“You are being recorded holding a weapon beside a kidnapped woman.
In less than one minute, agents will enter this building.
Decide whether you want to be described as a witness or an accomplice.”
Victor laughed too loudly.
“He is bluffing.”
The younger guard stared at the tiny lapel button.
A siren sounded faintly outside.
Victor’s expression changed.
The guard lowered his pistol.
“Raise it,” Victor ordered.
The man did not move.
Victor stepped toward him.
“I pay you.”
“Not enough for this,” the guard said.
He placed the pistol on the floor and kicked it toward Jonah.
The second guard kept his weapon raised, but his attention flicked toward the windows as the approaching sirens grew louder.
Victor grabbed Elena’s rope and pulled it tighter.
Her body lifted another inch.
Every controlled thought inside me narrowed to the movement of his hand.
“Let go,” I said.
Victor’s eyes shone with the thrill of believing he had found the one thing that could still control me.
“Transfer the foundation,” he said.
“Right now.”
“You cannot access it.”
“I have her authorization.”
“You forged her authorization.”
He sneered.
“Prove it.”
I looked directly into the lens on my lapel.
“Play file seventeen.”
Jonah touched an earpiece.
A voice emerged from the secure speaker inside his jacket.
It was Victor’s voice, recorded six weeks earlier during a meeting with his private accountant.
Elena signs whatever I put in front of her.
If she refuses, I increase the medication and keep her away from the trustees.
By the time anyone notices, the foundation will be empty.
Victor released the rope in shock.
Jonah moved instantly.
He crossed the space, seized the loose end, and prevented Elena from dropping.
One of the other men climbed onto the chair, cut the binding above her wrists, and supported her weight while Jonah lowered her carefully to the floor.
I reached her first.
Her knees buckled against me.
I pulled the gag away and wrapped my coat around her shoulders.
For several seconds, she could not speak.
She clutched my shirt with both hands and tried to breathe.
“I’m here,” I told her.
“You’re safe.”
She shook her head and looked past me.
“No,” she whispered.
“He has people everywhere.”
“Not anymore.”
Victor backed toward the far door.
The remaining armed guard blocked him.
“Move,” Victor demanded.
The guard lowered his pistol, but instead of surrendering it, he aimed at Jonah.
The steel entrance door crashed inward.
