Lou pulled his gun and tensed. If Kazimi and Humphrey were not alone, this could be it. A moment later, they heard a slight scraping sound. Before they could pinpoint the source, the wall began to move, pivoting precisely at its midpoint to reveal an opening several feet wide. They watched, guns raised, as the figure of a man emerged. Focused on Vaill’s repeated warning not to hesitate, Lou trained his weapon on the shadowy target, and tightened his finger on the trigger.

Chapter 52

CHAPTER 52

If only allowed to flex its muscle, the bond of family would prove stronger than allegiance to any government.

—LANCASTER R. HILL, Climb the Mountain, SAWYER RIVER BOOKS, 1941, P. 33

“Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!”

Committed to avoiding hesitation at all costs, Lou’s finger was tightening on the trigger when Vaill reached over and grabbed his wrist.

“Jesus, you almost killed him, Lou. Next time you decide you’re not going to hesitate, stop and check with me. Dr. Lou Welcome, Dr. Ahmed Kazimi.”

The men, would-be killer and would-be victim, shook hands.

“Please speak softly,” Kazimi said. “There is a surveillance camera in the room behind us. We will meet you by the elevator shaft where we cannot be heard or seen by them.”

The scientist vanished back into the castle, while Lou risked a quick peek into the space beyond the wall. Instead of the storage area he had expected, the room was a microbiology laboratory, with a stainless-steel autopsy table, a sink, and several large refrigeration units, along with a rack of hazmat suits and a portable chemical shower. Craning his neck sideways, Lou could see clear plastic cages lining the pivoting wall. White mice scurried about, disturbed by the sudden movement of their habitats.

Lou stepped back to make room for Kazimi in the space overlooking the elevator shaft. Humphrey, whose motorized wheelchair barely fit through the opening, followed. Kazimi applied pressure to a spot, and the wall glided shut, enclosing them. A nearly concealed switch turned on a trio of corroded sconces.

“You were the last person I expected to be knocking on the wall, Agent Vaill,” Kazimi said as the two men shook hands. “I saw what happened that night to Agent Rodriguez. I am terribly, terribly sorry.”

“I’m here to rescue you and to avenge her,” Vaill said without emotion.

“Well, I am glad you are alive to do so,” Kazimi replied. “Dr. Welcome, Mr. Miller has had many fine things to say about you.”

“I’m glad we’ve found you both. Humphrey, I confess I feared the worse for you. It’s very good to see you again.”

“Good to be found,” Humphrey said.

“I’m saddened about your aide. These are very bad people we are dealing with.”

“Especially that Burke.”

“No time for happy reunions,” Vaill said. “How long do we have before whoever is monitoring those cameras notices you’re gone?”