The secretary of defense scowled. She straightened her suit and headed toward the door.
Her eyes met Sam’s.
“Don’t worry Mr. Reilly. He’ll never make it out of the building alive,” she said defiantly, as she stepped out through the door.
Sam watched her go. He noticed that she’d made no reference to whether or not he would make it out of the building alive.
His attacker latched the door behind her.
It appeared to be an ornamental door, made out of rich mahogany, but had two linings of lead, designed to stop the interference of listening devices from eavesdropping. The metal latch was solid. It would be impossible to kick in and it would take time for the marines, stationed nearby to retrieve a battering ram.
The stranger pushed him hard enough that he hit the floor.
By the time Sam was on his feet again, his attacker was pointing a handgun at him. It was a Glock 19. The weapon had no safety latch. It was designed to be used by law enforcement for its reliability and the immediate nature of its firing capability.
Sam glanced at his attacker.
The man was tall, a little taller than himself, at probably six foot-two. He had short brown hair and a strong jawline that women sometimes found attractive. He had a youthful appearance, like a man still in his early twenties, and the athletic frame of a soldier, with broad shoulders and muscular arms.
The man’s piercing violet colored eyes fixed on him. “Where am I?”
Sam replied, “This is the Secretary’s Office.”
“What building?”
Sam squinted, surprise creeping in at his attacker’s obvious confusion. “The Pentagon.”
“The Pentagon!” The man’s eyes flashed anger. “What the hell am I doing at the Pentagon?”
“I have no idea.”
The man paused.
His focus was shifting fractionally in and out, his brows rising and falling a little, the shape of his mouth always changing, as if he was constantly thinking. As if there was a computer behind his eyes, running at full speed.
“I need to get out of here!”
“That might be difficult,” Sam pointed out pragmatically. “We’re near the center of the Pentagon. Already, there must be a hundred soldiers swarming toward this office. The building’s going to be on lockdown. No one’s getting in or out.”
The stranger smiled sardonically. “Then we’d better move quickly. Because if I die, you die.”