Chapter 254

INT. - THE PANIC ROOM - NIGHT

Gerri hung up the phone with a sigh. At least they knew how and what. It was the who and why that still plagued her. She turned, looked down at the now right side up body. Someone had taken the courtesy of covering the congressman's staring face with the same handkerchief Gerri used to wipe clean the plastic credit card sleeve. More possible evidence interference, but at least Linda Barnes had stopped moaning from the sight.

As Gerri looked up, she realized she'd forgotten all about the panel she'd noticed at the back of the room, the wall seam just split enough to make it visible. Hoping it was a back way out of this place, knowing it was likely a bathroom or something innocuous, she circled the body, squeezing past Doug Divers who grinned at her-if he copped a feel he'd be on the floor with the congressman-and to the panel.