*Chapter 8: Back Door*
299 Words
Clover’s hand was on the doorknob.
“FBI. Open up.”
Three hard knocks shook the door.
And underneath it, quieter:
“Clover. Open the door. It’s me.”
Nolan.
Her breath caught.
Eli was already moving. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
“Back door. Now.”
The knocking came again. Louder.
“Miss Reyes! We know you’re in there!”
Clover looked at the front door. Then at Eli.
Rain dripped from his hair onto her floor. The man who was supposed to be in prison.
“Go,” he whispered. “I’ll explain later.”
She didn’t argue.
She ran.
The back door led to the fire escape. Cold metal under her bare feet. Rain on her skin.
Behind them, the sound of wood splintering.
“FBI! Hands where we can see them!”
Eli shut the back door behind them but didn’t lock it.
“Down,” he said. And they dropped to the landing.
Footsteps inside. Heavy boots.
“Clear! No one’s here!”
Clover pressed her back to the cold wall. Her heart was so loud she was sure they could hear it.
Eli didn’t look at her. His eyes were on the alley below.
“Two agents. One in the kitchen. One by the window.”
“How do you—”
“Shh.”
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
`Nolan: Clover? The door’s open. Where are you??`
Another voice from inside. Agent Carter.
“The place is empty. But someone was just here. Coffee’s still warm.”
Silence.
Then: “Check the back.”
Eli grabbed Clover’s hand.
“Move.”
They ran down the fire escape. Two flights.
Hit the alley just as a flashlight beam cut across the window above them.
They didn’t stop running.
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