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What to do, what to

do…?

CHAPTER 32

Warren

Ryan sat next to me at the bar of a dark and seedy dive in the Bronx. He stared into his beer, not saying a word as he digested everything I’d told him.

“None of it makes sense,” he said.

“You’re telling me. But the only thing I’m worried about is getting to Rose.”

“I knew you two would get together,” he said, a familiar smile sliding over his face.

“She’s my life now, man. Help me get to her.”

“It won’t be easy.”

“No, but that’s why I called in the best.”

“I have an idea, but you won’t like it.”

“What is it?”

“Remember what we did in that hotel in Kabul?”

“Oh no.” I shook my head. “Not that.”

“It’s easy and safe. No one will get hurt, or at least they shouldn’t. We’ll pull the fire alarm, everyone will evacuate the building, and then I’ll bring her to you.”

“But you might scare her. Plus, they’re probably watching her.”

“That’s why we’ll get everyone out the building.”

“She’ll be pissed.”

“It’s the only way. And it’s safe. I’m done with killing people, man.”

“All right. Let’s do it. Tonight?”

“I’ve got your back. You know that.”

I lifted my mug into the air and he raised his too. We clinked them together and drank.

* * *

Traffic passed by cluelessly as I waited on the opposite side of the street from Rose’s building, far enough away that the spooks keeping watch wouldn’t be able to see me.

Come on, Ryan. You got this.

I shifted from one leg to the other, ready to jump into action when people started exiting the building. Two blocks away, we had designated a place to talk.

Suddenly, I heard the fire alarm. Dozens of people stormed out of the front door a few minutes later.

This is it, I thought as I slipped into the alley.

I broke into the neighboring abandoned building, the spot we had determined was safest to talk. Anxiously, I stopped and leaned against a wall in a dark corner.