The echo of boots. The men were closing in. When they reached the end of the alley, Street Luke’s steeple rose ahead like a promise.
He pushed through the heavy doors, breathless. The church was empty except for flickering candles and the faint sound of organ music from a distant room. Pastor Jerome emerged from the side hall, wiping his hands.
Ethan Walker, he said, surprised. Haven’t seen you since your name was all over the news. Long story.
Ethan panted. We need a place to hide for now. Jerome’s gaze shifted to Anna, and then to Loretta, who’d just entered behind them.
He nodded once. God’s house doesn’t turn away the hunted. Come.
Ethan followed him to a small room behind the sanctuary. As the door closed, thunder rolled over Harlem. For the first time in weeks, Ethan felt something new rising inside him.
Not fear this time, but resolve. Greg Sanders wanted war. He’d just found out Ethan Walker had something stronger than money, stronger than lies.
He had truth and something to live for, and he wasn’t running anymore. The rain turned into a storm by nightfall. Thunder rolled above Harlem, and lightning flashed through the stained glass windows of Street Luke’s church, painting streaks of red and blue light across the walls.
Ethan stood near the back room window, peering through the curtains. The black sedan was still parked across the street. Two silhouettes sat inside, unmoving, like shadows waiting for permission to strike.
Pastor Jerome stood beside him, his arms crossed. You brought danger with you, Ethan. I didn’t mean to, Ethan said quietly.
But it’s here anyway, the pastor nodded. Evil doesn’t need an invitation, it just needs opportunity. Loretta sat on a wooden pew, praying softly.
Anna was curled up beside her, clutching her stuffed rabbit, eyes heavy with exhaustion. Ethan looked at her, and felt the familiar ache in his chest, the same one he’d felt on that bridge, before everything changed. But this time, it wasn’t despair.
It was fear. Fear of losing her. Pastor Jerome placed a heavy hand on Ethan’s shoulder.
You could leave the city tonight, he said. I have friends who can get you out quiet. Take the girl, and disappear until it’s safe.
Ethan shook his head. Running won’t fix this. If I vanish, Greg wins.
He gets to keep everything his money, his reputation, his lies. And Janelle’s death means nothing. The pastor studied him for a moment.
You sound like a man ready to face the storm. I am, Ethan said, his jaw set. But I won’t let the storm take her with me.
As the night deepened, the church grew quiet. Loretta dozed off beside Anna. Pastor Jerome lit a candle, and left it burning at the altar.
Ethan sat in the back, thinking of Jennifer and the files now in her possession. If she’d reached Agent Klein by now, they might have a chance. But Greg’s reach was long, and his threats were real.
A noise broke through the silence a soft tap against glass. Ethan turned toward the window. Another tap.
He stood, heart pounding. Jerome stepped beside him, whispering, Stay behind me. The window cracked open an inch.
Ethan, a voice hissed, It’s me, Jennifer. She slipped inside, soaked from the rain, her hair plastered to her face. We need to move now.
Ethan grabbed her arm. What happened? They know. Greg’s people intercepted my call to Klein.
The Bureau’s compromised. He’s got someone on the inside feeding him information. I barely got out.
Does he know where we are? Jennifer nodded grimly. They followed me here. You’ve got ten minutes.
Maybe less. Ethan’s blood ran cold. He looked toward the pews where Anna slept, blissfully unaware.
We can’t let them find her. Loretta stirred awake as he spoke. What’s wrong? Ethan kelped beside her.
We’re leaving. Now. Jerome stepped forward.
There’s a service tunnel under the choir loft. Old Prohibition Route. Comes out by the river.
You can get out unseen. Jennifer checked her watch. We’ll need to move fast.
As thunder cracked overhead, they gathered their few belongings. Ethan lifted Anna gently into his arms. She murmured something in her sleep.
Don’t go, Mama. Before resting her head on his shoulder, they followed Jerome through the narrow hall behind the altar. The tunnel entrance was hidden behind a false wall, dusty and damp.
The smell of earth and old wood filled the air. Stay close, Jerome whispered, handing Ethan a flashlight. And God go with you.
They started down the dark passage, their footsteps echoing softly. Water dripped from the ceiling. Jennifer led the way, the beam of her phone light cutting through the gloom.
Halfway through, they heard footsteps above them heavy, fast. Then the sound of a door slamming open. Voices.
They’re here, Jennifer hissed. Ethan moved faster, holding Anna tight. The tunnel curved sharply, ending at a rusted metal door.
Jennifer shoved at it, but it barely budged. It’s jammed. Ethan handed Anna to Loretta and threw his shoulder against the door.
Once. Twice. The hinges groaned.
On the third hit, it burst open, the night air rushing in like salvation. They stumbled out onto a narrow street near the Hudson River. Rain sheeted down, blurring the lights of the city.
Jennifer pointed toward a line of parked cars. There, the blue sedan. It’s mine.
As they ran, a gunshot cracked behind them, followed by shouts. Ethan spun around, shielding Anna with his body. A dark figure appeared at the tunnel mouth.
Pierce, Greg’s enforcer. Go, Ethan shouted. Get her in the car.
Jennifer grabbed Loretta and Anna, pulling them toward the vehicle. Ethan turned to face Pierce. The rain stinging his eyes.
Pierce leveled a gun at him. You should have stayed gone, Walker. Ethan raised his hands slowly.
You really want to kill a man in front of a church? Pierce sneered. I don’t care where I do it. My boss wants the drive.
Ethan felt the weight of it in his pocket. Janelle’s drive, the truth that could end everything. He met Pierce’s eyes.
Then tell your boss he’ll have to dig it out of the river. Before Pierce could react, Ethan hurled the flash drive into the dark water. It vanished with a small splash.
Pierce fired. The bullet missed, ricocheting off a lamppost. Ethan lunged forward, tackling him.
The gun clattered across the pavement. They struggled, rain slicking their hands, boots slipping on the wet street. Ethan.
Jennifer’s voice cut through the chaos. She threw open the car door. Come on.
Ethan shoved Pierce back and sprinted for the sedan. Another shot rang out, tearing through his coat sleeve. He dove into the passenger seat.
Jennifer floored the gas. The tires screeched, water spraying as they sped into the storm. Loretta held Anna close in the backseat.
You hit? She cried. Ethan checked his arm a shallow graze, bleeding but not bad. I’m fine.
He said through clenched teeth. Jennifer kept her eyes on the road. Please tell me.
You backed up the files. Moe. Ethan smiled weakly.
You really think I’d throw the only copy? Jennifer let out a shaky laugh. You’re learning. They drove in silence for a long time, the storm easing into drizzle.
The city lights faded behind them as they crossed into the industrial district. Ethan turned to look at Anna, asleep again, her head on Loretta’s shoulder. He whispered.
We’re not running forever. Just until it’s safe. Loretta nodded, her eyes full of quiet faith.
Baby. Sometimes God makes you walk through the rain, so you can learn how to dance when it’s gone. Ethan looked out the window at the gray horizon.
He wasn’t sure where they’d go next, but he knew this. Greg Sanders had fired his first shot. And Ethan Walker wasn’t done fighting.
By the time dawn broke, the storm had passed, leaving Harlem washed clean under a gray, heavy sky. The blue sedan sat parked beneath an overpass near the Hudson, its windows fogged with the breath of four exhausted souls. Ethan sat in the driver’s seat now, watching the water ripple below, thinking, Loretta and Anna were asleep in the back.
And Jennifer sat beside him, her hair damp. Her laptop balanced on her knees. I can’t believe you threw it in the river, she whispered.
I didn’t have a choice, Ethan said quietly. Pierce would have shot us all if I hadn’t, Jennifer nodded. Still, good thing you backed it up.
Ethan tapped his jacket pocket. Two copies. One with you.
One with me, she exhaled, tension easing from her shoulders. Greg’s desperate now. He wouldn’t risk sending men with guns unless he knew we were close to taking him down.
He’s afraid, Ethan said. And when men like him get afraid, they make mistakes. Jennifer turned to look at him.
So what’s next? We can’t go to the FBI. Not while his people are still inside. Ethan rubbed his chin, thinking.
We go around them. You said you trust Agent Klein? With my life, Jennifer replied. But he’s off the grid these days lives upstate, somewhere quiet, Ethan nodded.
Then that’s where we go. He’s our only shot at bringing Greg down legally. Jennifer glanced back at Loretta and Anna.
You sure they’re up for that kind of trip? Ethan smiled faintly. Loretta’s tougher than she looks, and Anna… He glanced at the sleeping girl. Anna’s the reason I’m still breathing.
I’m not leaving her behind. They hit the road before sunrise, the city fading into the distance. Ethan drove while Jennifer made calls, trying to reach Klein.
Loretta hummed softly in the back seat, trying to soothe Anna when she stirred. Hours later, they stopped at a diner off the highway, the kind with chipped booths, black coffee, and a jukebox that hadn’t worked in years. Loretta ordered pancakes for Anna and oatmeal for herself.
Jennifer pulled out her laptop again, scanning headlines. Greg’s already spinning this, she said grimly. A statement from his office says he’s cooperating with authorities to recover stolen proprietary materials.
He’s painting you as the thief. Ethan gave a dry laugh. He’s consistent, I’ll give him that.
Anna, half asleep over her pancakes, looked up. Mr. E, are we the good guys? Ethan’s heart softened. Yeah, sweetheart.
We’re the good guys. Then why are we hiding? She asked. He hesitated.
Because sometimes good people have to be quiet until the truth is ready to speak. Anna nodded solemnly, as if that made perfect sense. Mama used to say that lies sound loud, because they’re scared of the truth.
Loretta smiled, her eyes glistening. That child’s got her mama’s wisdom. After breakfast, they filled the car with gas and headed north.
The landscape shifted from cityscape to forest, the air turning crisp and cold. Jennifer finally got through to Klein around noon. Harold, she said into the phone, her voice tight with relief.
It’s Jen Price. I need your help, and I’m not calling for a story this time. Ethan could hear the gruff voice on the other end.
If this is about Walker, I already know he’s innocent. I tried to tell the Bureau that a year ago. Jennifer blinked.
Then you know about Greg Sanders. More than I’d like, Klein said. He’s got people everywhere, even inside the Bureau’s Financial Crimes Unit.
You two have to be careful. We’ve got proof, Jennifer said. Files, emails, even a video confession from Janelle Johnson before she died.
We just need someone who can move it safely through the system. There was a long pause, then… Come to my cabin in Catskill County. Off Route 212…
