by Alton Reich
Jordan was leaning against the outside of the front door of one of their rented Tauruses while Kleinberg sat in the back seat trying to calm her down. After waiting a few minutes, Martin pulled out his phone and made a call.
"What do you think happens next?" Leo asked him from his pearch on the hood.
"I'm not sure," Jordan said thoughtfully, "I'm very tempted to call an anonymous tip into the New York Times."
"You wouldn't, would you?" Zenya asked.
Jordan shrugged, "I'm tempted."
A cell phone rang, and the three agents each reach into their jackets. "It's me," Jordan announced pulling out his phone and turning it on. "Hello, Stern speaking."
[It's me,] Jim said on the other end, [We were attacked and Vanessa is bleeding, but I can't find a wound.]
"Hang on, Leo and I will be there in a few minutes."
[I'll meet you half way.]
"No," Jordan said firmly, "You can't help Vanessa out and defend yourself at the same time."
[Understood, but hurry.]
"We will," Jordan said hanging up. He turned to Zenya, "Call 911. Venessa's hurt, and we're going to need an ambulence. Leo, we're going back in."
Leo grabbed his rifle from where it was laying next to him on the hood of the car, and he followed Jordan back into the tunnel at a trot.
"Be careful!" Zenya called pulling out her phone and turning it on.
Martin ended his phone call and turned to Zenya, "What did I miss?"
"Vanessa's hurt. Jordan and Leo went back in to get her and Jim out."
***
[About 10 minutes later]
Jim heard the pounding of feet and looked in the direction the sound was coming from with his gun ready. A light shone in the darkness and a moment later he could make out Jordan and Leo running toward him.
They stopped and Jordan leaned down next to Vanessa, "How are you?"
"I... I'm not sure," Vanessa replied.
"The bleeding has slowed," Jim observed.
Jordan nodded curtly, "Let's get the hell out of here." He stood up and bent over Vanessa, "If this is uncomfortable, let me know." He picked her up over his back in a fireman's carry and waited a moment for Leo to take the lead heading back down the tunnel before falling in behind him.
NRPG:
Sau Woon: I wanted to leave Vanessa's condition up to you.
Sydnie & Krister: What are the odds that the ambulence is followed by a couple of vans full of men in black suits?
Jeff: Any interesting things happen on the way out?