Page 2 (1/2)

Reluctantly, he shook it “I hope we ain, Lauren I’ll look for you the next time I’m in Munich”

Still sh the wide cobblestone apron outside There were little tables with u Sated by the beer and pretzel, she inhaled happily, and then, walking over to the sidewalk, began what she expected to be a thoughtful stroll Maybe she’d text her parents this ti her position without all the drama of a phone call

She was halfway down the street when she heard a male voice call after her, “Lauren!”

She turned to see Marko hurrying in her direction “Here” He extended his arm, a familiar iPhone in his hand “You left this on the table”

“Oh, thank you” How could she have been so careless? She protected her cell phone like a small child “I’d be lost without that—“

As she spoke, a Mercedes van tore around the corner and ca up to them

The near doors were flung open, and a stocky man jumped out, his face concealed by a black hood Before Lauren could soa burlap sack over her head and tossing her over his shoulder

“Merr në e Lauren didn’t understand

By this tile for her freedo furiously, and she pounded on theher into the back of the van

Marko ju out so in the same dialect as the other man—neither French nor Slavic—as the stocky barbarian held her down

Finally finding her voice, Lauren let out a scream, which was quickly muffled by the pressure of Marko’s hand over her mouth She could taste the wool of the sack, and she inclined her head so she could breathe through her nose

A short-lived reprieve

Marko fumbled around, then shoved a handkerchief under the sack, covering her nose andto avoid it The odor was sickeningly sweet and citrusy

Chloroform

Tears burned behind her eyes Shock waves pulsed through her body