The Hunted

68

On the off chance Scarponi’s henchmen would come looking for him, Bradley fabricated an excuse and moved Lauren to a different motel, the Days Inn in downtown D.C. They checked in under the assumed names of Adrienne and Chad Kendall and paid cash in advance. Bradley told the night clerk they had a child, and they were given a room with two double beds.

From the next morning until four-thirty in the afternoon, Lauren sat in the room flipping the television channels, passing time while Bradley was out attempting to arrange a rendezvous with Michael. She was to wait in the room in the event he needed her to meet with a Bureau official. He explained it would be best if he went alone because he might need to stretch the truth, and it was easier for one person to lie than for two to coordinate their stories on the fly.

Meanwhile, Lauren remained on edge, listening to the news repeat the top story of the day — of the month, and perhaps the past few months. Even though she knew it was untrue, it bothered her to hear, over and over, what a tragic death her husband had endured. Not until one of the stations mentioned Harper Payne’s former wife and child did the full impact of Michael’s private, past life hit her. How she would deal with this she did not know. But for the moment, it was something she chose not to think about. First and foremost, she wanted Michael back.

A half hour ago she had ventured over to the window for the umpteenth time and gazed out at the charcoal blotches of clouds hanging against the gray sky. Although it only had been a little before four, the black clouds hovering above were bringing darkness a bit earlier.

With the Colt resting on her lap and the television volume turned low, a loud knock on the door broke the tedium and made her heart drop down to her stomach. She grabbed the handle of her weapon and slid off the bed.

“It’s me,” Bradley said through the door. “I’m coming in.”

Lauren listened as he slipped his magnetic key card in the lock and opened the door. His face was taut, and as he stood there straddling the threshold, Lauren knew something was brewing.

“We’ve got to go,” Bradley said. “Now.”