A Chip and a Chair (Seven of Spades, #5)(60)

The video started.

It was the same American flag backdrop, the same Reagan masks, except this time, there were only two men. They’d added a table, on which ten metal briefcases were stacked in a wide pyramid.

“The devil known as the Seven of Spades has slaughtered fifteen of our people,” said the man in front. His voice was recognizable as the one who’d spoken in the last video. “That’s fifteen God-fearing patriots who were struck down for defending their country. They’re martyrs, all of them, and they will not be forgotten.”

Next to Levi, Martine whispered, “I can never tell if freaks like this actually believe the crap they’re spouting, or if they’re just using it as an excuse to be terrible people.”

“But this act of war cannot go unanswered,” the man said. “This is our response.”

He gestured to the second man, who popped open the pyramid’s top briefcase, revealing that it was stuffed to the brim with banded stacks of hundred-dollar bills.

Gasps sounded all around Levi. Dominic gripped his elbow.

Though the mask hid the man’s expression, Levi could tell from his tone of voice that he was smirking. “Utopia will give ten million dollars cash to anyone who brings Detective Levi Abrams to us alive.”





The man in the video was still speaking, but Dominic was no longer listening. His mind was working five steps ahead, mapping out strategies and planning contingencies.

Shocked whispers rippled through the packed bullpen, and although everyone was looking at Levi, nobody moved. That made Wen’s rapid approach as he shouldered through the crowd all the more conspicuous.

“Get him out of here now,” Wen hissed at Martine.

“How?” Her face was tense, her mouth set in a thin line, but she spoke calmly. “All of the roads out of the city are backed up for miles.”

“Helicopter,” said Dominic.

Wen startled and met his eyes, then nodded. “I think the closest helipad is at Desert Springs Medical Center; it’s about two miles from here. Go now and I’ll have a chopper meet you there.” He stepped away, pulling out his cell phone.

Dominic and Martine turned to Levi, who hadn’t reacted to any part of the conversation; he was just gazing blankly at the monitor.

All around them, Dominic sensed the atmosphere taking a dangerous turn. People had withdrawn from them, clustering into small groups, muttering amongst themselves and shooting furtive glances Levi’s way. Every second Levi remained here, he was at greater risk.

The promise of ten million dollars cash could make a lot of people willing to do very bad things.

Pressing her keys into Dominic’s hand, Martine said, “Put him in my car. I’m going to round up some uniforms to escort us.”

“Got it.” Dominic grabbed Levi’s elbow and tugged, leading him out of the substation. Though Dominic was ready to knock out anyone who stood in their way, nobody tried to stop them.

Levi followed along obediently until they reached the parking lot, at which point he seemed to realize what was happening. He dug in his heels and wrenched his arm out of Dominic’s grip. “Wait! This is crazy; I can’t just leave.”

“You have to.”

“In the middle of a terrorist crisis? When we’ve just identified the probable Seven of Spades? No way.”

Dominic was all too familiar with the mulish frown on Levi’s face. Levi would never privilege his own safety above the greater good, so using the threat to his life as the basis for an argument would be pointless.

“People are going to come for you,” Dominic said. “Think about the ways that could go down. People fighting each other to be the one who gets to you first. Cops forced to fire on civilians to protect you. Rioting mobs. If you stay in the city, you’ll create a huge public safety problem, and the fact that Vegas is dealing with an ongoing terrorist threat only makes it more important for you to avoid making things worse.”

Levi cursed under his breath. “Fine. Let’s go.”

They hustled to Martine’s car, where Levi ducked into the backseat with his head lowered. Dominic, who was over a foot taller than Martine, had to slide the driver’s seat all the way back before he could get in as well. He locked the doors and started the ignition; they’d wait for Martine, but if any hostiles preempted her, they needed to be able to move at a moment’s notice.

“Where am I supposed to go?” Levi asked.

“I think we should leave the state altogether. Go to California, maybe, to the limits of the chopper’s range. Then we can hunker down in a motel somewhere without anyone knowing where we are.”

“What do you mean, ‘we?’ You’re not coming with me.”

Dominic twisted around in his seat. “Like hell I’m not.”

“Dominic.” Levi’s voice was low and intense. “You can’t just walk away from your hometown while it’s in crisis. And what about everyone you’d be leaving behind? Rebel needs you. Your family needs you.”

“You’re my goddamn family!”

Levi blinked; his eyes warmed, and he reached out to brush his fingers against Dominic’s hand.

“You’re not going anywhere alone,” Dominic said more evenly. “The rest of my family is safe where they are, and me being physically present won’t make that any more true. Rebel is with Carlos and Jasmine. They’ll take good care of her until this is resolved.”