Page 44 - DeepRestFlipFinal

NICHOLAS BOOTHMAN
The door burst inward sending shards of wood
across the floor.
Two figures stood silhouetted against the dim
clinic hallway. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in
dark, nondescript suits. Their faces were obscured by
the shadows, but Evelyn felt their presence like a
physical chill. Not thugs. Professionals.
"Dr. Evelyn Hayes," a voice devoid of emotion,
rumbled. It was a man’s voice, calm, almost polite.
"We've been expecting you."
She didn't answer. Her mind raced. What did they
want? The data? The book? Or her?
One of the men stepped forward, his hand
reaching beneath his jacket.
"Don't move," Evelyn commanded, her voice
surprisingly steady. She raised the lamp, a pathetic
weapon, but a weapon nonetheless.
The man paused, a glitter of amusement in his
eyes. "Put it down, Doctor. This can be easy, or it can
be… difficult."
Her gaze shifted to Liam, still cowering behind
the desk. She couldn't let them get him. He was a
witness. A patient. And now, a liability.
"What do you want?" she demanded, stalling for
time.
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