The Soldier's Mission by Lenora Worth

the edge.
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    Paco pulled his handgun out of the holster and held it toward the door. Someone jingled the handle, once, twice. They’d have to either use a card key or break the door down. And if they did either, he’d be waiting for them.
    â€œMaid service,” came a feminine call. “Hello?”
    He went to the door. “Come back later.”
    Waiting with the gun drawn, he listened then heard a cart rolling away.
    â€œWas that really the maid?” Laura asked from her corner.
    â€œCan’t say, not knowing,” he replied. “Let’s get out of here.” When she rushed for the door, he snagged her arm. “Not that way. We leave by the balcony.”
    Laura stepped back, shaking her head. Then she started tidying the place, shutting drawers, fluffing pillows. “Isn’t there another way?”
    Paco counted to ten, taking in her sudden burst of nervous energy. The woman was intelligent so what was she missing here. He pointed to the door. “There is that way where someone could be waiting to ambush us, or there is the balcony—the quickest way to escape.”
    She straightened the ice bucket, setting it straight. “I vote the stairs.”
    â€œBad choice. Too isolated and too easy for someone to be lurking about. So I vote the balcony.” His patience wearing thin, he asked, “Just what is the problem here, Laura?”
    She shifted, fidgeted, looked away. “I… I don’t like high places.”
    He frowned, lifting his eyebrows. “Say that again?”
    â€œI don’t do high places. I’m afraid of heights, okay?”
    â€œBut you’re at the Grand Canyon!”
    â€œYes, but I didn’t come to see the canyon. I came to find you.”
    Putting a finger to his forehead, Paco said, “But you said you planned to do some hiking if you failed at finding me.”
    â€œYes,” she said on a frustrated whisper. “Low hiking. As in at the bottom of the canyon or maybe in some part of the canyon but not near the very edge of the high-up canyon.”
    Tugging her toward the balcony door, he said, “This is only a few floors up, sweetheart. And it’s grassy down there. It won’t hurt a bit.”
    â€œI can’t do it.” She held back, a solid fear centered in her eyes. “My office is on the second floor of the clinic and my apartment in Phoenix is on the first floor. I usually don’t go above level three but this was the only room available. I don’t like elevators, either.”
    â€œWell, then we’re in serious trouble. We can’t take the stairs or the elevator here. The only way out is through that balcony door and down.”
    She ventured a glance out the door. “But we can’t just jump.”
    â€œI can. And I’m pretty sure you’ll be able, too. Since it might mean saving your life.”
    â€œBut what if they’re down there waiting?”
    A good point. Paco pushed her away from the door.
    â€œI’ll check things out.” Slowly opening the sliding glassdoor, he peaked out and looked both ways then glanced down at the parking lot. “I don’t see anyone but anything is possible.” Then he turned back to her. “I think I see a way to do this.”
    â€œWhat?”
    The wash of pure relief in her eyes told him she was serious about being afraid of heights. Another thing he’d have to remember right along with finding out what else she might be hiding from him.
    â€œWe can move from balcony to balcony until we reach the outside stairs at the end of the building. Do you think you can deal with that, at least?”
    She walked to the open door and peered at the wide wooden-planked balconies. Then she took in a long breath. “I’ll try.”
    Paco heard footsteps out in the hallway. “Good, because I think our visitors are back. And this time I don’t think they’re concerned about