Chapter 163

Eli drifts in and out of darkness, the last clear memory the sound of Lucia screaming his name and the wet grass beneath him. Sirens wail somewhere far away, voices overlap in shouts, and then everything fades to nothing. He feels himself pulled back now by the steady beep of machines and the sterile smell of a hospital room. His chest burns with every shallow breath. Tubes pull at his arm and something tight wraps around his torso. He tries to move and pain flares hot across his upper body.

He opens his eyes slowly. The room comes into focus with its white walls and monitoring equipment. David Reid is standing near the window speaking in low tones with Zeke.

“I am still trying to trace the cleaning service vehicle they used,” Zeke is saying. “It was a professional job. The plates were fake and the van disappeared off every camera within three blocks.”

David crosses his arms. “Find out exactly how many people had access to Miller while he was in that cell. And w