Page 98 of Tightrope

“Not yet, but he will be soon,” Luther said. “One of my men is calling an ambulance, but I doubt if it will get here in time.”

Matthias took the stairs to the mezzanine level two at a time.

Jasper Calloway was sprawled on his back on the floor. The pool of blood around him was spreading rapidly. The shots had punched through his leather vest. One of the security guards was trying to stanch the flow but it was clear that there was no hope.

Luther crouched beside the dying man.

Jasper coughed. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He opened his eyes partway.

“How did you know?” he managed in a grating whisper.

“That there was no poison gas?” Luther said. “Mr. Jones has a talent for detecting lies.”

“I underestimated both of you,” Jasper said hoarsely. “Figured you both for a couple of ambitious mob guys who were trying to expand their business operations. Thought you were in over your heads. But you’re not mob, are you? Who the hell are you?”

“Why did you do it, Calloway?” Luther said, not answering the question. “It wasn’t just about the money, was it?”

Jasper grunted. “You know what they say about revenge.”

“Something about digging two graves before you set out on that path, as I recall,” Luther said.

“It’s a drug,” Jasper said. “At the start it gives you a purpose. A reason to live. Eventually it takes over your life.”

“You don’t have a lot of time left,” Luther said. “You can undo some of the damage. Clear your conscience a little. Who is the real client for the cipher machine?”

Jasper managed a harsh chuckle. “You and Jones are agents, aren’t you? Hell of a cover you’ve created. Got to give you credit for that. I never saw through it.”

“This is your last chance to make things right,” Luther said. “Who did you plan to sell the cipher machine to?”

“Now, why would I make it easy for you?” Jasper tried to laugh and ended up choking on blood. “Here’s where things get interesting. My revenge isn’t finished.”

Matthias got the familiar chill across his senses. The frequencies and the wavelengths were distorted by impending death but there was no mistaking the energy that shivered in Jasper’s words.

“He’s telling the truth,” Matthias said. “At least what he believes to be the truth.”

Luther leaned over Jasper and looked into the dying man’s eyes.

“What did you mean when you said that your revenge wasn’t finished?” Luther said.

“Every good horror movie ends with the promise of a sequel,” Jasper said. “Just wish I was going to be around to see what happens next.”

The last spark of life in his eyes died. Matthias knew he was gone.

Luther’s jaw tightened. He got to his feet.

Sirens sounded in the distance.

“That will be the ambulance and the cops,” Luther said.

Matthias looked at the briefcase. Without a word he crossed to the table and unlatched the case.

There was one object inside—a small leather-bound notebook. Matthias took it out.

“Are we going to give this to the FBI along with the cipher machine?” he asked.

“We’ll make that decision after we examine it,” Luther said.

“Help.”Vincent’s Hyde’s deep, resonant voice boomed through the club. “Somebody call a doctor. I’m bleeding. I may be dying.”