Deadly Dance Read Free

would prefer to avoid.”
    “I assure you, Ms. Andrews,” DuBois said, lowering the loupe, his gaze probing, “my reputation is built on discretion.”
    “Absolutely,” she soothed, trying to figure out a way to get him in front of the window. Time was running out.“That’s why I chose you. Maybe you could show me these so-called anomalies?”
    “Of course.” His smile this time seemed genuine.
    “Could we move into the light?” she asked, answering his smile and nodding at the fluorescent fixture on the ceiling in front of the window. “I’m afraid my untrained eyes need all the help they can get.”
    “That’s totally understandable. It takes years to be able to identify a master.” He picked up the painting and carried it over to where she was standing beneath the light. She made a play of looking at the painting as he explained the things that didn’t conform with Monet’s style.
    Heart pounding, she shifted slightly, forcing him to turn his back to the window. “It’s really amazing,” she said, the words her cue to Annie. “It almost doesn’t matter who painted it.”
    “Yes, well, I suppose in a perfect world that would be true. But in actuality—” DuBois’s words were cut short as the window exploded, glass flying through the air like shrapnel. The man’s eyes widened for a moment and then he fell to the floor as another volley of bullets strafed the walls.
    “What the hell?” Hannah barked into the comlink, hitting the ground, glass cutting into her knees and palms as the gunfire continued.
    “It’s not us,” Avery said, her earpiece crackling to life. “And those sure as hell aren’t tranquilizers. The operation’s been compromised. What about DuBois?”
    “He’s down.” She twisted to reach over and check his pulse. “Damn it. He’s dead.” More shots rang out, and she ducked lower as a second wave of glass rained down on her.
    “Hannah, get the hell out of there,” Harrison’s worried voice broke in. “Now.”
    “I’m working on it,” she said, already crawling toward the door. “Have you still got visual on the building?”
    “Hang on,” he said, his worry carrying over the airwaves. “We’re taking fire—” One minute Harrison was there and the next he was gone, her ear filled with the sound of static.
    “Harrison?” she called, still inching forward, the glass cutting with every move. “Avery?” She was almost at the door. “Can anyone hear me?”
    For a moment, silence stretched almost palpably, and then all hell broke loose again as the gunmen resumed their barrage. Hannah reached for the doorknob, ducking back down as the shooters ricocheted a bullet off it. After a silent count of three, she tried again, this time managing to get the damn thing open.
    The hallway outside was quiet, and, fortunately, devoid of windows, but she still had to make her way out of the building. And if A-Tac was taking fire in both positions that meant there had to be more than one group of shooters and that she was well and truly pinned.
    Wincing as she straightened, she started for the elevator and then stopped, switching directions as she heard the telltale ding at the end of the hall. Heading for the stairway now, she sprinted forward, her heels and tight skirt impeding her progress. Angrily, she grabbed the hem of the skirt, tearing straight upward until she’d created a slit that allowed her to move more easily.
    Then she removed the heels. Christian somebody or other. Madeline and Alexis would have a fit if they knew that Hannah was ditching them. But they were milesaway, and, at the moment, the shoes were anything but practical. So with a quick toss, she sent them flying back into the office as she passed, the leather exploding as the motion caused a renewed hail of bullets, red soles spinning as the pumps careened onto the floor.
    At least they’d think she was still stuck in the office.
    Behind her, she heard the doors to the elevator sliding open and just