The Planck Factor

Cyn winced, but she took the hit like a pro. I felt sick.

I looped the strap of my laptop case across the opposite shoulder, my purse across the other.

Still wincing, Cyn stared at me with raised eyebrows that asked, “Ready?”

I wasn’t but I didn’t have a choice.

Cyn upended the chair. She let herself slump to the floor. I ran.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Jessica

I made a break for the front door, expecting to see the crazy-eyed man or one of his cohorts, but apparently they’d left me in Cynthia’s and Lucius’ capable hands. This seemed almost too easy.

As I reached for the doorknob, a large pair of men’s hands grabbed my arms from behind. I kicked and thrashed until I got an arm free and went for his eyes. But he caught my hand and pulled me close until I couldn’t move at all.

I remembered the listening device and screamed.

The man’s grip didn’t loosen. “Jesus, lady. You trying to make me deaf?”

I stood there, stupidly, waiting for the rescue team.

Someone knocked at the door. We eyed each other. Who’d be knocking? Jehovah’s Witnesses?

My captor moved around me, careful to keep a tight grip with one arm around my waist. A bald edifice of flesh, he checked the peephole. “No one’s there,” he said.

He turned toward me and was about to speak when the front window shattered. We both hit the floor.

“What the . . . ? The man rolled off me, displayed a holstered gun, and muttered, “Don’t move.” He peered into the living room, got up, and retrieved a brick from the floor.

He glared at me. I shook my head. Clearly, it wasn’t from the rescue team.

“Hmmph.” The bald man rose, unholstered the handgun and strode to the door, opening it. He surveyed the yard. I followed suit and peered out from behind him.

“I dunno.” He shrugged and started to close the door. A pistol appeared at his temple.

My gaze moved up the arm with the pistol to find Billy.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Jessica

Billy was smiling, although he didn’t look quite like himself. His eyes had an odd glow. As if he were relishing the moment.

The bald man tried turning his head toward the gun. Billy yelled, “Don’t move, motherfucker! I’ll blow your brains out.”

All I could think to say was, “Thank God you’re here. What took so long? Where’s your partner?”

“He got delayed. Never mind him.” Billy seemed lit with an internal fire.

The bald man, who stood frozen to the spot, ventured

a thought. “Look, son. Put the weapon down. Let’s talk about this.”

Billy only jammed the gun harder against the man’s temple.

“Are you really ready to shoot a man in cold blood?” the bald man asked.