*Chapter 9: The Alley*
388 Words
The rain hit harder in the alley.
Clover’s lungs burned. Eli still had her hand. He didn’t let go until they were three blocks away, tucked behind a dumpster that smelled like rot and gasoline.
He finally looked at her.
“You okay?”
“No.” Her voice shook. “The FBI just broke into my apartment, Nolan was at my door, and you—” She yanked her hand back. “You were supposed to be in prison.”
Eli leaned against the brick wall. Water dripped from his hair down his jaw. He looked tired. And dangerous.
“I got out 6 hours ago. Case was dropped. Not enough evidence.”
“Bullshit.”
“Check the news later.”
Her phone buzzed again.
`Nolan: I’m at your place. It’s trashed. Clover please answer me.`
Clover’s thumb hovered.
Eli saw it. “Don’t.”
“He’s—” She stopped. What was Nolan to her? Her partner? The guy who brought her coffee every morning? “He’s FBI. He’s looking for me.”
“Is he?” Eli stepped closer. “Then why did you run with me?”
Because she didn’t know.
Because for 2 seconds at that door, trusting Nolan in a vest with a gun felt more dangerous than trusting the man accused of killing her brother.
A police siren wailed two streets over.
“They’ll be checking cameras,” Eli said. “We need to move.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere the FBI won’t look.” He pulled a key from his pocket. A motel key. Room 8. “My brother used to hide there. No cameras.”
Clover didn’t take it.
“Why are you helping me?”
Eli’s jaw ticked. For a second he looked 17 again. The boy from her brother’s photos.
“Because I didn’t kill him, Clover. And the person who did is still out there. And they’re coming for you next.”
The siren got closer.
Eli pressed the key into her palm. His fingers were freezing.
“Room 8. 20 minutes. Come alone. Or don’t come at all.”
He disappeared down the alley before she could answer.
Clover stood there, rain soaking her, holding a motel key and her buzzing phone.
Nolan: `I’m scared. Please.`
Eli: _gone_
She had to choose.
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