Page 173 of Seven Deadly Sins

For a second, tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. She returned the sentiment and refused to lose hope.

Annie led them to a storm shelter. It looked like the very one Amber had been held in. Two chairs had been placed in the center of the room. Wrist shackles were bolted to the far wall. Two men stood at attention. “Sit.” Annie turned on the camera and smiled at the lens. The two men tied their arms to the chair armrests and their feet to the legs.

Almost immediately, Harper’s hands started tingling from the tight binds. “Now what?”

“You wait for Mr. Thompson. I’m sure he won’t be long.” She left with the men.

No light pierced the darkness except for a small one placed above the camera to shine on their faces. She shared another glance with Liam, not wanting to say anything personal while being filmed.

Would Robert torture them before killing? Would he kill them slow? She didn’t think her death would be quick. Not if he wanted to keep the world watching. She stiffened her shoulders and stared into the camera lens.

A loud battering sounded, muffled, but still audible. The strong gate was being attacked.

“Help is coming.” Liam grinned.

“Yep. Hopefully, they’ll break through in time. The closer they get, the sooner Robert will come for us.” If they kept talking, the chief and the director would get word from the live feed. Maybe, they’d slow the attack and give her and Liam some more time.

Liam nodded and studied the room. “Nothing here for us to use.” He jerked against his ties. “Solid. Thompson had definitely turned the storm shelter on the north side of the house into a prison cell. Good thing we found that hole in the fence where they hadn’t strung the electric wire. Easy access.”

Harper grinned. He gave those on the other side of the fence their exact whereabouts and how to get in. “Right. Finding that hole sure helped put us in a good place. I’m being facetious.”

“I could tell. Solid concrete blocks. This cellar can withstand almost anything, I bet. Even fire.”

Harper widened her eyes. Fire would burn the house full of women and children. It would be Waco all over again. “No fire.”

“If the people are warned first…”

She stared at the camera. “Please, no fire.”

“I’m trying to get us out of here.”

“Not at the expense of civilians.” She narrowed her eyes. “I couldn’t.” Did Liam have a cruel strength or merely being practical?

“You know I’ll do everything in my power to keep the loss of life to zero, but some things may be out of our control. It’s best the people are warned.”

Less than five minutes later, Payson issued the command that Robert had until sunrise to surrender, or the compound would be set on fire. Any of his followers willing to come out would be given safe passage back to Oakdale.

The war had started.

~

Robert downed the last of his whiskey and laughed. Threats were useless. His people were willing to be martyrs for the cause. They weren’t afraid. But, it might be time to move things along. Punishment awaits, and he intended to enjoy what the agent and detective will go through.

He marched to the barn and asked for a volunteer. Someone not afraid to be on camera doing something most people would think vile. A man in his twenties, Bruce Holder and already hardened by life, stepped forward.

“Good. You’ll be handsomely rewarded in our new world. Follow me.”

Bruce followed without a word. This was the type of follower Robert appreciated. One who volunteered before knowing what the job would entail.

He stopped at a shed and pulled out what he needed before leading Bruce to the cellar. “You may keep your face away from the camera if you’ll feel more comfortable.”

“I’m not worried about being seen.”

“Very good. Are you armed?”

“Yes, sir.”

Robert held out his hand. “I would like to borrow your weapon, please. Only until the prisoner is secured.”