She started to pass out. It was over.
It was—
Chapter 63
Her bloodcurdling scream filled my ears.
I dropped my mug and darted out of the kitchen. I turned into the Work hallway and ran like hell. I reached the Whitlow laboratory in a matter of seconds.
Beverly screamed again. Her voice sounded weak, lifeless.
I grabbed the knob and threw my weight against the door. It crashed open and I raced into the laboratory. It was shrouded in shadow and flickering candlelight.
Beverly lay on the table. Roy Savala stood over her. He held a pillow in both hands. It was pushed against her face. She struggled to resist, but her movements were slow, lethargic. Ben Savala stood a few feet away, watching everything with mild disinterest.
I grabbed my machete.
Roy ducked behind Beverly's slumped body. "Shoot him," he yelled.
Ben started to lift a rifle.
Still rubbing his eyes, Jenner raced into the room. He quickly assessed the situation. He produced a pistol and leveled it at Ben. "Don't even think about it."
Slowly, Ben lowered his hands.
Where the hell did all of these guns come from?
I circled to the side. "What's this about, Roy?"
"She saw something she shouldn't have seen."
"And what was that?"
"Something I'll die to protect."
"Did you blow up the power plant?" I asked. "Did you kill Ted?"
"No." He shifted again, doing his best to keep Beverly between us. "I'm sorry about this. I never wanted anyone to get hurt."
Our movements caused a series of light breezes. They extinguished most of the candles, sending the room into near darkness. Just three candles remained lit. They cast small, wavering shadows on the walls.
My palms started to sweat. The machete felt slippery in my fingers. "You don't have to hurt her."
"I'm afraid that's not true."
"There's no way out of here."
"Is that right?" He snaked his arm around Beverly's neck. "Back up, into the hallway. Otherwise, I'll kill her."
He was planning to kill her anyway. So, I coiled up my body and sprang at him. At the same time, I thrust out my arm, aiming for his exposed side.
He parried the blow and socked me in the jaw. My vision exploded into lights. I went low and kicked at his legs.
He grunted in pain and released Beverly. Then his other fist slammed into the side of my head.
I dropped the machete. My cheek started to sting. My vision blurred.
My boot lashed out again. It slammed into his left leg. His knee buckled. He clutched at it and lost his balance. Moments later, he crashed to the floor.
Gunfire erupted from both sides of the room. It sounded like a full-scale riot. The air swished. Another light vaporized.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Roy yank a pistol from his belt. I grabbed my machete and ducked under his gun. My arm coiled up and I snapped a vicious fist into his ribs.
They cracked softly. He gasped for air.
I sliced my blade at his thigh. It cut through his pants. Blood seeped out of his leg. It stained his clothes, giving them a pinkish hue.
He roared in anger.
I rose up, punching at the same time. My fist connected with his jaw.
He crumpled to the ground. I started toward him but a hail of gunfire drove me backward.
I scrambled across the room. Ben swung his gun, tracking my movements. Bullets chewed at the air around me.
Jenner squeezed his trigger finger. Bullets sailed into Ben. His chest exploded. Blood flew everywhere.
"Ben." Roy scrambled across the room. "Damn it, Ben. Get up."
I crouched down and pulled Beverly off the table. Then I picked up Roy's pistol. Sweat poured from my fingers, leaving my hands a big sloppy mess. But I managed to keep hold of the weapon.
The air swished again. The last candle blew out. Cold darkness overtook every inch of the room.
A map materialized in my brain. I pictured the long table. I imagined the desks, chairs, and other pieces of furniture. I conjured up memories of wastebaskets, books, and other items dotting the floor.
Pushing away from the wall, I crept forward.
I stayed light on my toes. With each step, I expected Roy to jump out of the darkness with Ben's rifle in his hands. Before I could move, he'd fire a hail of death in my direction. But as I continued to cross the room, I saw nothing, heard nothing, felt nothing.
Show yourself, damn it.
My senses heightened. My visibility increased a couple of feet. I detected scuffling sounds coming from the opposite end of the room.
Is that you, Aaron?
I took cover behind a filing cabinet and peeked around the corner. I saw a hint of Ben's shadowy figure. It lay behind a table. I kept my eye on it for a few seconds.
It didn't move a muscle.
I crept toward Ben. He was huddled on the ground, surrounded by blood. I felt his pulse. Then I exhaled.
One down. One to go.
I heard a click. The door opened and bit of light entered the room. Then it closed over again.
Damn it.
I jumped to my feet and ran to the door. I twisted my head, studying every inch of the hallway.
But Roy had vanished.
Chapter 64
"What the hell happened?" Graham hobbled into the laboratory. He turned his head, taking stock of the situation.
Trotter limped in after him. His face looked pale. "Everyone okay? It sounded like World War III in here."
"Did you see Roy?" Jenner asked.
"Sure did," Graham said. "Just a second ago. He was running toward the common room. Nearly knocked me down."
Carefully, I set Beverly on the table. I placed a pillow beneath her head. Then I lifted my hand and held it over her mouth. I felt nothing.
Nervous energy flowed through me. I shifted my arm. My fingers grazed her neck. Holding my breath, I felt her pulse. But my fingers trembled and I couldn't get a read on it.
I wiped my hand on my shirt. Steeling it, I checked her pulse again. It was soft, but steady. Then I checked her breathing. This time, I felt soft air push against my hand. She'd be okay.
At least for now.
"She's fine." I nodded at the corner. "I can't say the same about Ben though."
Trotter's eyes widened. "You killed him?"
"I did. He didn't give me much of a choice." Jenner looked at Graham. "Is Roy still in the common room?"
Graham shook his head. "He ran outside."
I glanced at Graham. "Can you keep an eye on Beverly?"
He nodded.
"Lock the door behind us. Roy might try to double back." I looked at Jenner and Trotter. "Come with me."
We ran to the common room. Then we threw on our parkas and darted to the door.
I lifted my newly acquired pistol. "Stick together and keep your eyes open. He could be anywhere."
We ran outside of Kirby. Sharp wind stung my face. I raced to the vehicle shed. One of the Sno-Cats was missing.
"Damn it," Jenner said. "He got away."
"Maybe for now." Kneeling down, I studied the snow. "Next time, he won't be so lucky."
Chapter 65
"This place can't get any crazier," Graham mumbled to himself. "It's impossible."
He shut the door and locked it. Using his flashlight, he located a lighter. He quickly relit the candles. They flickered gently.