Page 72 of The Hero She Loves

Park slowed down, making himself really look at everyone walking nearby. There was a laughing couple, a family with several teenagers who were all hunched over their cellphones, some older couples he guessed were vacationing together. Then he spotted a man near the corner, moving fast.

He wore a black, knit hat.

“There.” Park skirted some people and broke into a run.

Olson glanced back and spotted them. He ripped the hat off his head, then shoved a nearby woman. With a cry, she tripped over and hit the concrete.

Park leaped over her.

“Help her,” Jenna yelled at someone.

Olson turned a corner and Park followed. He saw Olson dart across the street. As Park ran out, a car screeched to a halt, narrowly missing him.

Fuck.

As a horn blared, Park pressed one palm to the hood, slid across it, and kept going.

Ahead, Olson disappeared down the next street.

Park rounded the corner, blood pumping. A long, low building housing a hotel was on one side. The Harbor Inn. On the other were some trailer homes. There was no sign of Olson. No sign of anyone.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

Jenna caught up with him. “Where did he go?”

“I don’t know.” They walked down the sidewalk, searching.

“There!” Jenna pointed up.

There was a flash of movement and Parker saw Olson on the roof of the inn. The man was running along it and moving quickly.

Park took off. Ahead, he spotted a dumpster beside the end of the building and leaped on top of it. He jumped up, caught the edge of the roof, then hauled himself up.

He looked back down at Jenna.

“Go!” she yelled. “Get him and I’ll follow.”

Park straightened. His gaze locked on Olson and he set off after the man. He carefully navigated the roof. Ahead, Olson reached the edge of the building and leaped across the small gap to the next building.

He was gaining on Olson. The man glanced back and saw him coming.

That’s right. I’m coming for you.

Park pumped his arms and closed the distance. He leaped across another gap.

Olson reached the end of the second building. The next building was too far away for him to jump to. He stopped, but Parker didn’t. He picked up speed and hit Olson.

They flew off the edge of the building. The ground below raced up at them.

Park braced, then shoved Olson away from him. He landed and rolled, ignoring the aches and pains that rattled through him. He’d had worse landings.

Olson landed badly. He was flat on his stomach, breathing hard, his face twisted. Unsteadily, he pushed to his feet.

They were standing between a brick building and a parked truck. No one could see them from the street.

Parker pulled out his gun and advanced on him. “It’s over, Olson.”

Olson straightened, then yanked a knife off his belt. “A good Ghost Ops soldier never gives up.”