“You ever hear of Jackson Pharmaceuticals?”
I nod.Who hasn’t?
“I work for them. Well, I did, up until a few weeks ago. The company asked me to research the contaminated vaccine, find out what happened. They gave me free access to all their files. That’s when I discovered the whole damn flu vaccine is a huge hoax. Even if you take it, there’s less than a five percent chance you’ll be protected. I was about to blow the whistle to the Feds when these Chinese guys broke into my lab and dragged me off.”
“Forgive me for being rude, but why not just kill you?”
His grin is lopsided and must hurt like hell. “I have documented proof and I made sure the Chinese knew all about it. If they kill me, my paperwork goes straight to my pal who writes for The Times.”
I stare, not quite able to fully believe him but somehow his story rings true. I did some research and after, never again got a flu shot. “Isn’t anyone looking for you?”
His eyelids shut and he shudders. “I just don’t know… When those kids died, I was so, so angry.”
Taking a deep breath, he exhales slowly, his battered face scrunching up in pain. “So, I explained whyI’mhere. What about you?”
I sit in the office chair spinning in circles. There’s got to be something sharp so I can free my hands. “My husband is Senator McAlister’s bodyguard. A few days ago, someone tried to kill him. I’m betting these guys are using me to get to him. We need to get out of here.”
“Good luck with that.” He rests his head back on the floor staring up at the ceiling.
It’s true the office doesn’t have much to offer. There’s a white board with some sort of schedule written on it, markers, and a coffee maker. There’s not much else but a pile of cardboard boxes. I stomp on one and it breaks open but it only contains bottles of liquid.
I twist my hands, trying to free myself from my tight bonds. “Philip, I need something sharp to get out of these.”
“Don’t even try. They’ll beat you to within an inch of your life if you’re caught. You’re far too pretty for that.” Philip sounds discouraged and I can’t blame him. He doesn’t know I’ve got a weapon under my arm.
Standing, I move the boxes aside. Behind them, there’s a small pile of broken electric tools with paper tags tied to them.
Eureka!I sit so the pile is behind my back and work my plastic tie-wraps over the broken edge of a thick drill bit.
Suddenly, the door opens and slams so hard, the opposite wall shakes. Mr. Sneer gazes around the room, his eyes stopping on my face. Immediately, my eyes lower, my heart thumping so loud I’m sure he can hear it.
“Stand up.” His cold command sends chills down my back. Am I to be beaten like Philip or killed outright?
I roll to my knees and when he reaches into his jacket, I say a small prayer.
Please God, take care of Jack.In a few seconds I’ll be in heaven with our baby. My husband is the one who’ll need strength to carry on.
I struggle to my feet biting my cheek, all the while my gaze is glued to his hand. It slips out but it’s not holding a gun, rather my phone. He must be getting off on my fear because he chuckles as he plugs in my sim card and places a call.
“Hello?” At the sound of Jack’s worried tone, my heart goes out to him.
“Hello, Jack you there?” I want to say more but Mr. Sneer pulls me back.
“Back off.” He cuts the connection.
“No… wait. He needs to know I’m okay.”Jack, oh Jack. I’m so sorry.
“If you behave, I’ll let you talk to him later. Sit down.”
Shaking, I do as he says, for the first-time tears rolling down my cheeks. Then, I remember the drill bit, back up, and sit down more determined than ever.
When Mr. Sneer glances my way, I scoot my back to the wall and pretend to rest. However, my mind races as I plan my escape. When another voice shouts out in Chinese, Mr. Sneer answers back with an angry tone. Face red, he picks up the phone and storms out of the office.
With my window of opportunity almost at an end, I rub my wrists against the sharp edge of the bit not caring when I nick flesh. This may be my only chance to escape and I won’t screw up.
When the plastic cracks off, I whisper, “Philip. Wake up. We have to go.”
He moans. “I can’t. Not with this leg.”
