“Warren,” Freihof said as he answered. “I’m busy. I don’t have time to talk to you anymore.”
“I think you do, Freihof. Especially since I haven’t quite been honest with you.”
“Oh, yeah, about what?”
Ren opened the door to the office and ended the call. Freihof spun around, eyes wide.
“The fact that I’m here in city hall, for one thing,” Ren said.
Freihof immediately held out the pressure trigger in front of him. “Stay back. If I let go of this trigger, this entire building is going to blow. So if you decide to shoot me, we die together.”
Ren took out his sidearm and laid it on the ground, then did the same with his ankle holster. “I’m not going to shoot you.” He kicked them both away.
“How did you know where I was?”
He needed to convince Freihof that he really was just a peon in Omega and he was here alone. “I figured it out when you said that you were somewhere that was special to you and Natalie. I know you got married here.”
“And all your Omega buddies?”
Ren took a tiny step forward. “You’re right. Nobody is very interested in hearing what a peon has to say. They’re all out searching your previous property and places you were known to go. I told them I was coming here but none of them would listen.”
Freihof scoffed and relaxed just slightly. Ren took the opportunity to take another step toward the man.
“That’s the problem with Omega. They’re so gung-ho for action. Always with the working harder rather than smarter. Don’t truly think like ateam.”
“Oh, I think they can when it’s truly important. I just don’t think I’m part of the team.” Another half step. He was about eight feet from Freihof now. “Where is Natalie? That’s all I care about.”
“I’m afraid my wife will no longer be available to play the whore for you, Mr. Thompson.”
“Is she dead?”
Freihof looked down at the phone in his hand and Ren quickly took another step forward.
“She’s not dead yet. Although right about now I’d say she’s probably wishing she was.”
Ren swallowed the fear and fury Freihof’s words ignited. “Tell me where she is and I’ll let you go.”
The other man laughed heartily. “See, this is the problem with newbies. You think you have control of the situation, but you don’t. You don’t get to tell me when I go or don’t go, because I’m the one holding the pressure trigger.” Freihof put the phone down on a chair next to a wall and picked up one of the guns Ren had kicked away. “And now I’m holding your gun. So I’m afraid I’m going to walk out of here right after I shoot you.”
“Ren?” Ashton’s voice was in his ear. “I’ve still got the shot.”
Ren gave a slight shake of his head.
“Ren says no.” This time it was Lillian’s voice in his ear. Ashton would only have his sights trained on Freihof, and wouldn’t be able to see Ren.
It wasn’t time yet. Now that Freihof had weapons, he was feeling more secure. Ren was able to take another step closer under the guise of dejection. He was almost close enough. Would almost be able to take the leap and catch the pressure trigger once Ashton took his shot.
“Holding until the go phrase is given,” Ashton muttered. “But hurry up or he’s going to shoot you, Ren.”
“My name isn’t Warren Thompson.” Another step.
Freihof’s eyes narrowed. “So? I don’t really care what your name is. Soon you’ll be dead.”
“My name is Ren McClement.”
“I’ve still never heard of you.”
Ren shook his head. “No, you wouldn’t have. I’m not part of the Critical Response unit. I’m not part of any official Omega unit. Look at me, Freihof. Do I look like I’m a newbie?”
