Mind of Danger (Body of Danger #3) - Sidney Bristol Page 0,30

had probably never shot a person in his life; maybe he hadn’t even held a gun.

Good for him.

The world didn’t necessarily need more of Elias’s ilk.

“Yes, I work for Aegis Group, but I’m not here for my company,” he said.

“Elias,” Jo snapped.

Where was Isaac? Why wasn’t he chiming in? What was the guy up to?

Torres’ shoulders dropped. “Oh thank God.”

“What’s really going on here?” Elias asked.

“I don’t know. Honestly. They activated security protocol five, which secures all doors in the building, unless you have a master key.”

“You have a master key?” He found that hard to believe. A sales rep holding something that powerful?

Torres glanced away. “There was a mix up when I was hired. Another new guy made a mistake. I... I like to go into the executive break room and get a coffee on Monday mornings, okay? Sue me.”

Elias had never been more grateful for typical human greed in his life. “Let’s see it. Can we get out of here using it?”

“Maybe we could have if I were here when they implemented protocol five, but...they’ve sent out,” he lifted his hands and used his fingers to do air quotes, “the special division.”

“Elias, those armed guys are going floor by floor. We’ve got to do something soon,” Jo said.

“What other security protocols are there?” Elias took a step toward Torres.

“Just seven, which locks down the choke points on each floor and access between floors. It’s supposed to help if there’s a fire or break-in—”

“I’m familiar with the theory. Jo, look for security protocol seven and activate it. Then see what you can do to lock admin access. Can you do that?”

“Maybe? Barely? I don’t know.” Jo’s voice was frantic and he could hear keystrokes in the back.

“Jo?” Torres parroted.

“I can do that,” Isaac said out of nowhere.

“You’ve got to be shitting me. I’m not trusting you,” Jo said.

“Your assistant?” Torres asked.

Elias held up his hand to stall Torres from speaking.

“Jo, hold a gun on him. If you don’t like what he’s doing, shoot him. Or let the special division shoot him. They don’t look friendly.” Elias focused on Torres and blocked out the back and forth between Jo and Isaac. “I’ve got two people with me. They’re going to get us a way out of here. But I need more from you. What’s the special division for?”

“I don’t know.” Torres threw up his hands. “I’ve asked before. They aren’t on any sales sheet I’ve ever seen, and I’m the top sales person. They won’t tell me anything, except it’s none of my business. But...”

“But?”

Torres grimaced and glanced around. “Something’s just not right here.”

“What do you mean, not right?”

Torres paced a few feet away, then spun, hand covering his mouth. “I’ve been here for three years. Most people don’t last more than two here, so I’m unusual outside of the executives. Over the last three years, eight of my biggest clients have suddenly gone belly up.”

“Dead?”

“No, they go bankrupt or lose a ton of money and can’t afford us anymore. None of it makes sense. A few weeks before each account was closed, someone from the executive level will come and ask for their file, saying they want to show them appreciation or whatever. They don’t do this for everyone.”

“You think—what? They’re using all this information you have on these people to protect them as blackmail?” The pieces were falling into place in Elias’s head.

Torres shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“Security protocol seven activated,” Jo cheered. The sound was cut short. “Shit. Elias, there are three headed your way. They aren’t looking at anything. I think... I think they know where you are.”

“Leave the office, go two doors down on your left and hide in there,” Isaac ordered.

“Key?” Elias held out his hand.

Torres only hesitated a half second before thrusting it into Elias’s hand.

Elias cracked open the office door and peered out on the now empty hall. He reached back and grabbed a handful of Torres’ jacket, hauling the younger man after him.

Harsh voices drifted to them, coming closer.

They weren’t speaking English. That backed up what Isaac had said about them being connected to the Russian side of things.

Elias swiped the keycard over the door two down and ducked into the dark room. It wasn’t even an office, just a closet. He shoved the door shut behind Torres and moved to the side, drawing his weapon in the pitch darkness of the closet.

“What are we doing? What’s happening?” Torres whispered.

“I’ll fill you in when we get out. Quiet,” Elias whispered.

The