Tightrope (Burning Cove #3)(76)

Jasper’s eyes widened in fury. He took a couple of steps back. For a few seconds his attention was riveted by the flaming fabric.

“You stupid bitch—” he roared.

He brought the nose of the gun up.

But Amalie was in motion. Tossing the burning wrap aside, she grasped the balcony railing and vaulted over the edge.

Realizing that he had lost his primary target, Jasper moved to the railing and took aim at Luther.

Matthias had his gun out of his concealed ankle holster. The shot caught Jasper in the chest. He jerked violently and took a step back. He got off a shot but it tore into a wall. Luther dove under the table, retrieved his weapon, and fired.

Jasper grunted and shuddered under the impact. He dropped the gas canister. It landed on the mezzanine floor. Everyone except Matthias froze, waiting for the fatal hissing sound that would spell doom for all of them.

Nothing happened.

“The fire,” Raina shouted. “It’s spreading to the tablecloth.”

“Damned if I’ll let that bastard destroy my club,” Luther said.

He headed for the mezzanine stairs. The two security guards leaped up to follow him.

Amalie dangled in midair, both of her hands wrapped around the railing. It was a long drop to the floor—not a killing fall, Matthias thought, but far enough to break an ankle.

“I could really use a ladder,” Amalie said.

“Hang on,” Matthias said.

He holstered his gun and crossed the space to a point just beneath her dangling feet.

“Let go,” he said. “I’ll catch you.”

She didn’t question him. She released her grip on the railing and fell straight into his arms. He staggered a little under her weight but he didn’t lose his balance.

“I’ve got you,” he said.

“Yes,” she said. “You do.”

He set her lightly on her feet. She turned in his arms. He pulled her close and tightened his grip on her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him.

Up on the balcony Luther and the security guards quickly beat out the flames.

Raina looked at Matthias.

“How did you know the canister wasn’t going to explode and release the poison gas?” she asked.

Matthias thought about the harsh dissonance in the thundering frequencies of Jasper Calloway’s threat.

“He lied,” Matthias said.

Luther appeared at the mezzanine railing and looked down. He was grim-faced.

“The FBI won’t be getting any answers out of Calloway,” he announced. “And neither will anyone else.”

Matthias released Amalie. “Dead?”

“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.”