“Did you tell him you had changed your mind?” Detective Ellis’ tone was urgent.

“No. I haven’t had any contact with him.” And did not want to ever again.

“Mr. Owen, we need you to go meet him. We’ll provide back up. We need to know what his plan is.”

The detective opened a door that Harry had believed was forever bolted: an opportunity to get out of this mess. Harry leapt to his feet. “All right. I’m in.”

Randall Barrett put a hand on his arm. “Harry, you don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do.” He brushed his lips over his father’s cheek. It was flaccid. But warm. He was still alive. “Good-bye, Dad.”

Harry would do everything in his power to make sure that he came back to spend the rest of his father’s days with him.

But if he didn’t, he would die the way that he wanted.

As his mother’s son.

Chapter 56

Chapter 56

4:29 a.m.

Something vibrated against Kate’s leg.

It was her phone. She fumbled with her back pocket, grabbing the laptop before it slipped off her lap.

“Hello.” The inside of her mouth felt as if it had been wiped dry with a towel. She swallowed. She needed to get a bottle of water from somewhere in the hospital.

“It’s Matt.” His voice was low, tense.

“Is everything okay?”

“I’m in Tr0lz’s bathroom.”

“What?”

“I only have a minute.” She heard a toilet flush. “Have you heard of the Halifax Explosion?”

“Yes.”

“Tell the police that Tr0lz is planning version 2.0.”

“What—”

The phone clicked in her ear.

She dialed Detective Ellis’ number.

“Ellis.” His voice was brusque.

“It’s Kate Lange.”

“Yes?”

“Matt Leon just called me. He says that Aiden Boyne’s partner Tr0lz is planning Halifax Explosion version 2.0.”

“What?” The police radio was noisy in the background. Ellis must be driving somewhere.

“He says the attack is a new Halifax Explosion.” She enunciated her words so that the detective would not misunderstand. “The terrorist attack must have something to do with a ship.”

“Ms. Lange, we have Mr. Owen with us. He admitted he was the victim of blackmail by Aiden Boyne. The rendezvous is at the airport.”

“Maybe Aiden’s trying to stay away from an explosion in the harbor.”

“Damn it.” Ellis paused. “Do you think Matt Leon is working in partnership with Tr0lz? This could be a diversionary tactic to get us all down to the waterfront while the airport is the true target.” It was a genius tactic to send the police downtown while the attack took place miles away.

“Or vice versa.”

“How reliable is Matt Leon?” Ellis’ tone was urgent.