The girl was a trembling, sobbing mess, but when I sat on the stairs and reached for her, she rushed into my arms and hugged me as though she knew me.

It was impossible to get anything out of her for the first minute or so. I carried her down the stairs and back into the street, following Belkni after his short, "This way," which sounded suspiciously like an order but offered a course of action.

I only followed him because I had the girl to worry about. The next time he ...