Page 97 of Tightrope

“Trust me.”

She moved her hand a little, allowing the trailing edge of her delicate wrap to dip into the candle flame. The gossamer fabric caught fire in an instant. Amalie screamed and leaped to her feet.

Jasper’s eyes widened in fury. He took a couple of steps back. For a few seconds his attention was riveted by the flaming fabric.

“You stupid bitch—” he roared.

He brought the nose of the gun up.

But Amalie was in motion. Tossing the burning wrap aside, she grasped the balcony railing and vaulted over the edge.

Realizing that he had lost his primary target, Jasper moved to the railing and took aim at Luther.

Matthias had his gun out of his concealed ankle holster. The shot caught Jasper in the chest. He jerked violently and took a step back. He got off a shot but it tore into a wall. Luther dove under the table, retrieved his weapon, and fired.

Jasper grunted and shuddered under the impact. He dropped the gas canister. It landed on the mezzanine floor. Everyone except Matthias froze, waiting for the fatal hissing sound that would spell doom for all of them.

Nothing happened.

“The fire,” Raina shouted. “It’s spreading to the tablecloth.”

“Damned if I’ll let that bastard destroy my club,” Luther said.

He headed for the mezzanine stairs. The two security guards leaped up to follow him.

Amalie dangled in midair, both of her hands wrapped around the railing. It was a long drop to the floor—not a killing fall, Matthias thought, but far enough to break an ankle.

“I could really use a ladder,” Amalie said.

“Hang on,” Matthias said.

He holstered his gun and crossed the space to a point just beneath her dangling feet.

“Let go,” he said. “I’ll catch you.”

She didn’t question him. She released her grip on the railing and fell straight into his arms. He staggered a little under her weight but he didn’t lose his balance.

“I’ve got you,” he said.

“Yes,” she said. “You do.”

He set her lightly on her feet. She turned in his arms. He pulled her close and tightened his grip on her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him.

Up on the balcony Luther and the security guards quickly beat out the flames.

Raina looked at Matthias.

“How did you know the canister wasn’t going to explode and release the poison gas?” she asked.

Matthias thought about the harsh dissonance in the thundering frequencies of Jasper Calloway’s threat.

“He lied,” Matthias said.

Luther appeared at the mezzanine railing and looked down. He was grim-faced.

“The FBI won’t be getting any answers out of Calloway,” he announced. “And neither will anyone else.”

Matthias released Amalie. “Dead?”