Chapter 5 - The Ticking Clock
Panic erupted throughout the prestigious club like wildfire.
Officers and spouses scrambled desperately toward the exits, screaming in pure terror.
“Hold your positions!” General Sterling bellowed, trying to maintain military order.
The MPs struggled to keep the panicked crowd away from the locked doors.
“You planted a bomb in a room full of federal agents and military commanders?” I asked, keeping my gun steady.
“It was the perfect opportunity to eliminate the entire leadership of Fort Liberty,” Vanessa taunted.
I evaluated the tactical situation in a matter of seconds.
Vanessa was using Patricia as a human shield, making a clean shot nearly impossible.
I had to disarm her without triggering the explosive device she might be holding.
“Where is the bomb?” I demanded.
“Find it yourself, you have three minutes left,” Vanessa sneered.
She began dragging Patricia backward again, pushing through the swinging kitchen doors.
I sprinted after them, bursting into the stainless-steel commercial kitchen.
Pots and pans clattered to the floor as Vanessa shoved a heavy rolling cart into my path.
I vaulted over the cart, closing the distance between us.
Vanessa raised her weapon to fire at me.
I didn't hesitate.
I threw myself sideways, firing a single, precise shot from my weapon.
My bullet struck Vanessa right in her dominant shoulder.
She screamed in agony, dropping her pistol as the impact spun her around.
Patricia fell to the tile floor, completely unharmed but weeping uncontrollably.
I rushed forward and kicked Vanessa's weapon safely out of reach.
I pinned the injured spy to the ground, pressing my knee firmly against her back.
“Where is the bomb?” I screamed into her ear.
Vanessa coughed, blood staining her lips as she smiled up at me.
“It is right in front of your pathetic husband,” she whispered.
I realized exactly what she meant.
The promotion gift.
The massive, carved wooden eagle Ethan had been given at the start of the ceremony.
May you like
I dragged Vanessa to her feet and shoved her toward the MPs entering the kitchen.
I sprinted back into the main dining room with exactly ninety seconds left on the clock.
