Echo 8 Read Online Free PDF Page B

for you,” called Agent Perez when she saw Ross coming.
    Ross moved to Jake’s door, glancing through the square window. He jumped back when Jake appeared behind the glass, inches away.
    Ross punched the intercom button and reached for his sidearm. “Back off.”
    â€œI want to know what’s going on,” demanded the fade. His eyes flitted nervously from Ross to Perez. “Where’s Tess?”
    The last thing Ross wanted was to hear her name in the fade’s mouth. “Not your concern. You keep quiet in there and maybe no one shoots you.”
    Jake’s features contorted in anguish. “Did I kill her? Please—I don’t understand—”
    The fade’s head swiveled, like he’d heard something behind him. His body practically hummed with nervous energy, reminding Ross of his meth-addict brother. Except there was nothing sunken or hollow about Jake—not anymore. The bastard was bright-eyed and fully charged.
    Jake’s gaze anchored on Ross again. “Am I some kind of— vampire ? I felt like I was sucking the life out of her.”
    â€œYou were .”
    â€œIs she dead?”
    Ross took in Jake’s distress and allowed a pinprick of compassion. “She’s not dead. Not yet.”
    Jake squeezed his eyes shut. “God … why didn’t you just shoot me? Why don’t you shoot me now?”
    Ross studied the fade—dark-blond curls, narrow forehead, brown eyes, short beard curling over chin and jaw. He was about Ross’s height but thinner and closer to Tess’s age.
    â€œYou want me to shoot you,” Ross replied, dubious.
    â€œWhy did you let her get so close? You’re a Fed, right? You have to be, dressed like that. Were you supposed to be protecting her or what?”
    Jesus. Ross felt like he’d been punched. He slipped his weapon back in the holster and turned to go.
    â€œHey!” called Jake. The intercom was still on.
    Impatient to get back upstairs, Ross hesitated before turning. A part of him could empathize. What a position to suddenly find yourself in.
    â€œWhat she told me,” said Jake, “—the alternate universe thing—is it true?”
    â€œProbably. It’s a theory.”
    â€œBased on what? I mean, how can you know something like that?”
    â€œWe can’t, not for sure. But they’ve questioned enough of you to piece it together.”
    Jake chuckled darkly. “I thought she was nuts. Or I’d wound up in some purgatory for suicides.”
    Ross lifted an eyebrow. “You killed yourself?”
    Jake’s lips set, and he glared at Ross. “I’m finished talking to you. If she lives, I’ll talk to her . Shoot me if you want to. I don’t fucking care.”
    *   *   *
    When Ross entered his apartment the lights were dimmed, and he thought Carmichael and the physician had gone.
    â€œI’m here,” Carmichael called from the bed. She had her arms around Tess, pressing her head against her chest. “Dr. Bakshi went to the room next door to sleep.”
    â€œHow is she?” asked Ross.
    â€œShe’s still so cold. Will you throw the rest of those blankets over us?”
    Ross grabbed the pile from the couch and spread them over the bed.
    â€œSorry about your bed,” said Carmichael. “I don’t think we should move her again.”
    â€œNo, I agree. I can go to one of the other rooms.”
    â€œDon’t do that. I might need you.”
    Ross breathed a little easier. He was prepared to defer to Carmichael, but he didn’t want to be sent away. “Okay, Doctor.”
    â€œFor God’s sake, call me Abby, Ross.”
    He sank down on the couch and glanced at his watch: 11:15 P.M. He felt crushed and emptied. Numb and completely useless. He’d been here, what, a week? His charge was comatose, and his boss was refusing her the care she needed. He let his head fall back