Read Online Sky Zone: A Novel (The Crittendon Files) by Creston Mapes - Free Book Online Page A

walked to the corner opposite Shakespeare. “Base, this is Clarissa. What about Charlie? Any word? Has he turned up? Over.”
    “Negative. Over.”
    Sterling continued his speech, but Shakespeare was listening to Tab in his earpiece, pleading for Steve Basheer to answer his radio but getting nothing.
    Clarissa checked her watch and weaved her way to the front of the room next to Jenkins. She whispered in his ear, and he looked down at her, his face darkening.
    He spoke up. “Excuse me, Senator. We have a development.”
    All heads turned to the CEO of the arena.
    “One of our security people is … he’s not been heard from in a few minutes.”
    The room fell even more quiet.
    “We sent a man up to find him at the top of the arena, what’s known as the Sky Zone.” Jenkins turned to Clarissa, then back to those in the room. “The man we sent up made it to the Sky Zone, but we’ve lost contact with him.”
    If this had been a normal group of spectators, gasps would have rung out. But these were professionals, security guards, SWAT. People stared straight ahead, jaws clenched.
    Just then Karen entered the room with a sheepish look, followed by Cole. They made their way to Everett and stood next to him.
    “Sir, doors are scheduled to open in exactly three minutes,” said Clarissa. “As the senator said, we have a huge crowd outside. Many, many more than expected. We could have ten or twelve thousand here tonight—many women and children, many elderly. We need to make a decision. I’m 95 percent sure that I can speak for my boss, Keefer O’Dell, who’s en route from Cleveland, when I say we should not let one guest inside this building when there are one, possibly two EventPros missing.”
    Jenkins pursed his lips and nodded respectfully.
    Sterling rolled his eyes as Jenny King whispered in his ear. The senator ripped his coat off and stuffed it in Jenny’s arms.
    “From what I’m told, the man missing is elderly, with a history of heart issues,” Sterling said. “Let’s not jump to conclusions and go into panic mode without concrete reason to think something is amiss.”
    “Sir, with all due respect, if I may …” Shakespeare couldn’t keep quiet a second longer.
    Sterling scowled. “And you are?”
    Clarissa spoke up. “This is Brian Shakespeare, former US marine, sharpshooter, and Desert Storm veteran.”
    Shakespeare was pleasantly surprised by Clarissa’s accolades.
    Sterling raised his eyebrows.
    “Go ahead, Brian,” Everett said. “Give us your take.”
    “Why risk it?” Shakespeare’s hands remained behind his back. “I mean, I’m with you, Senator. No one’s more against terror on our soil than I am—”
    “If that’s true, you would agree this event must go on!” Sterling said.
    “Sir, in my eyes, the only real defense we have in this building right now is Lieutenant Wolfski’s SWAT team. It’s just not enough—”
    “More are on the way,” Sterling argued. “Plus, we have your team.”
    Shakespeare chuckled. “Sir, again with respect, the EventPros staff is unarmed and untrained in the type of event we’re talking about. Why not at least wait until Columbus PD arrives before opening the doors? And also, find our two people. I’m not saying cancel the event, but get more armed people in place and make sure our people are okay.”
    “I agree,” Everett said. Karen looped her arms around him and nodded.
    Clarissa’s shoulders slumped in relief.
    Jenkins nodded, looked at Clarissa, and tapped his watch.
    The SWAT leader looked at Sterling as if awaiting the final verdict.
    Sterling rubbed his forehead and leaned backward as if in pain. “You people forget we are the ones footing the bill for this venue.”
    Jenny whispered something to Sterling.
    “Oh, all right, all right,” he conceded. “Delay it fifteen minutes. But we’re opening at six forty-five. Not a minute later.”
    “Thank you, Senator.” Clarissa hustled for the door.
    Jenkins called to her. “Let