Page 67 of The Lazarus Protocol

Adam ducked into the space, considerably darker than the bright home. Two feet in front of him another wall, stacked breezeblocks, made a narrow walkway that stretched left and right. Ice and Steph were on his right now, making their way along the walkway.

“I read you,” Marina said. “But not clearly.”

“Copy that.” Adam started his shuffle down the tight space. “You have our location.”

“Jay and Dan are doubling back to assist.”

“We need a way to take out armed drones.” Preferably one that didn’t get civilians caught in the crossfire. “We should grab one so we can see who sent them to kill us.”

“They have to be nearby,” Marina said. “Maybe Ice can find their signal.”

“Sure,” Ice said. “Just as soon as one isn’t trying to kill me. Oh, and also, I left all my tech in the car.”

“Did you get shot?”

Adam’s lips curled up. Of course, Marina would immediately peg the reason that Ice was being surly.

Ice said, “Nix got shot more than me. He’s bleeding.”

“We’re all fine.” Adam didn’t need them getting derailed with things that weren’t relevant.

Steph said, “By the time we get outside, our car will probably be blocked in by the cops. It’ll be hours before they clear the scene and we can leave.”

“I’ll come back for the stuff later,” Ice said.

Adam figured that was a good call. “We need to draw the drones away from people. It was busy outside, and someone could get hurt.”

Kai ducked into the space. “You think he got out this way?”

Ice was almost to the end. Steph, next in line after him, said, “If he smudged the closet with blood, he was either injured and on the run or he was leaving a message for whoever might come after him looking to find out what happened.”

“Pretty risky move,” Adam said. “Letting everyone know where he went.”

“It was a clue, but who knows whose blood it even is.” Steph let out a tight breath.

“Did you get hit?”

She fired back, “I’m not the one bleeding.”

Adam looked down at his arm, which stung and was getting stiff. Also, now he was the one smearing blood on places, and it would be his DNA left at the scene. If anyone found this secret exit, that was.

“Stairs,” Ice called back from the end of the hallway. “I’m heading down.”

“I’m in traffic cams and building security.” Marina’s voice crackled with static. “Police are out front. The drones are too small to see on this feed, but I think there’s one hovering on each side of the building.”

“The cops will probably try to take them out,” Adam said.

“The drones will return fire.” Steph looked at him, concern on her face.

Marina said, “Steph?”

“Yes.”

“It is you.”

“It is?” Steph said.

“Nice to meet you,” Marina said.