Page 120 of Seven Deadly Sins

“I could.” He’d deal with the consequences. “I do my best to remain professional, sir, but if I’m not back in time, not only Detective Scranton will die. There are people in that bank. This man,” he motioned to the rooftop. “Is not shooting anyone. He only wants the recognition of Thompson.”

The Director nodded. “You’re right. I’ll call and have the jet ready for you. Good luck, Agent.”

Liam didn’t need to be told twice. He sprinted for his car.

Chapter Six

Look at allthose wanting to help. Robert rubbed his hands together. The poor fool on top of the apartment building would be there for a long time.

He couldn’t hear what had been said to Agent McConnell, but he read lips fairly well and got the gist of his conversation with the Director. The man on the building wanted acknowledgement. Something Robert couldn’t give him.

Giving the man the address to the compound was a definite no. Sending him somewhere else to be picked up was also a negative. The feds would be waiting, and he didn’t have enough followers to lose any at that time. This particular fool would lose patience and get himself killed.

A real pity. He could use followers as determined as the last two.

His phone rang. “Yeah.”

“It’s getting hot around here. How long do you want me to record the parking lot?”

“Until the agent arrives. The reporters will take it from there. At that time, you find a place to hide out until we figure out what to do with the woman.”

“Detonation?”

“I haven’t decided. She’s doing exactly what we’re asking her to. I think she could be convinced to join us if we give her time.” He wasn’t averse to brainwashing if it got him the results he needed. What he needed was women added to his compound before the men got restless.

~

Lucy cursed and kept the camera on the tripod aimed at the parking lot. Police officers, SWAT team, and reporters milled around like ants. Her finger itched to press the detonation button. Not only would those inside be blown to bits, but several of those outside. It would be a sight for sure.

What was taking the agent so long? Didn’t he care about his partner inside?

She called Robert. “Where is the agent?”

“He has until nightfall. Be patient.”

“That’s hours away.” Her stomach growled and she reached for the almost empty water bottle nearby. “You aren’t paying me enough.”

“Sure, I am.”

“Considering you can’t get to the majority of your money, no, you aren’t.”

“I pay you from my offshore accounts. Don’t get greedy, Lucy. It won’t end pretty.”

For him, anyway. She hung up and leaned against the air conditioning unit on the roof of the building she sat on. She moved the camera around a bit so those down below couldn’t easily determine where the filming came from, but that ploy wouldn’t work much longer.

Sooner or later, someone would figure it out. Most likely the handsome agent.

Ah. Finally.

A car stopped on this side of the barrier. The agent flung his door open and darted to the chief’s side. For now, Lucy was finished.

She gathered up the camera and tripod and climbed down the fire escape into the alley behind the bank. She propped the tripod on her shoulder, tugged the baseball cap she wore firmly on her head, and strolled whistling to where she’d left her car. After stowing the things in the trunk, she headed for the coffee shop where she could safely watch the day’s excitement without worrying about the blast. For a while, at least. Then she’d move somewhere else. She didn’t want to attract too much attention by staying in one place for too long, and the coffee shop wasn’t as close to the action as she’d like.

~

After entering the bank, Harper had given a head count. Ten inside, not counting her and Stephanie. “Anyone in the restroom?”

“We don’t know.” A thin man approached her. “I’m the manager, Bill Cox. What’s the plan?”