blood where Kilmer had pistol-whipped him.
“Mary, Mother of God,” she admonished distractedly, flashing an icy stare at Rafie as she spoke. She shook her head and said accusingly, “You people are barbarians.”
“I’m okay, Aunt Sela. They didn’t hurt me any. Don’t worry. We’ll get out o’ this…Uncle Jarrod knows what he’s doing,” Jer said, cautious not to divulge the messages from his parents.
“I want to stay with him, mister,” she said to Rafie, determined not to let Jer out of her sight. “As long as you’re going to restrain me, I’d like to be with my nephew.”
“That’s easily arranged, ma’am,” Rafie replied. “Take a seat and put your hands behind your back,” he instructed, tying her hands together with another snap tie.
When they were finally alone, Jer quietly whispered to Sela everything that was going on. He told her about how his mother and he had followed Ryan to Stanford, their family reunion and the reconciliation between Jarrod and his father, his abduction, the emails, and seeing Uncle Jarrod’s machine lift the Humvee. “It was amazing, Aunt Sela. He did it…he really did it!” he exclaimed, straining to keep his voice subdued.
“So you think Sarah knows where we are?” she asked hopefully, keeping her voice low.
“We think so…Jarrod’s received a couple messages from her. He sent one that we’re at Wildcat Farm in Kentucky. If I know Pop, they’re on their way here loaded for bear…I have no doubt, Aunt Sela,” Jer murmured.
“Well, well. This is one time when your father’s vindictiveness is going to work in our favor. I never thought I’d be wishing for that,” she gushed optimistically.
“Pop’s a changed man, Aunt Sela. Jarrod too…you’ll see. Trust me. We’re all going to get through this just fine.”
Sela tugged at her restraints, making certain there was no way to break free. “I believe you, Jer, but we’re running out of time. I feel so helpless. I heard that Kilmer fellow say they need Jarrod’s cooperation tonight. Whatever they’re planning is happening in a matter of hours.”
“Listen…you know Uncle Jarrod better than anyone. Have you ever known anyone to get the better of him?” he asked. “He’s got something planned. He won’t go down without a fight.”
“That’s exactly what worries me, Jer. These men are ruthless. Jarrod’s out of his league. They’ll kill him,” she said with a slight shudder.
“Don’t be so sure, Aunt Sela…my money’s on Pop and Uncle Jarrod. Together they’re a formidable team, the likes of which these men have never seen: The once-embittered Metatucci cousins joined against a common foe,” Jer said with the flourish of a carnival barker. “Hell hath no fury like the two of them united. These guys have no idea the vengeance they’ve unleashed.”
“I sooo hope you’re right, Jer…or we’re all doomed.”
Come on little sister…save my life.
FIFTY-SEVEN
Hilton Head
Alistair Holloway was stewing from his earlier argument with Angelina. She was one of few people who could get under his skin. He would never admit his feelings, but he had grown very fond of her, closer, in fact, than anyone would ever know. Damn you, Angel, for crossing me after all I’ve done. Of all the times…why now? Fortunately, his cell phone interrupted his melancholy mood and Holloway was momentarily thrilled to learn it was Kilmer.
“Hello, Richard. Are you at Wildcat?” he asked, answering the call.
“Yessir, we blew in early this mornin’. Everythin’s aces. The Struffenegers are good mates,” Kilmer replied.
“Excellent. I thought you’d find the accommodations acceptable. What’s your time schedule?” he asked, excited to hear about the plan.
“No worries…we square off t’night,” he succinctly replied. “I figure ya’d want to know.”
“What about the hostages?”
“They’re under wraps,” Kilmer answered. “Farley’s with ‘em ’til the deed is done. They don’t stand a buckley’s chance. When we clear the base, they’re history.”
“Why wait? What’s the reason to keep them alive any longer? It’s the loose ends you’ll trip on, Richard.”
“Just a hunch. Ya don’t know Conrad. He’s a tricky blighter. The wanker might demand talkin’ with the woman once we’re on the base. I’m second-guessin’, sure, but I don’t trust ‘im. I promise ya, Conrad won’t be comin’ home. He’ll be found dead alongside the machine, as ya specified. He’s history.”
“Alright, it’s your call…just be sure the hostages are removed before Emil returns. He’ll never agree to this part of the plan. Do we understand each other?”
“No worries, sir. It’s a done deal.”
“What about Penburton?” Holloway asked next.
“Oh, ya won’t hear from him again. Farley used a car bomb on him. It’s on ya to handle the cops when yer name surfaces though.”
“I’m prepared for that. Just do your job and leave the strategy to me. Tomorrow at this time I expect to be $1 billion richer. We’ll have the world’s undivided attention on the use of antigravity for the first time. You’re about to make history, Richard.”
“We’re good as gold, sir. I’ll call ya when we’re through.”
“Good luck, Mr. Kilmer. We’ve come a long way together on this path. Don’t let me down,” he said, completing the call.
I’m on the brink of making history, Holloway mused. Antigravity technology will be unveiled to the world in just a matter of hours. A bidding frenzy will develop when governments realize the potential of this new technology. It will be the biggest technological discovery of all time. This is just the beginning…
FIFTY-EIGHT
Louisville, Kentucky
10:30 hours
Ryan and Sarah Marshall had slept peacefully during the three-hour flight from LAX to Houston, purging the stress of passing through airport security. Despite the discomfort of the cramped airline seats, it was only when they were roused by a stewardess to return their seats to an upright position that they finally awoke, revived from the much needed respite. Their connecting flight to Louisville didn’t depart until 6:30 a.m. the following morning, but because the couple was loath to again face airport security, they decided to wile away the intervening hours in the Houston terminal-a nine-hour stretch that became almost interminable. Realizing they had not eaten since the snack they bought at the Grapevine the day before, they found a one-of-a-kind fusion grill run by a local family and leisurely ate until sated. They then braced for the inevitable boredom while awaiting the early morning flight to Louisville. Throughout the evening, Ryan grew strengthened by the overpowering sense that they were drawing ever closer to completing their quest: rescuing Jer, Sela and Jarrod.
As they anxiously approached their final destination, Ryan stared out the plane window and could see the Ohio River winding its way south through the city. Whenever he saw a river he remembered his younger days fishing for rainbow trout on the Jemez River with his grandfather. He knew Amerigo would have been amazed by the size of the Ohio. Rivers of the West were mere creeks compared to the Ohio, which was the largest tributary to the mighty Mississippi, the biggest river system in North America. He could see a paddleboat ferrying people down the river and thought it would be fun to take a trip to New Orleans on the Mississippi when their ordeal was all over.
When their plane finally landed and they had disembarked, the couple split up. Ryan was feeling too much
