Page 128 of The Atlas Maneuver

AIKO HEARDMALONE’S COMMAND AND ALSO SPOTTED SOMETHING INthe one man’s upheld hand.

“He’s got a controller for a C-4 detonator,” Malone called out from above.

And she knew what that meant.

“You need to drop that,” she told the man, keeping the gun trained straight on him.

Suddenly one of the doors from the main house burst open and a guard, armed with a rifle, emerged. He seemed frantic and anxious.

Malone screamed in French, “Don’t shoot.”

The man planted his feet and pointed the weapon.

She had no choice.

She aimed her gun at the guard and fired.

CATHERINE TRIED TO CALM HER GUESTS WITH A REASSURING VOICE. “Please, remain in your seats. We have an extensive security detail and I am sure they are dealing with the problem. It’s important for us to stay out of the way and allow them to handle things. I will check to see what’s happening and report back in a moment.”

Several had risen from their chairs and started for the exit.

“Again, please, just relax and let me see what the problem is. You’re safest inside here.”

She’d heard a variety of gunfire. One report was a single round. Others were staccatos of rapid fire. None of which could be good. But the bank had employed a huge array of local private security and she’d been assured that the compound was safe. She caughtsight of Kelly, who remained in her chair, surprisingly calm, just watching everyone around her, perhaps thinking the gunfire was a supposed rescuer. Hardly. How could anyone even know she was here?

Another shot rang out.

The side walls of the tent prevented any line of sight. She should exit and see about things. Where were the guards? She heard raised voices from outside but could not make out what was said. The purr of the air conditioners blocked all but the loudest of noises.

More gunfire.

Like a machine gun.

She moved toward the exit and noticed that the flaps had been zipped shut in the middle. She reached up to grab the zipper, then something strange washed over her and a rush of air filled her ears. Intense heat and pressure swept across her face.

Which burned.

A sick feeling of dread filled the pit of her stomach as a concussion of pressure threw her off her feet.

And the world dissolved.

CHAPTER 74

CASSIOPEIA STOOD IN THE REPOSITORY’S MAIN FOYER AND STARED OUTthe plate-glass windows. The small cobbled square that separated the building from the street was filled with armed, uniformed Swiss military who stood before the entrance and a contingent of plainclothes individuals closer to the street. Four men, two women.

“The tall guy,” Koger said, “is my boss. A deputy director from Langley. I’m assuming he’s in Europe overseeing Neverlight. A butt kisser to the highest degree. But one thing is sure, he only does what he’s told. Not a bone of self-initiative in that man’s body.”

“It’s a stand-off out there,” she said.

Koger glared out the glass. “That it is. But I think we may be able to break that stalemate.”

He headed for the opening blown in the glass and stepped outside. Cassiopeia followed. Jeanne was still below, in the vault, dealing with the gold. Koger had recorded a video of the entire room and forwarded it somewhere on his phone. Where? He’d not shared that info. And she knew better than to ask. They marched past the Swiss officers and approached the Americans.

“Surprised to see me?” Koger asked.

The other man said nothing.

“Cassiopeia,” Koger said, “this is my boss, deputy director of something or another, I’m not really sure. I don’t even like to use his name. I call him PIMA. Pain in my ass. He got stuck with me and made it clear from day one that he was no friend of mine. I suspect he’s been waiting for a report that I was dead. Along with you too, I might add.”