Page 124 of Seven Deadly Sins

The other nurses watched in horror as she held the shard in front of her and shuffled to the elevator. Inside, she demanded the nurse arriving for her shift to strip and give Lucy her scrubs. When she did, Lucy bashed her head into the elevator wall, then waltzed into the hospital lobby and out the sliding entrance doors.

She chose an older model car from those in the parking lot and hotwired it. With a huge grin on her face, she sped toward Robert’s compound. The man would not be happy to see her. It was more likely he’d breathed a sigh of relief to hear about her arrest.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t returning with the woman he’d hoped to convert. No problem. Once Lucy was healed from her wounds, she’d simply kidnap him another one.

First thing she did upon arriving was visit Robert in his office. She laughed at the startled look on his face when she walked in.

“How did you get out?”

“Dear Robert. Nothing can keep me where I don’t want to be.” She slowly lowered herself into a chair opposite him, groaning as the stitches in her side pulled. “At least pretend you’re glad to see me.”

“You’re useless in your condition.” He poured a glass of whiskey and handed her one before pouring another for himself. “The woman?”

“Free.” She shrugged. “Give me a week and you’ll have another one.”

“I can’t wait a week. Things need to speed up.”

“Fine. Give me three days.” She downed the liquor, then pushed to her feet. “Find your target by then. I’ll be ready.”

~

Liam wished for an old-fashioned phone with a hand receiver so he could slam it back into place. “Lucy escaped the hospital, killing the guard and a nurse.”

“What?” Harper frowned. “That’s impossible.”

“Not if you’re willing to make some noise.” He ran both hands through his hair. “She broke the bathroom mirror and used the glass as a weapon.” He dropped into his chair. “We didn’t need this when we’re facing a potential sting operation tonight.” Add in the fact that he hadn’t gotten as many bodies to help as he’d wanted; that meant they’d have a very long night.

His director had sent two more agents. Oakdale PD had four, counting Harper. Langley, since they were busy with the hospital murders, only lent them two more. With him and Black, that gave them eight to bring in how ever many crazy people showed up.

He rubbed his hands up and down his face. “We need to get some rest before tonight.”

“I could handle a couple of hours sleep myself. You want the sofa in the conference room or the break room?”

“Conference room if you don’t mind. I’m a lighter sleeper than you.”

She stood. “You got it. Set your alarm for two o’clock.”

Between the time it took to fall asleep and the time his alarm went off, he’d gotten a little under two hours sleep. While he could use a lot more, he felt refreshed enough to face the evening.

Harper had coffee ready when he entered the break room. “Get enough sleep?” She handed him a cup of black coffee.

“Not in the least. You?”

“Could use ten more.” Her weary gaze met his over the rim of her cup. “How early do you want all of us in place tonight?”

“At least an hour early in case anyone shows up before nine. We also need to set up the place to actually look as if there will be a meeting.” He glanced at the clock. “You and I could go now and take care of setting up.”

“Okay.” She took two thermoses from a shelf over her head. “As soon as I fill these. We’re going to need the caffeine. What about transport?”

“I’ve got two vans arriving.” Hopefully, it would be enough. He had no idea how many people would show up, if any. They really were grasping at straws.

Thermoses filled, Harper headed for the jeep. Liam drove them to the address and parked a building away. The two of them had gone to so many places in her vehicle that he didn’t want to take any chances of one of the arrivals to recognize it as theirs.

The former church had left behind twenty folding chairs. Liam set them into rows while Harper set battery-operated lights around the room. A battered podium dragged to the front of the chairs completed the sketchy meeting place.

By the time they finished, the rest of the law enforcement officers had arrived and taken their places in the shadows or rooms off to the sides. They’d all wait until nine-thirty before stepping out and blocking the exit to keep anyone from escaping.

He sat behind a counter that had once been a coffee bar and took Harper’s hand. “This is going to be a success.”

---