“Why are you doing this?” I asked.
“I’ve already explained to you. Why aren’t you listening?” He frowned. “Because of the fire. Do you not understand the beauty of the explosion? That moment—the second before the fire lives—where all is silent? That moment is everything. You will feel it and you will understand.”
Kelsey sniffed. “Please don’t leave us with a bomb.”
“It’s not just a bomb,” he said, almost gently.
I sneezed. “Why do I smell…hydrogen peroxide and, um, gunpowder?”
“I must’ve spilled a bit,” Barensky said, his tone almost teasing. “Sorry about that.”
Kelsey gulped. “Hydrogen peroxide? The stuff you use to clean earrings?”
“It’s also an explosive material, right?” I asked, twisting to see if there was any way to loosen the brace on my leg. The thing was solid.
“Yes,” Barensky said proudly like I was his prized pupil. “I’d like to stay and chat, but I must get going. This first real strike against Devlin must happen now.” He took out a phone and dialed a number. “Hello. Please connect me to ATF SRT Agent Aiden Devlin. I have his girlfriend attached to an IED.” Then he winked at me.
It took a couple of minutes, but I finally heard Aiden’s voice. “This is Devlin.”
“Hello, Agent Devlin. It’s so enticing to play against you.” Barensky switched on the camera and pointed it at me. “The timer is already set and we’re in the fifth hangar at the Timber City Airport. You have fifteen minutes until the fire wins. Goodbye for now.” He tossed the phone over his shoulder, and it broke into pieces on the cement when it hit. He moved toward the device.
I stiffened and tried to edge away.
Then he pushed the bottom of the protruding pocket. “There you go. He might make it in fifteen minutes. The game has to be fair, after all.”
“No.” I shook my head. “You don’t want it to be fair.” I scouted the area again. “How many devices do you have planted here?” If he wanted maximum casualties, he’d have secondary devices ready to go when emergency crews arrived.
He patted my head. “You are smart, aren’t you?”
I jerked away from him. “Take Kelsey with you. She’s not involved with the ATF or Aiden’s team. There’s no reason for her to be here.”
“She’s a pawn. Pawns are always sacrificed.” He leaned over and tossed his duffel bag on his shoulder. “Good luck.” Then he jogged out into the storm and slammed the door shut.
Kelsey jumped.
I tried not to move too much since I was attached to a bomb.
Chapter 40
“Okay.” I tried to keep from freaking out. How stable were the explosives? “Kelsey? We have to get you free. Pull on the hook with all of your strength—away from me. Try not to nudge me at all.”
She flipped around, twisting her arm. Then she put both feet against the wall and shoved, grunting with the effort.
Nothing happened.
She fought wildly, kicking and pulling, crying and grunting. Finally, she hung her head and sobbed, her arm over her shoulder. Then she twisted back around and sat, straightening her legs. “The cement is solid.”
My leg was starting to twitch. It had to stay still. “That didn’t work. Next plan? Let’s scream,” I said. Maybe there was somebody around the airport checking on their plane or something.
“What about sound vibrations?” she asked wearily, putting her head back on the wall. “What if vibrations ignite the bomb?”
I tried to keep my breathing even so I didn’t hyperventilate. “That’s a good point.” What about sound vibrations? “I don’t know.”
Thunder roared outside.
“Nobody is out there, anyway,” Kelsey said quietly. “Yelling is too much of a risk.” She looked sideways at me. “Do you have anything in your hair that we can use to pick the locks?”
“No,” I said, looking down my body. “Nothing. Wait a minute.” I barely shifted my shoulders. “What about underwire? My bra has some.”
