Page 81 of Wild Oblivion

“You’re certain?”

“I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

"That's what you said before."

"I was certain when I said it."

My lips tightened, and I contained myself. "Which bank?"

"Coconut National."

I exhaled a frustrated breath and said to Juan, "How fast can you get this back together?”

He shrugged. “We need to go to the store, get backfill, quikrete, rebar, and tile.” He looked at his watch. “It’s also time for lunch.”

“I’ll grab lunch and meet you back here.”

“Okay. I need money for supplies.”

Jack pulled a fat wad from his pocket and peeled off enough crisp bills to cover costs. “Do not go to a strip club.”

Juan raised his hands innocently. With a slight grin, he said, “I am a man of God.”

Juan and Jesus left. They hopped into their van and took off.

"It's Saturday," Jack said. "The bank doesn't open till Monday. How do you plan on getting into the vault?”

"I’m just going to say it right now. We are not breaking into the bank."

42

Getting into the bank wasn't as difficult as I anticipated.

A call to the manager and an explanation of the situation got us access. We had worked with him previously on a robbery case. He felt obligated to lend his assistance after hours.

Henrik’s memory may have been a little dodgy about where he hid the crystal, but at least the key to the safe deposit box was still on his key ring.

The bank manager had the other key.

Like launching a nuke, both of them inserted their keys into the slots and twisted. The manager opened the door and yanked the box out. He set it on the table in the room. "I'll give you some privacy," he said before stepping out.

We all stared at the box for a moment, hoping against hope that it wouldn't be empty. At this point, I gave it 50-50.Anticipation sizzled my skin, and my heartbeat may have elevated.

Henrik lifted the lid, and a faint blue glow illuminated his smiling face. "I told you."

JD and I peered into the box to marvel at the Vrilkristall.

"Where did this thing come from?" I asked.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you.”

He was probably right about that. I didn’t believe half of this nonsense.

"Go ahead, touch it. It won't hurt you."

"It’s not radioactive, is it?" JD asked.

Henrik looked at him like he was crazy. "No. The crystal focuses and amplifies energy. Under the right circumstances, it can create enough negative energy to power a time dilation device.”