TOM OWENS WENT back to work at his table as Ellis Warrenton stomped away from the door. Owens could hear
him shouting and cursing in other parts of the house, but it wasn’t even that distracting.
Owens had a job to do—which he’d decided now included figuring how to get away from this megalomaniac. Ellis
talked a good game, but Owens now realized he wasn’t interested in any real change.
Owens wasn’t sure any of them were. He hoped Kimmy had some actual ideals. But he couldn’t be sure.
After five minutes, Ellis came back to the doorway. He stood there as if he was trying to think of some great speech
that would get Owens to agree with him. He sighed r epeatedly but didn’t say anything.
Owens didn’t bother to acknowledge him. They’d already had their discussion. He k ept focused on his project.
Finally, Ellis said, “Ke ep trying to pull this sort of bullshit. See what happens. You need to listen to me at least until
we hit the bank. Then maybe we go our s eparate ways. But I make the decisions. Is that understood?”
Owens still didn’t say anything.
He looked up and noticed Ellis eyeing the satchel device he’d shown Ellis earlier, which now sat on the dresser,
with the remote on top of it.
Ellis had a hard edge to his voice when he said, “You’re not quite as indispensable as you think. I can make bombs
too, you know. I made the one that worked on the cop’s car last summer. I could just use that same design on this
Detective Bennett.”
Kimmy st epped into view and stood in the doorway next to Ellis.
Ellis said, “We’ll plant this bomb tomorrow morning. The three of us will do some surveillance today. We’ll figure
exactly the best time and place
to do it. How long will it take you to set the device?”
Owens said, “Maybe twenty seconds.” He worked to hide his satisfaction at the impressed look on Ellis’s face. Most
people would never understand basic engineering, let alone the sort of things that Owens did.
Kimmy spoke up for the first time. “I don’t want to be part of this.”
Ellis turned to her. “What about the cause? What about tyranny?”
Kimmy’s voice was unsteady, but it was clear she was firm in her belief.
She said, “One guy doing his job doesn’t sound like tyranny to me. I didn’t like what you did to the other cop. She
had kids. They saw her die.” Kimmy was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t finish what she was going to say.
She turned and hurried down the hallway.
Owens and Ellis stared at each other. Neither wanted to show any sign of weakness.