Chapter 9 - The Dead Man's Switch
Stefano stared at the blinking red light in Julian's hand, sweat slowly beading on his wrinkled forehead.
He knew his nephew was ruthless enough in business to absolutely follow through with this insane threat.
"You are bluffing," Stefano said, though his voice trembled with undeniable hesitation.
"Shoot him in the head," Stefano ordered his tactical commander.
The commander did not move a single muscle, his eyes locked nervously on the explosive detonator.
"If his thumb slips off that button, we all turn to ash, sir," the commander whispered urgently.
Julian seized the brief moment of hesitation.
"I am going to walk out of this building with my family, and if anyone follows me, I release the trigger," Julian declared.
He carefully helped Elena sit up, wrapping a heavy coat around her shivering shoulders.
He cradled his newborn son securely in his left arm, keeping his right thumb firmly pressed against the detonator.
They walked slowly toward the exit, passing directly through the center of the heavily armed tactical team.
Not a single man dared to raise a weapon against them.
As they reached the exterior loading dock, Julian saw a sleek, black speedboat docked in the adjacent canal.
It was a contingency escape vehicle the old doctor kept fueled and ready for emergencies.
Julian helped Elena step down into the small boat, securing her safely in the passenger cabin.
He climbed into the driver's seat and quickly hotwired the high-powered marine engine.
Just as the engine roared to life, Stefano burst out onto the loading dock, his face purple with rage.
He realized Julian was never going to blow up the building while his wife and child were inside.
Stefano raised his gold-plated revolver and fired three wild shots toward the fleeing boat.
One of the bullets violently shattered the fiberglass hull, striking the outboard motor with a shower of sparks.
The speedboat lunged forward into the dark, choppy waters of the canal, completely out of control.
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Julian steered desperately as the damaged engine sputtered and began to smoke heavily.
They drifted out into the open, freezing bay, completely vulnerable and stranded as a massive coastal storm began to roll in.
