The Marshal took questions from reporters.Voices overlapped, everyone shouting at once.It was a scene of controlled chaos.
"Do you know who helped him escape?"asked one reporter
"Was this planned by his disciples?"asked another.
"Is Agent Sterling involved in the manhunt?"
The Marshal held up a hand."We're not releasing details about the investigation at this time.I can confirm that the FBI is providing support and that multiple agencies are coordinating the search."
Miles clicked on another article.This one included photograph from the prison.Smoke damage, burned corridors, emergency vehicles.The caption mentioned white phosphorus as the likely chemical used in the incendiaries.
More headlines appeared as Miles refreshed the page.
KANE ESCAPE RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT PRISON SECURITY
AUTHORITIES SEARCH FOR ACCOMPLICE IN PRISON BREAK
ELEMENTAL KILLER ON THE LOOSE AFTER VIOLENT ESCAPE
It was escalating fast.Within another hour or so, it would be everywhere.And by morning, it would be all over the nation.
Miles felt sick.Not just because Kane was free, though that was horrifying enough.But because he knew what this meant.Kane was out there right now, probably already making contact with his remaining disciples.The network that Miles had been working to dismantle was about to become active again.More killings, more chaos, more people dying in the name of elemental philosophy—and they’d all be encouraged and given renewed faith by Kane’s escape.
Including the killer they were currently searching for.
Miles scrolled through more articles, his stomach churning.Photographs of the prison, interviews with officials, speculation about where Kane might be heading.The coverage was everywhere, overwhelming, relentless.
"Miles."Vic's voice was gentle."You need to put the phone down."
He kept scrolling, pausing at another headline.FBI AGENT STERLING'S HISTORY WITH GABRIEL KANE.The article included a timeline of every interaction they'd had, every case where Kane's philosophy had been involved, every disciple Miles had tracked down.It painted a picture of obsession, of two men locked in an ongoing battle.
Miles felt his throat tighten.The hotel lobby seemed too bright, too loud.His hands were shaking and the phone screen blurred in front of him.
"Miles," Vic said again, more urgently.
He tried to respond but couldn't form words.The nausea hit him suddenly and completely.He dropped his phone and stumbled toward the nearest hallway, looking desperately for a bathroom.
He found one just past the elevators and pushed through the door.Made it to the first stall before his stomach emptied itself.He retched violently, gripping the sides of the toilet, his entire body shaking.
He retched again, bringing up nothing but bile.His forehead pressed against his arm and he tried to breathe, tried to calm down, tried to think clearly.
But all he could see was Kane's face.That calm expression.That knowing smirk.The look of a man who was always three steps ahead, always planning, always in control even when he appeared to be captured.
Miles stayed there on his knees, shaking, as the reality of Kane's escape crashed over him in waves.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Vic sat at the small desk in the hotel room, laptop open in front of her, trying to focus on the notes she, Miles, and Kim had gathered together during the night.Behind her, the television droned on with yet another news cycle covering Kane's escape.She'd lost count of how many times they'd shown the same aerial footage of the prison, the same interviews with officials, the same speculation about where Kane might be.
They’d ended up canceling one of the rooms.After Miles had come back from the bathroom looking pale and shaken, Vic had made the decision.She wasn't leaving him alone tonight.Not when he was this wrecked.So now they were sharing the room, Miles on one bed with his eyes glued to the television, Vic at the desk trying to do the work both of them should have been doing.
"The U.S.Marshals have released a statement saying they're following multiple leads," a reporter said from the screen."But sources close to the investigation say Kane has had hours to get away from the prison.The question many are asking tonight is whether capturing Gabriel Kane accomplished anything if his disciples continue to operate and he can simply escape custody."
Vic reached for the remote and muted the television.Miles didn't even notice.She opened her mouth to say something to him when her phone rang.She looked to the ID and saw that it was Kim…which was interesting because she usually contacted Miles.
She answered quickly."Hey," Vic said quietly, still glancing at Miles."What do you have?"
"I've just sent you over a complete list of Ashford Fine Jewelers employees," Kim said."Thirty-seven names total, everyone who worked there when the business shut down.I've included current addresses where I could find them, employment history, and basic background."
