Free The Manolo Matrix by Julie Kenner

said. “But we’ll try to figure it out.” He squinted at me. “You’re sure you didn’t give the cops your name or address, right? When you called 911?”
    I stopped, looked at him sideways. “No. I swear. I already told you.”
    He nodded. “Good. But I gotta say, I still wonder…” He trailed off, then waved a hand, dismissing his thought.
    “What?” I demanded, alarmed.
    “Nothing. Nothing.”
    “Andrew…”
    He exhaled. “Look, I’m glad you came to me. I really am. I can help you. And by coming to me, you’re probably helping others, too.”
    “But…?” I prompted.
    “But nothing. It’s fine. I was just wondering—what with Mel working at the NSA and me working with
    Mel—I was just wondering if maybe I’m…well, if maybe I’m considered an authority, too.”
    “Oh, shit,” I said. “I didn’t think. I didn’t know.” I stood up, mortified and ready to go—where I didn’t know. He made pushing motions with his hands, gesturing me to sit back down.
    “No, no. It’s okay.”
    “Is it? What happens if I call in the cops, anyway?”
    “The rules change,” he said. “Call in the cops, and suddenly the protector is fair game, just like the target.”
    “Oh.” Considering I was the protector in this particular game, I didn’t much like that scenario.
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    “Well, then.”
    And right then, someone pounded hard at the front door.
    I screamed.
    “It’s okay, it’s okay,” Andrew said, hopping to his feet. “It’s just my dinner.”
    My hand was over my mouth, and I nodded. I was wiped. Ripped apart from the inside. And even though Andrew had said it was okay—that he wanted to help me—I still felt completely alone.
    Andrew came back with a plastic bag and a Styrofoam cup. He sat them on the table, then started pulling out containers of Chinese food. “Want some?”
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    I shook my head.
    “Up to you.” He sat back in the chair and took a long drag of the soda through the straw.
    “So what do we do now?” I asked. “Find Agent Brady, right? And then what?”
    “Then, I think the best thing would be to—shit!”
    The soda tumbled to the ground, and his free hand went up to slap at his neck.
    “Oh, shit. Oh, God. Get it out. Jesus, Jenn! Get it the fuck out of me!”
    I jumped to my feet, but I didn’t know what he was talking about. Then he shifted, the hand moved, and
    I saw it. A dart, the metal end stuck deep in his neck, and blood trailing from the wound.
    I was beside him in seconds, but his eyes were already rolling back in his head.
    “Tired,” he whispered, as I yanked the thing out. “The window. God, the open window.”
    I should have been worried that there was a dart out there with my name on it, but all I could think about was making sure Andy was okay. I raced across the room to the kitchen area, hoping I’d see a phone. I
    did, then called 911. I stayed on long enough to make sure the dispatcher understood that someone had been shot and to confirm the address. Then I hung up and went back to Andy.
    This time, I was more cautious, staying below the windowsill until I reached him. Then I grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him out of range.
    He moaned, and I said a silent prayer.
    “Tranq,” he whispered. “Get out. Before they get here. Find Brady. No more cops. Dart probably meant…for you…”
    He was struggling for words now, and I had to lean close just to hear him. “No choice, Jenn…Play…the game…”
    And then he was gone.
    I heard a whimper and realized it was coming from me. I leaned over, listening to his chest, relieved to hear the slow but steady pulse of his heart.
    And then, in the distance, I heard something else.
    Sirens.
    I stood up, my legs shaky as I glanced back at Andy. I hesitated only a second before grabbing my tote.
    Then I ran.

Chapter
14
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    JENNIFER
    Agent