“I have one,” said Salzman. “What’s to stop all of us from shooting you when this is over?”

Coop smiled. “I guess I can’t count on your goodwill?” he said.

“Probably not,” said Salzman.

“The bomb stays put until we’re gone and clear. When we are, I’ll text the winner the code to remove it from the box.”

“There’s a special kind of Hell Caleximus has for assholes like you,” yelled Steve. He put his gun away. So did Mr. Lemmy.

“Put them down for now,” Salzman told Zavulon.

“I agree.” He signaled for his men to lower their weapons.

Coop’s heart slowed down a little. A whole two minutes into the plan and no one was dead yet. “Now, is everyone ready to get started?”

“Where’s the broad?” said Mr. Lemmy, craning his head around.

Coop nodded to Bayliss. “She’s right here.”

“Not her. The other broad.”

“Oh, her. I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Morty?”

Mr. Lemmy looked to his side. Stepped back, turning his head this way and that. “What the fuck? Where is he?” It took Mr. Lemmy’s men a few seconds to understand what he was talking about.

Morty was gone.

“Where is he?” Mr. Lemmy howled, pulling his gun again.

Coop held up the silver box. “Away is where he is,” said Coop. “But he’s not your problem right now. The box is.” Mr. Lemmy put his gun away.

From the side of the store, Sally walked back over to Coop and Bayliss.

“How did you do that?” Mr. Lemmy yelled to her.

“What?” said Sally. “I was just freshening my makeup.”

Mr. Lemmy jabbed a finger at the circle. “You’re all dead. Every one of you is dead,” he said.

“Big talker,” said Steve.

Mr. Lemmy threw him a look. “You’re right after him, Porky.”

Steve let the boar out a few links and Mr. Lemmy backed off.

“If everyone is ready, the three of us are going to text each group one clue to where the box is hidden,” said Coop. “After that, it’s up to you. Look. Don’t look. Just don’t forget the magic word.”

“Boom,” said Sally.

“Boom,” said Bayliss.

Coop and the others got out their phones. “On three we send the texts. You might want to get your phones out, boys.”

Salzman, Steve, and Mr. Lemmy all took out their phones.

“One. Two. Three.” Coop and the others hit send. The three group leaders stared at their phones. Then at each other.

“Remember. It’s a race,” said Coop. “You might consider running.”

“Come on, boys!” yelled Mr. Lemmy. He and his men took off running to the fountain in the distance.

Salzman glanced at Coop, with enough venom in his gaze to bring down a rhino. “This way,” he said, and the Russians followed him.

The Caleximus congregation looked around, trying to get oriented.