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However, he couldn’t tell

    in which direction. If south, they would be near Seattle or Tacoma. If north, they could be in Canada.
    He told this to the others.
    “Or east and west,” Ian pointed out.
    “No,” said Evan. “Two hours west and we’re in the ocean. And why go east? The subduction zone is along the coast.”
    Jonah perked up and asked the others if they wanted him to sing to keep their spirits up. “Be glad to do it, bros,” he added with a dazzling smile.
    The immediate consensus was that
    none of their spirits had reached such a level of depression that warranted Jonah’s musical intervention.
    “Well, just let me know when it does,” Jonah said, attempting to sound cheerful.

    “How   about   never?”   Hamilton
    mumbled under his breath.
    Phoenix said, “I wonder if they’regoing to take us to the other hostages.”
    Ian piped in, “Let’s hope no more ofthem are dead.” He closed his eyes and asmall tear appeared at the edge of his righteyelid.
    A noise made them all fall silent.
    A door opened and a light appearedthrough the opening. It was just a narrowshaft of illumination. They heard footstepsgrowing closer. It was still too dark forthem to see who it was.
    Ian stiffened and opened his eyeswhen he felt something press against theback of his head.
    It was the muzzle of a Glock pistolwith a suppressor can attached.

    Casper Wyoming’s voice came out ofthe darkness. “Get up, Kabra. Someonevery special wants to see you.”
    “Who?” exclaimed Ian. “My sister?”
    “I said special, not stupid. Like   you   .”
    Casper jerked Ian up, lifting himcompletely off the ground. But when Iancame down he made certain that he landedon top of Casper’s foot. Hard.
    “Oww!” yelped Casper.
    “So sorry,” said Ian, trying to hidehis grin. “But after all, as you so helpfullypointed out, I am quite stupid.”
    “Maybe I’ll shoot you right here,”growled Casper, putting the gun muzzleagainst Ian’s head again.
    “I don’t believe you can,” said Ian.
    “Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”
    “As you said, someone very special

    wants to see me. I’m sure you don’t want to disappoint the person.”
    Hamilton added, “Yeah, you might get in trouble, doofus.”
    Casper eyed him grimly. “Just give me a reason, Holt. Just one reason.”
    “If you untie me, I’ll give you ten of them wrapped around my fists. They’ll be the last things you ever see.”
    “You don’t scare me, muscle man.”
    “Sure I do. And my time will come.”
    Ian snapped, “Let’s get a move on. You don’t want to keep your fearless leader waiting.”
    “Hey, I’m giving the orders around here, not you,” barked Casper.
    “All right. So what action do you propose we take?” Ian stared up at him expectantly.

Casper hesitated, his mind evidentlytrying to think of something pithy to comeback with. But failing that, he simply said, “Let’s get a move on.”
    “Right,”   said   Ian,   smilingtriumphantly.   “Bloody  well  wish   I’d thought of that.”
    “Doofus,” muttered Hamilton, staringat Casper.
    Casper   pushed   Ian   forward,slamming the door and locking it behindhim.
    Casper led Ian into another room. Heturned on a light and Ian blinked to adjustto the brightness. He saw that there was alarge TV screen on one wall. Casper hit abutton on a console and the screencrackled to life.
    At first the screen remained black,

    but then someone appeared there. Ian took an involuntary step back, and shuddered.
    His mother, Isabel Kabra, was staring at him.
    Could she see him? Ian wondered.
    Then he noticed the TV camera bolted tothe wall. It was pointing at him.
    As if in answer to his unspokenquestion, his mother snapped, “Of course Ican see you.”
    “What do you want?” retorted Ian.
    “You have betrayed me. You haveturned against your own family.”
    “No, you’re the one that turnedagainst   us ,” Ian said hotly.
    She ignored this.