We started racing around grabbing bags and clothes and passing them out to Gabriel and Gina. Meanwhile, Katharina was stripping out of her clothes and pulling on a bathrobe. I realized what she’d been saying to Becker to buy time: I was in the shower. Becker pounded on the door again. Katharina gestured frantically for us to hurry.

We grabbed everything we could see and hurried out of the window. Blue lights were flashing in the alley below but fortunately none of the cops were looking up. As I eased the window closed, I saw Katharina pick up a glass of water and pour it over her hair to wet it. Our eyes met for a second. I’m sorry, I mouthed.

Go, she mouthed back.

The alley was out, so we hurried up the fire escape to the roof. A bitter wind was howling across the rooftops and everyone was shivering. But it was worst for Erin: she hadn’t had a chance to change out of her cocktail dress yet and was standing in inch-deep snow in her bare feet. I whipped off my tuxedo jacket and put it around her shoulders. I looked down into those delicate blue eyes and the protective urge gripped me so tight…she was scared, and cold, and all I wanted to do was hug her to me and keep her warm. But JD was right there.

I wanted to scream into the night. I wanted to punch something. I had to settle for closing my eyes for a second while I gripped Erin’s shoulders. When I opened my eyes, Erin nodded to me. She understood. But how much longer could we go on like this?

I crept over to JD, walking carefully—the whole roof was covered in ice. JD was kneeling next to a skylight, looking down on Katharina’s living room. Becker was marching around, demanding answers. He was waving my picture so I guessed he’d somehow found out that she and I used to be together. Katharina was keeping her cool, shrugging and acting like it was no big deal. It was years ago, I haven’t seen him since.

Becker bent and pointed to the coffee cups on the table. Katharina shrugged again, probably telling him that she’d had friends round.

Becker straightened and slapped Katharina across the face. He hit her so hard she stumbled and fell against a cabinet.

I was on my feet in a split second, reaching for my gun. Gabriel and Cal grabbed an arm each and hung onto me, then gently but firmly pulled me back down out of sight, in case Becker looked up. I crouched there, panting and seething.