Page 50 of Rules of Engagement

"Works for me," agreed Maddox. "Are you armed?"

"No. I left my gun at the hospital with Delgado. You?"

"Always. Stick with me."

"No problem."

Maddox turned onto the street where the hospital was situated and then into the parking lot. Fortunately, the front parking lot was filled with the day's patients and visitors so it wasn't strange that we passed it and turned onto the east wing's lesser used lot. It wasn't a very popular area, and a little further to walk to the main entrance, and it had numerous bays marked for hospital employees, marking it harder for visitors to park. Maddox slid the car into a space next to the sidewalk and we both jumped out, aiming for the broad, brick pillars.

"Do you see the car?" I asked as we slipped behind one close to the hospital and hidden by the deep shadow.

"It followed us to the parking lot. I can't see without ducking my head around this pillar."

I reached into my purse and pulled out my compact mirror, flipping the lid and using it to peek around the pillar, angling it so I could see the reflection. The car had pulled in behind Maddox's SUV and a man wearing jeans, a zipped-up jacket and a baseball cap climbed out. He covered his eyes with his hand and searched the area. "Just one man. His face is covered. He's looking around. Now, he's walking forwards." I angled the mirror again, following his progress until he stepped into the pillared area, and I lowered my voice to a whisper. My heart thumped. "He stopped. I think he realized we didn't walk into the entrance."

"How do you feel about approaching him?" whispered Maddox.

My stomach roiled. "Not good."

"I know, but you won't be in any danger. When he gets to that next pillar, you step out. I'll circle around and cover him from the back," said Maddox. He slid his gun from his holster and readied it. "Go," he said.

I stepped out and the man, who was little more than eight feet away, stopped. "Lexi Graves?" he asked.

There was something oddly familiar about his voice, but I couldn't quite place it.

"You've been following us," I said, avoiding his question.

"I wanted to make sure it was you. It is you?" he said, taking another step forward and reaching behind him. My heart thumped faster.

"Not another step," said Maddox behind him.

The man stilled. "What the hell is this?" he asked.

"Take your hand out your pocket and put it above your head. Both of them," ordered Maddox as I stood there, immobilized.

"Okay, man," said the stranger. He lifted his hands above his head. One hand held something small and dark, too small and square for a gun.

"I was just getting my wallet," he said as Maddox approached him and plucked it from his hand. "I'm Damien. Damien Solomon."

Maddox flipped open the wallet and checked something inside before stepping back and circling around the man, with the gun still pointed at him. He checked again, and looked at the man, then passed the wallet to me. A driver's license was inside a transparent window. I looked at the photo and squinted at the man in the dim light. "Damien?" I said, a sense of utter relief flooding me. He was a little shorter than Solomon, and broader, but there was no mistaking his brown eyes.

"I spoke with you about John. I came as soon as I... Hey, can I put my hands down now? I'd really like to see my brother. Who are you?" he asked, nodding to Maddox.

"Sure," said Maddox, holstering his weapon. "Special Agent Maddox. I'm Lexi's..." he stopped, glancing at me before adding, "friend," and smiling at me.

"That's right," I agreed. My relief made me almost giddy. I was so glad that no one got shot.

"I'll walk you both up to him, and if you sneak up on Lexi again, I'll also be the one to shoot you first," added Maddox.

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