Stalked - By Allison Brennan Page 0,96
delicatessen and the patrons all stared at Sean when he walked straight through to the back ushering Peter in front of him.
He glanced once over his shoulder and saw a woman walk into the shop and glance around. He hadn’t met Alexis Sanchez, aka Alexis Todd, when he’d visited Quantico the other day, but he had to assume that it was her—the same woman who’d passed herself off to Peter as Cami Jones for over a year.
The staff in the back yelled at Sean, “Get out! We’ll call the police!”
Sean ignored them and continued maneuvering Peter through the kitchen, then the crammed supply room to the back door. He glanced through the security screen before opening it and slipping out with Peter.
“I should talk to her.”
“No,” Sean said.
“There has to be a reason.”
She’s a nut job. “Let’s get you safe. Then I’ll tell you everything.”
Peter hesitated, and Sean grabbed his arm and pulled him along. It was like he was in a daze, unsure what was going on or who to trust.
“Do you trust Charlie?”
“He saved my life.”
“Then trust me.”
Sean didn’t know if both of the Todds were trailing them or if they had spotted him when he got out of the rental car. He couldn’t risk going back to 3rd Avenue, so he asked, “Where’s the closest subway station?”
“Ninety-fifth. It’s only two blocks away.”
“Let’s get moving.
Sean monitored their surroundings, assessing anyone who looked out of place. It was getting darker, which would help them disappear in the streets if necessary. But right now at dusk he felt too exposed.
He saw Alexis emerge from the shop and look both ways before she saw them. She picked up speed in the alley.
Sean waited until he and Peter turned the corner from the alley to the street, then said, “Faster.”
Sean had pre-purchased two MetroCards when he and Lucy were in New York on Saturday. He hadn’t thought they’d need them but didn’t like to go unprepared. He was glad he had them now.
He rounded the corner and they rushed down the steps to the 95th Street subway station. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a church and considered detouring there but dismissed it—he didn’t know the layout, and considering it was near dark, the church might be locked. Sean didn’t see Alexis, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t there or that she might not assume they went to the subway.
“Is there another entrance to the subway?”
“Yes.”
Either they could exit from the other side or Alexis could come down the other entrance and trap them. In fact, if both Alexis and Kip were trailing them, they could be boxed in. Damn, he shouldn’t have come down here!
“Stay close.”
Sean glanced at the subway map. They were at the end of the R Line.
He said, “We’re taking the first train and getting off at the next stop.”
“How did they find me?” Peter asked. “Did they follow you?” He didn’t seem hostile, but there was an accusatory tone.
“They’ve been tracking you. Have been since March.”
Peter shook his head, but his eyes told Sean he believed him. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” He moved Peter to behind a pillar. Sean could see one of the main staircases, and the other was partly in view.
“I think I knew,” he said quietly.
Sean sent Lucy and Noah a quick text message.
At 95th St. Subway, Brook. Have PM. ATS pursuing.
“A couple of times I thought someone was watching me,” Peter continued, “but I’d been hiding for so long I didn’t trust my instincts anymore. Do they know where I live?”
“Assume they do. No one followed me.”
“Charlie told you everything?”
“I needed to know what you faced in Syracuse, why you changed your name.”
“I don’t understand why these people are coming after me.”
“You and me both.” Sean heard a train coming far down the tunnel. He didn’t see Alexis or Kip on the stairs. There were only two people waiting, together, for the train. It was a quiet Monday night.
“Get ready,” he whispered. “Follow my orders.”
The train was closer, ten seconds or less. Peter took a step toward the platform and Sean grabbed his arm. “Stay.”
“FBI! Don’t move!”
It was a female voice. Peter looked perplexed and turned to look toward the voice.
“No,” Sean said, but it was too late.
Alexis was running down the stairs, gun drawn.
“FBI! Everyone down.”
Shit.
The train was pulling fast into the station. Alexis glanced at it, and Sean pictured the attack against Theissen at the subway station in Queens. Was she planning on using the train as a diversion