continuation of Chapter 6

bulging from the force of men trying to open it. The iron bar she’d pushed through the handles earlier was holding them off, but at any moment it or the steel handles would break loose.

“This way.” Ramos directed her down the hall, turning into the last room on the left. The door hung from its hinges.

Entering, she immediately saw the broken window, felt the damp warmth of outside air, and caught the perfume of frangipani blossoms scenting the air. Jagged glass still hung from the frame.

“Stay back a moment,” she told Ramos, and lifted a blanket from the bed to wrap around her hand. Then using the hammer, she knocked out the remaining glass. After she finished, she laid the frayed wool over the glass shards and set a nearby chair under the window. Though not full-sized, the window seemed large enough for Ramos to squeeze through. She climbed up then wedged herself on the sill until she could scramble out into the night. The bottom of the window was level with the grass outside. From t