The Planck Factor

Mel placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “Try not to worry. This will be over soon.”

Daniel tore his gaze from Alexis and glared at Mel. “Just make sure this lady comes back alive and well.”

After a bre

akfast of buttered toast and strong, black coffee, Mel escorted Alexis to his car and drove her to the front of her sister Katie’s condo building.

As Alexis exited the car, Mel called, “Good luck.” She closed the door and the car took off.

Katie let Alexis inside the condo, then grabbed her in a bear hug.

“It’s okay,” Alexis whispered. “We’re covered.”

Katie nodded. “It’s great to see you, sis.” The words came out sounding real enough, but forced just the same.

“Well, I guess you know why I’m here.”

Katie nodded again and moved stiffly toward a desk in the corner of the room. Pulling a set of keys from her purse, she used one to open the middle drawer and produced another key.

“This opens a safe deposit box at Chemical Bank on Broadway. You’ll find what you need there.”

“And we’re coming with you,” a deep voice intoned from the hall.

Alexis glanced toward the sound and a man emerged. She recognized him from the elevator the night she’d arrived. Except for the gun he pointed her way.

“I’ll cooperate.” Alexis tried to sound genuine. “Just don’t shoot me, okay?”

Alexis turned toward the door, with the armed man following close behind. As she opened it, she realized, He said “we.” Who else could he be referring to?

A strangled cry and sounds of scuffling came from behind her.

Alexis spun around and saw the man with the gun being strangled with a wiry garrote. She blinked, unable to believe her eyes once again.

The man slumped and dropped the gun. Swede let his body fall and picked up the weapon.

Swede glared at Alexis, his lucid green eyes hard as marbles.

On the elevator, Alexis asked Swede, “How did you know I was here?”

“Would you believe a lucky guess?” Swede smiled, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes. “Good thing I was there. That guy was up to no good.”

“How do you know that?” And, by the way, didn’t you just strangle him?

“He’s one of the people who tried to convince Daniel and me that he was with the Feds. Clearly, he wasn’t.”

Alexis didn’t think anything was clear, anymore. Swede’s presence and actions did nothing to allay her fears.

Swede tucked the gun in his waistband. “Next stop, Chemical Bank.”

“Right.” Alexis wrung her hands. Tension raised her pulse and liquefied her guts.

The elevator doors opened and they stepped into the lobby. The doorman was nowhere to be seen. As they approached the front door, a voice behind them called, “Freeze! Don’t move.”

Alexis turned and saw Mel aiming a gun at Swede from around a far corner.

Swede quickly drew and fired, but Mel took cover. The shot echoed in Alexis’ head. She hit the floor.

Mel reappeared and fired back. Swede took a shot in the leg and went down, screaming.