Anthony opened the door. 'Stay here a second, Larry, while I talk to Pete,' he said. The two men got out Their breath misted in the cold air.
Anthony said to Pete: 'I'll wait here. You take the kid and show him the monument Stay this side, so that she'll see him when she arrives.'
'Right' Pete's voice was cold and abrupt 'I hate this,' Anthony said. In truth, he was past caring. Larry was unhappy, and Billie was frantic with fear, but they would get over it, and he was not going to allow sentiment to get in his way. 'We're not going to harm the kid, or his mother,' he said, trying to reassure Pete. 'But she'll tell us where Luke has gone.'
'Then we give back the kid.'
'No.'
'We don't?' Pete's expression was concealed by the darkness, but his voice betrayed dismay. 'Why not?'
'In case we need more information from her later.'
Pete was troubled, but he would acquiesce, at least for now, Anthony thought. He opened the car door. 'Come on, Larry. Uncle Pete's going to show you the statue.'
Larry got out with careful politeness he said: 'After we've seen it, I think I'd like to go home.'
Anthony's breath caught in his throat Larry's bravery was almost too much. After a moment, Anthony replied in a calm voice: 'We'll check with Mommy. Now go ahead.'
The child took Pete's hand and they walked around the monument toward the steps at the back. A minute later they appeared in front of the pillars, lit by the car's headlights.
Anthony checked his watch. Sixteen hours- from now, the rocket would have taken off, and it would all be over, one way or another. Sixteen hours was a lot, plenty of time for Luke to do unlimited damage. Anthony had to catch him, fast Billie should be here by now. He suffered a pang of doubt. Surely she would come? She was too frightened and panicky to call the cops, or pull any kind of stunt, he felt certain.
He was right. A few moments later, another car arrived. Anthony could not see the colour, but it was a Ford Thunderbird It parked twenty yards from Anthony's Cadillac and a small, slight figure jumped out, leaving the engine running.
'Hello, Billie,' said Anthony.
She looked from him to the monument and saw Pete and Larry up on the raised platform, looking into the circle. She stood frozen, staring.
Anthony walked toward her, 'Don't try anything dramatic - it would upset Larry.'
'Don't talk to me about upsetting him, you son of a bitch.' Her voice cracked with strain. She was near to tears.
'I had to do this.'
'Nobody has to do something like this.'
Her hostility was hardly surprising, but all the same her contempt stung him. He said; 'Do you know the quote from Thomas Jefferson that appears inside this monument, in letters two feet high? It says: 'I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.' That's why I'm doing it'
'The hell with your motives. You've lost sight of whatever ideals you once had. Nothing good can survive this kind of treachery.'
It was a waste of time arguing with her. 'Where's Luke?' he said abruptly.
There was a long pause. At last she said: 'Luke caught a plane to Huntsville.'
Anthony breathed a deep sigh of satisfaction. He had what he needed.
He was also surprised at the answer. 'Why . Huntsville?'
'It's where the army designs the rockets.'
'I know that But why would he go there today? Florida is where it's all happening.'
'I don't know why.'
Anthony tried to read her face, but it was too dark. 'I think you're holding something back.'
'! don't care what you think. I'm going to take my son and leave.'
'No, you're not,' Anthony said. 'We're keeping him for a while.'
Billie's voice was a cry of anguish. 'Why? I've told you where Luke went!'
'There may be other ways you can help us.'
'It's not fair!'
'You'll live.' He turned away.
That was his mistake.
Billie had been half-expecting this.
As Anthony stepped towards his car, she rushed him. With her right shoulder, she hit him in the small of the back. She weighed only 120 pounds, and he had to be fifty pounds heavier, but she had surprise and rage on her side. He stumbled and fell forward, coming down on his hands and knees. He grunted with surprise and pain.
Billie took the Colt from her coat pocket.
As Anthony tried to get up, she charged him again, this time from the side. He crashed to the ground, rolling. As he came face up, she dropped to one knee beside his head and shoved the barrel of the gun forcefully into his mouth. She felt a tooth break.
He froze.
Deliberately, she moved the safety catch up to the firing position. She looked into his eyes and saw fear. He had not expected the gun. A trickle of blood appeared on his chin.
Billie looked up. Larry and the man with him were still gazing at the monument, unaware of the fracas. She returned her attention to Anthony. 'I'm going to take the gun out of your mouth,' she said, panting. 'If you move, I'll kill you. If you're still alive, you're going to call to your colleague and tell him what I say.' She took the gun out of Anthony's mouth and pointed it at his left eye. 'Now,' she said. 'Call him.'
Anthony hesitated.
She touched the barrel of the pistol to his eyelid.
'Pete!' he shouted.
Pete looked around. There was a pause. Pete said in a puzzled tone: 'Where are you?' Anthony and Billie were outside the range of the headlights.
Billie said: Tell him to stay where he is.'
Anthony said nothing. Billie pressed the gun into his eye. Anthony shouted: 'Stay where you are!'
Pete put his hand to his forehead, peering into the dark, looking for the source of the voice: 'What's happening?' he called. 'I can't see you.'
Billie shouted: 'Larry, this is Mom. Get in the T-bird!'
Pete grabbed Larry's arm.
'The man won't let me!' Larry screamed.
'Stay calm!' Billie yelled. 'Uncle Anthony's going to tell the man to let you go.' She pressed the gun barrel harder into Anthony's eye.
'All right!' Anthony cried. She eased the pressure. He shouted: 'Let the kid go!'
Pete said: 'Are you sure?'
'Do what I say, for Christ's sake -she's got a gun on me!'
'Okay!' Pete released Larry's arm.
Larry headed toward the back of the monument then reappeared, seconds later, at ground level. He ran towards Billie. 'Not this way,' she said, struggling to keep her voice calm. 'Get in the car, quickly.'
Larry ran to the Thunderbird and jumped in, slamming the door.
With a quick lashing movement, Billie hit Anthony on both sides of his face with the gun, as hard as she could. He cried out in pain, but before he could move she pushed the gun into his mouth again. He lay still, groaning. She said: 'Remember that if you're ever tempted to kidnap a child again.'
She stood up, withdrawing the gun from his mouth. 'Stay still,' she commanded. She backed towards her car, keeping the gun on him. She glanced up at the monument. Pete had not moved.
She got into her car.
Larry said: 'Have you got a gun?'
She stuffed the Colt inside, her jacket. 'Are you okay?' she asked him. , He started to cry.
