Pippa snapped.“But let’s all calm down and get some eyes in the hallway before?—”
The back door opened.Security—wearing the same uniform as Emberly—streamed in, a handful of men and a woman, holding handguns, AR-15s strapped over their shoulders.Pippa stepped back into the room, took a position in front of Imani.
The three secret service women drew their weapons.
“We’re building security.Let’s go.”This from one of the older men, salt-and-pepper hair, a seasoned look on his face.He spoke with an accent, maybe Hispanic, and he held open the door as his men entered the room, ushering the others out.
Emberly stayed back, suddenly aware of her uniform, the fact that?—
“Who are you?”
She turned and faced one of the men, who glanced at her badge, back at her.
“Can’t you read?”Then she walked into the greenroom.“Okay, everyone, just head down the hallway, down the stairs.”
Pippa shot her a frown just before she exited, her hand on Imani.
Yeah,something didn’t feel right.
And then...Wait?—
She ran after Pippa, grabbed her arm right before she got to the door.Pippa had hold of Imani, pulled her back.
“What if these guys did the same thing I did?What if?—”
“Keep moving.”The command came from behind her, a voice that...
No.
She turned, and of course Boris stood behind her.He’d clearly found another bull-bodied man from whom to filch his uniform, and now he startled, his gaze on her.
“Run, Pippa,” Emberly said quietly and took a step toward Boris.“Round three?”
Behind her, Pippa had grabbed Imani around the waist for protection and now ran toward the exhibition hall.
Boris took a step toward Emberly, who raised her hands.
“This is going to go badly for you,” Emberly snapped.He smiled and reached for her.
She dodged him, ran out into the exhibition hall.
The white pops of smoke bombs exploding made her hit the carpet.
Somewhere in the clutter, Pippa and Imani had vanished.
Boris hauled Emberly up by her arm.“Trying to run, little rat?”He pushed her toward the exit.She stumbled, hit the wall, turned back to him, her stun gun out, and lunged.
He slapped the gun away, but she rolled and lunged again.
The gun hit his hip and his leg buckled.
