Chapter 4
Hassan bent closer.
“You will say on camera that America abandoned you.”
Alexis smiled faintly.
That smile made his jaw tighten.
Before he could speak again, one of the guards outside the cell turned toward the security monitor.
His face changed.
“Commander…”
Hassan did not turn.
“What?”
The guard stepped closer to the screen.
The hallway outside the cell block was empty.
Too empty.
The man stationed at the stairwell was gone.
His rifle lay on the floor.
The guard’s voice cracked.
“Commander… one of our men is gone.”
Hassan spun around.
At the same time, Alexis stood.
The movement was slow.
Controlled.
The darkness behind her seemed to rise with her.
In her right hand was the small piece of metal from the tray.
The guard who had slapped her stumbled back.
Hassan looked at her hand.
Then at her face.
Alexis whispered, “Told you.”
The lights flickered once.
Somewhere above them, a muffled thud shook dust from the ceiling.
The guards raised their weapons toward the corridor.
Hassan backed out of the cell.
“Lock it.”
But the guard at the door froze.
His key ring was gone.
Alexis lifted her left hand.
The ring dangled from one finger.
She had taken it when he slapped her.
No one had seen it.
No one except the camera.
May you like
And the camera had been looking the wrong way.
Read Part 5 to see what Alexis knew about the prison before Hassan ever questioned her.
