Page 61 of The Lazarus Protocol

The elevator doors opened.

“Didn’t I say that?” She stepped out and turned to them. “I haven’t done anything that would put any of you at risk.”

Adam lifted one brow.

“Except that. And I was under orders, okay? There wasn’t much I could do except get the job done, and that meant pointing a gun at you.”

He considered that. “There’s plenty you can do when the job is something you don’t want.”

She scoffed. “You guys were in the military. You followed orders, didn’t you?”

Kai chimed in, “That might be why we’re not currently in the military.”

“Speak for yourself.” Dan glanced at Steph. “I never enlisted.”

Kai shrugged and headed down the hall to Johannsen’s flat, which was most of the way down to the end. Number 23. “My man, Jay!” The two shook, hugging it out in the hallway like this was a social call.

Jay’s attention settled on Adam. “Apartment is clear. Your buddy isn’t here.”

Adam nodded.

“Next stop, local hospitals. Police station. Morgues. That kind of thing.” Jay tucked his fingers in his jeans pockets. “He doesn’t have next of kin.”

“Call Marina. See if she can do some poking around for you.”

“Sounds like they’re in the thick of something.” Jay sent a questioning glance at Steph.

“We’ve discovered mutual interests,” Adam said. “For now.”

Jay nodded. “I’ll catch up.”

“I’ll go with,” Dan said. “The three of them are good here.”

“There are four of us.” Steph put a hand on her hip. “Adam, Ice, Kai, and myself.”

“Right.” Dan looked at Adam. “Later.” He headed back to the elevator with Jay.

Adam tipped his head. “Let’s take a look at the flat.”

Kai picked the lock, and Ice drew a weapon.

“Didn’t Jay already check the place out?” Steph asked. “Or is Ice the paranoid one of the group?”

Kai grinned. “Definitely paranoid. Surprised he doesn’t wear a foil hat.”

Adam said, “Go clear the back rooms.”

Kai snapped a salute. “Yessir.”

Adam let out a sigh, trying to decide if he should apologize for the guy or if she thought Kai’s antics were endearing.

“Never a dull moment?” She stepped into the flat.

“Problem is, a dull moment sounds nice.” Adam closed the front door and looked around. This wasn’t anything like what he’d expected from Johannsen. But then again, he wasn’t sure what he had been expecting. Certainly not chrome accents, white vinyl furniture, and a gray couch. The artwork on the wall was textured white.

“Pretty sure we could all use a vacation.”

“I’d think the CIA has rules about that,” Adam said. “So you don’t get burned out.”