36.
I thought about having the bomb guy simply walk in the front door and hand me the duffel. But even though I’m trusted by the security staff, watchful civilians might take note of the exchange, and report me. If that happens, someone will surely check the duffel, and I’ll find myself crowded into the Marshall’s lounge with my least-favorite family.
So I’ve decided to have the bomb guy ride into the loading area with the getaway car driver. He’ll wait for me there, show me how to detonate the charge, and I’ll help him get through the security door and into the airport so he can catch a cab and be long gone before the action starts.
Lou and I confirm the timetable and synchronize our watches. Then I turn off my cell phone and remove the battery.
I’ve officially gone dark.
Now all I have to do is wait for the weapons to arrive. Then place the explosive. Then wait for the limo driver to show up with his sign. Then see if anyone approaches him. Then start shooting.
Are you beginning to understand the difference between a hit man and an assassin?
37.
I grab a burger, use the bathroom, check my watch. It’s nine p.m. So much going on right now.
My weapons are about to arrive, but my mind is back in Vegas, where Lucky and Gwen are entertaining Maddie. Which means Gwen and Maddie are naked, doing whatever it is they do to each other while Lucky watches. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m a little jealous, I think, and more than a little muffed.
I mean miffed.
I pause, thinking about it. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Gwen won’t participate. Not because I wore her out this afternoon, but because she and I have come a long way in the past day and a half. We’ve not only made a strong connection, we’ve also learned a great deal about each other.
And we’ve been intimate.
I might be wrong, and I know it’s crazy early in our relationship, but—don’t laugh—I believe she’s starting to fall in love with me.
I know.
And brace yourself: I’m developing strong feelings for her.
I know what you’re thinking: every time I sleep with a woman, I fall in love.
Well, you’re right. I have no defense, other than to tell you I only sleep with women who have a special effect on me. Yeah, I know. That sounds like horseshit, even to me.
I know what else you’re thinking: every time I fall in love, something goes wrong. Sooner, not later.
True. But maybe this time things will be different.
I think about how alike we are, and how fate has brought us together. I mean, think about it: I’ve got a chip implanted in my brain, Gwen has a device implanted in her breast. My life is literally in her titty. You can’t make this shit up.
I take a deep breath and decide that what’s happening right now in Vegas needs to stay in Vegas, because I’ve got much more important things to worry about.
If my theory about M is correct, he and his accomplices have landed, and are sitting at the same gate at this very minute. I look at the escalator that leads to the hallway that leads to the gate terminals. People going up one side, heading to outbound flights, others coming down to claim their bags. If I’m right, the four terrorists are on the other end of that hallway. If I’m right, I’m within a mile of them.
If I’m right.
A cold chill of adrenalin surges through my veins, just thinking about it.
They’re here.
I can feel them.
We’re so close.
God, I’d love to snuff this bastard for you guys!
I can’t go into details, but M is bad news. And he’s got some very bad plans for you and your loved ones.
You’ve done nothing to him.
Nothing.
But he wants to hurt you anyway. Wants to maim and kill your children.
We call him M, but as far as I’m concerned, it stands for motherfucker. And while I can’t make you any promises, I’m going to do my best to send this bastard straight to hell tonight, and get him off your list of things to worry about.
38.
Nine-thirty.
