As he was about to ask another question, his eyes fell on something about thirty feet away. The light had been so bright he hadn’t seen it before. On the left side of the tunnel, a wire ran along the ceiling in their direction. About halfway down, it turned toward the center and disappeared into a mass of irregular rocks that bulged downward.
He immediately recognized the plan. Lawson was going to blow up the tunnel and seal them in.
Zane needed time to warn the others. “Be a man, and let the women out, Roger.”
“If you were a man, you wouldn’t have brought them down here. Their blood is going to be on your hands.”
“Do you really think you’ll get away with this? Our people are searching the area as we speak.”
Roger laughed. “I doubt that.”
The Australian said something to one of his men. Seconds later, the light went out, plunging the tunnel into darkness.
“Good bye.”
There was a clicking noise on the far end, and Zane knew what came next. “Get back, everybody! Get back!”
He turned and ran, as did the others. But it was too late. A flash of light filled the space, followed by a massive explosion. The blast wave hit them like a runaway car, launching Zane into the air.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
By the time the charge detonated, Roger was already squatting on the tunnel floor, hands pressed against either side of his head. He and the three gunmen had backed around a bend to protect themselves from the effects of the blast, but they still felt the shock waves rolling through the rock beneath their feet.
In the wake of the explosion, Roger heard boulders, rocks, and other material filling the space. A satisfied grin spread over his face at the thought about how things would now play out. The dwindling oxygen on the other side would bring about the slow death of those who’d caused him so much embarrassment. Not only would they die, they would have plenty of time to think about it.
He spoke into the darkness. “Turn on the light.”
One of his men flicked on a pistol-grip spotlight, illuminating the tunnel. A cloud of dust, dirt, and debris snaked around the corner. After giving it a couple of minutes to settle, Lawson led the men around the bend to the blast site. The explosives had worked to perfection. The tunnel was completely blocked. Nothing would pass through. Not even air.
“Check it,” Roger said. “Make sure it’s completely sealed off.”
The guards stepped forward and used spotlights to examine every nook and cranny. Five minutes later, one of the men answered. “It’s plugged completely, sir.”
“Check it again.”
“It’s sealed as tight as—”
“I said, check it again!”
The man was about to protest then thought better of it.
After they turned around, Roger slid a hand into his pocket and closed his fingers around the grip of a suppressed Glock 17. He slid it out slowly, careful not to make any noise. He stepped behind two guards and shot them in the head, dropping both in succession. Realizing what was happening, the third man swung around, fumbling for his gun. The pistol coughed again, knocking the man backward. He was dead before he hit the ground.
Roger moved the bodies up against the tunnel wall. He’d dispose of them later. Even he found it a bit distasteful to kill his own men, but that was the problem. There were too many people involved. At some point, someone would talk, and that was unacceptable. As the old saying went, dead men don’t talk.
He turned back toward the surface. The others were expecting him. It was time to take care of one last problem. Unfortunately, it would be the most difficult task yet.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Camilla leaned back against the hood of a Humvee, shivering in the cold. The snow no longer fell, but the temperatures continued to drop. She guessed it was at least mid-twenties now.
She looked toward the cave mouth about fifty yards away. Roger should be coming out soon. He and the others had stayed behind to ambush the Americans and the Swiss Guard. This time, he’d promised not to play games. This time, he’d kill them then cast them all into a chasm one of the men had located. According to the guard, it was at least a mile deep.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Camilla turned and saw Kimberly coming toward her. She’d been helping the guards put a few things in one of the vans. As she drew near, Camilla noted the redhead’s toned legs. The guards had been staring at them all night. Camilla felt a pinch of jealousy as she thought about the woman’s attractiveness. A part of her didn’t like having such a beautiful woman around Roger, but at the same time, she realized Kimberly was invaluable to the business. She was smart, strong, and ferociously loyal.
Besides, Camilla had no reason to worry about her marriage. A man as handsome and wealthy as Roger Lawson could have anyone he wanted, and he had chosen her. In fact, she found it deeply touching that he was so strongly attracted to her unique appearance.
“Is that everything?” Camilla asked Kimberly.
“Just about. I need to gather a few more things inside.”
Camilla’s eyes narrowed. She’d picked up something odd in Kimberly’s expression, a brief flash of nervousness. Camilla had never seen that in her before. Fear and nerves were foreign to Kimberly’s constitution. Then again, they had been through a lot tonight. A lot of people had died, including a number of innocents. That was enough to rattle even the strongest person.
Still, Camilla couldn’t help suspecting there was something else. She pushed off the hood. “Let’s go see if Roger has come up yet.”
The two moved off in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. After they skirted the line of trees, Camilla saw a figure emerge from the cave mouth. Roger. As they drew near, she looked into his eyes, trying to read his expression. Strangely, he too seemed nervous.
“Is it done?” Camilla asked.
Roger glanced briefly at Kimberly before facing his wife. “Yes, it’s done.”
“I need to grab a few things.” Kimberly continued toward the cave.
Roger watched her walk away. After she disappeared into the tunnel, he looked down at Camilla. “A few more hours and this will all be over.”
“Your plan was masterful, darling.” Camilla looked into his eyes.
Roger bent and lifted her in the air. She loved it when he did that. Warmed by his embrace, he pressed her lips against his. Roger kissed her for a moment then pulled back. The kiss was too short. Camilla opened her eyes to find Roger staring at her. She frowned. She’d expected a look of longing. Instead, she saw an empty gaze, devoid of emotion.
Camilla felt one of his arms fall away while the other held her aloft. “Roger, what’s the matter?”
His expression darkened.
Camilla pulled back. “Roger? Did something happen inside? What’s—”
A muffled gunshot cut her off.
“Easy.” Roger kissed her forehead. “Just let go.”
Camilla felt as if a hot poker had been thrust into her abdomen.
“Why…” she struggled to speak.
Roger held her gaze, waiting patiently for her to die. For the first time ever, Camilla realized just how dark the man’s soul was. She also realized something else.
Roger and Kimberly were lovers.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
The coal-black Maserati GranTurismo roared up the mountain, its headlights gleaming in the darkness like the eyes of a dragon. The car moved gracefully back and forth through the turns, comfortable on the winding roads of Sicily. Roger Lawson glanced down the slope. The lights of Palermo twinkled like jewels along the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The view never got old.