The Big Bad Wolf - James Patterson [86]
Chapter 101
SHE WASN’T DEAD! How good was that? How amazing?
Elizabeth Connolly was lost in her own world again, and it was the best place. She was walking a perfect beach on Oahu’s north shore. She was picking up the most amazing seashells, one after the other, comparing the textures.
Then she heard shouts—“FBI!” She couldn’t believe it.
The FBI was here? At the house? Her heart pounded, then nearly stopped, then pounded again even harder.
Had they finally come to rescue her? Why else would they be here? OhmygoodGod!
Lizzie began to shake all over. Tears spilled down her cheeks. They had to find her and let her out now. The Wolf’s arrogance was about to burn him down!
I’m in here. I’m here! I’m right here!
The party got terribly quiet suddenly. Everyone was whispering, and it was hard to hear. But she definitely heard “FBI,” and theories as to why they were here. “Drugs.” Everyone seemed to think so.
Lizzie prayed this wasn’t about drugs. What if they took the Wolf to jail? She would be left here. She couldn’t stop shaking.
She had to let the FBI know she was here. But how? She was always bound and gagged. They were so close. . . . I’m in the closet! Please look in the closet!
She had imagined dozens of escape plans, but only after the Wolf opened the door and leashed her to go to the bathroom or walk in the main part of the house. Lizzie knew there was no way to get out of the locked closet. Not tied up the way she was. She didn’t know how to signal the FBI.
Then she heard someone making a loud announcement. A male. Deep voice. Calm and in control.
“I’m Agent Mahoney with the FBI. Everyone leave the main house immediately. Please assemble on the back lawns. Everyone is to leave the house now! No one leaves the grounds.”
Lizzie heard shoes scraping the hardwood floors—rapid footsteps. People were leaving. Then what? She’d be all alone. If they took the Wolf away . . . what would happen to her? There had to be something she could do to let the FBI know she was in here. What?
Someone named Atticus Stonestrom was talking loudly.
Then she heard the Wolf speak, and it chilled her. He was still in the house. Arguing with someone. She couldn’t tell who, or exactly what they were saying.
What can I do? Something! Anything!
What, what?
What haven’t I thought of before?
And then Lizzie had an idea. Actually, she’d had it before but always dismissed it.
Because it scared the hell out of her.
Chapter 102
“I’M GLAD YOU’RE HERE to see this for yourself, Atticus,” the Wolf said to his lawyer. “This is such bullshit harassment. My businesses are beyond reproach. You know that better than anyone. This is highly insulting.” He looked at me. “Do you know how many business associates you’ve insulted at this party?”
I was still restraining myself from responding to his threat to my family, to Little Alex. I didn’t want to take him down; I wanted to take him out.
“Trust me, this isn’t harassment,” I told the lawyer. “We’re here to arrest your client for kidnapping.”
Sorokin rolled his eyes. “Are you people mad? Do you know who I am?” he asked. Jesus, I’d heard almost the same speech in Dallas.
“As a matter of fact, I do,” I said. “Your real name is Pasha Sorokin, not Ari Manning. Some people say you’re the Russian godfather. You’re the Wolf.”
Sorokin heard me out, then he laughed a crazy laugh. “You are such fools. You, especially.” He pointed at me. “You just don’t get it.”
Suddenly there were shouts coming from one of the other rooms on the first floor. “Fire!” someone was yelling.
“C’mon, Alex!” Mahoney said. He and I left Sorokin with three other agents and ran to see what the hell was going on. How could there be a fire? Now?
There was a fire. It seemed to have started in the large study off the main living room, in a closet. Swirls of smoke came from under the door. A lot of smoke.
I grabbed the doorknob, which was hot. The closet was locked. I lowered my shoulder and hit the door hard. I slammed into it again.