part0034

M archand stood with the others, one arm around his wife, the other around his daughter, his eyes searching the opening to the hallway she had emerged from only minutes before.

The terrorists had done a quick search, finding nothing, which had him confident the hiding place his little boy was in was a good one.

“Dad, are those bombs real?”

“I don’t think so, dear,” replied his wife, her voice unconvincing. “Why would they kill themselves and everybody?”

“Maybe they’re not planning on killing themselves. They might leave then kill us.”

Marchand spotted the leader of this enterprise walk past, something that appeared homemade gripped in his left hand. It had to be the detonator, and the white of his knuckles told Marchand that these explosives were indeed real, as was the stress the man was under. The terrorist’s phone rang and he answered it, handing the detonator over to the one who had asked Petra to log into her social media.

He surveyed the area, wishing he were as calm and collected as Acton was. How he had taken command in those first few seconds, directing everyone on what to do, had been impressive. It made him believe some of the rumors he had heard about those two.

He’d look for a way out, he was certain. Yet there was none. All of the exits from the atrium were guarded by machine-gun-toting crazies, and he was forced to accept the fact they weren’t getting out of here. He eyed the bombs surrounding the cluster of the rich and famous huddled together amidst them, and knew their only hope was to use the others as human shields.

His stomach churned with the thought, but he had his daughter to think of, not only himself and Sophie. There were no other children here tonight, only adults. If they could somehow survive the initial blast, Petra might survive, and perhaps even Sophie. They and Jean Luc were his only concern. His life was forfeit. He would sacrifice himself to save them.

He examined the placement of the bombs and searched for anything that might block the blast waves. He found none. Human flesh was all that was available. He gently guided his family toward the center of the mass, avoiding eye contact with those he hoped would shield his daughter, then stopped near the center of the living barrier.

He placed his mouth to his wife’s ear. “I don’t think we’re getting out of this. If things go bad, get on the floor and cover Petra. I’ll cover you both.” He pulled away and stared into her tear-filled eyes. “I love you.”

A tear rolled down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away before Petra noticed. “I love you too.”

Peeters’ heart pounded and his stomach churned with understanding. “Yes. I don’t understand the purpose, however.”

Richter sighed. “The purpose is quite simple. We’re going to make some good come out of the evil that went into the creation of this abomination.”

He gripped the phone tighter. “You’re going to sell it, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I already have a buyer who’s willing to pay an obscene amount of money.”

“Does it matter?”

“I think it does.”

“Let’s just say we’re talking nine figures.”

His jaw dropped slightly. “Nine? As in hundreds of millions?”

His pulse raced with the possibilities. “And if we pull this off, you’ll fund my group?”

“In perpetuity.”

“How do my people get out of this?”

There was a pause. “Your people were willing to sacrifice themselves, weren’t they?”

“Are they still willing to?”

His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Well, for this to work, we need the world to think you’re all dead and the Bible destroyed along with them.”

A fire burned in his stomach. “So, what you’re saying is that my people are expendable.”

“For the greater good, yes. You can save yourself, however.”

“And just how am I supposed to do that?”

“By acting fast.”

“How am I supposed to get out of here?”

“Act. Fast. The police haven’t secured the perimeter yet. If you act in the next five minutes, you can still get out the way you got in.”

“How do you know how I got in?”

“Because it’s on the damned Internet! Stop talking. The longer you talk, the less chance there is of this working. Go, do it now.”

“Okay, okay!” He ended the call, his emotions a blend of excitement, guilt, and confusion.

He cursed, then strode swiftly toward the room containing the Bible.

And the two most important pawns in the game about to be played.

A cton spun toward the door as it opened, the man he presumed was the leader entering and closing the door behind him.

He could take the man apart before help could be called for, his National Guard training greatly augmented by Laura’s security team led by a former Special Air Service colonel.

Laura’s hand gently gripping his arm ended his debate.

They couldn’t risk the lives of the others.

“Listen to me carefully if you want to live.”

Acton’s eyebrows shot up, the man’s words unexpected. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“This has gotten out of hand. I don’t have control of the others anymore.” The man pointed at the Bible. “I don’t want this destroyed, or any of those people to die. I need you to take it out of here.” He held out a set of car keys. “I’ll show you to the door. There’s a van parked outside.” He handed over his cellphone. “Take this. You’ll be called with instructions on where to go. Follow the instructions, or I’ll detonate the bomb myself.”

Acton eyed him suspiciously. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I’m not insane.”

“Then why not just let us go with the Bible?”

“Because I also have an agenda. It just doesn’t include murder.” He grabbed the Bible and shoved it into Acton’s hands.

“What about our friends?”

“There’s nothing I can do for them now. They’re in the atrium with everyone else. If I figure out a way to calm my people down, they’ll be okay.”

“Then you’re staying?”

“Yes. Now, come quickly.” He opened the door and peered in both directions before beckoning them to follow. He directed them down a hallway and several turns, his weapon trained on them the entire time, before reaching a fire door. “The van is on the other side of the door. Get in and turn to your left and follow the lane out to the main road. The police are still securing the area. If you don’t draw any attention, you’ll get away.” He pushed open the door, the alarm sounding. “Good luck.”

Acton stepped out into the cool evening air, spotting the van less than ten feet away. “You drive.”

Laura nodded, taking the keys from him, then climbing in as he did the same on the passenger side, placing the Bible in his lap. She started the engine and pulled away from the rear of the museum, no police in sight, their response so far apparently focused on the front.

And that was when he realized how little time had passed since this had all begun.

They pulled onto the road and merged into traffic, a police car ahead blocking the opposite lane causing his heart rate to pick up slightly, then settling at the realization the officer was merely blocking anyone from entering the area, and waving through those leaving.

The phone the terrorist had given him rang, causing them both to flinch. He answered it, putting it on speaker. “Hello?”