“Go ahead. Spoil it.”
“What are you going to do, kill me and prop me up next to poor Bremmer? You’ll have to come back with another tacky hat and pair of sunglasses for me to wear. Wouldn’t it be smarter to just let me go so that I can share my ill-gotten millions with you? The New World Alliance might even cut you in on the next job they’re bargaining with me about down the road. These fascists aren’t at all fond of democracies, and the robot makes me the man to do business with.”
“You seem to be fascinated by the thought of money. You can’t seem to stop talking about it,” Lynch said. “Doesn’t anything else appeal to you?”
“Why should it?” Korkil smiled. “Money is everything. And it controls everything. Cambry understood that. That’s why I put him in charge of my men when I decided that I needed to be more hands-on with our customers like the alliance. But I do enjoy the things that money buys.” He nodded toward the largemonitor. “This is about to give us a wonderful picture from Archie’s point of view. I was going to film it for New World Alliance, but we can enjoy it together.”
“No, thanks.” Lynch had seen enough. If he couldn’t force the issue with Korkil, he needed to not waste any more time. He reached into his jacket pocket. “When I was in here before, I noticed a little hypodermic kit well stocked with propofol on the shelf below that rack. Nasty stuff in the wrong hands . . .”
Korkil’s eyes widened as he looked at Lynch’s face. For once he seemed to be aware of just how deadly his situation had become. He licked his lips. “Let’s not be hasty. I could get you the cash immediately. Be reasonable. Think of how your life would change.”
“But I like my life pretty well as it is,” Lynch said. “For instance, when I saw that propofol, the only thing I felt was gratitude.”
“Gratitude?” Korkil repeated warily. “Why?”
Lynch smiled. “Because I’m one of the lucky guys who know exactly what they’re doing handling that nasty stuff.”
Korkil stiffened and looked at the now empty shelf below the equipment rack. “No!” He made a gurgling, protesting noise. But before he could lift his head and turn back, Lynch jabbed him in the neck with the needle. Korkil gasped, then moaned. But he was dead in seconds.
Kendra’s phone rang as she and Stevie ran down the stadium concourse. She tapped her earpiece to answer it. “Lynch! We needed to—”
“Archie’s on the move,” he interrupted. “He’s near Section One Forty.”
“We know. Stevie’s goggles are giving us a three-D view. We’re trying to intercept him. Did you find Korkil?”
“Yes. He and Bremmer are dead.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain later. No more talk. Right now, you and Stevie should get the hell out of there. Whatever those bastards planned is happening in six minutes and fourteen seconds.”
“I’ll keep you posted.” Kendra tapped her earpiece to cut the connection. She turned to Stevie, to whom she’d given her other telephone earpiece. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes,” Stevie said. “Get going, Kendra. I’ll take care of things here.”
“Like hell. What’s your plan?”
“Okay, then have it your way,” Stevie said. “When we get close enough, I’m hoping to upload a patch I’ve written that will allow me to take control back. No guarantees, so if you want to get the hell out of here . . .”
“Stop it. That’s not going to happen.”
They rounded a corner . . .
And suddenly found themselves faced with half a dozen elaborately costumed characters, similar to ones that might be found at a theme park!
As the characters walked past Stevie, she raised her tablet computer, frantically checking for info.
She found it. “He’s here! In one of these costumes!”
She pushed the button on her tablet computer that would initiate the software patch.
One of the characters froze in place while the others continued their march toward the stage.
“This one!” Stevie pulled off the headpiece of the huge costumed character that was supposed to represent Superman and unzipped the costume’s back to reveal that Archie was indeed inside.
Stevie stepped close. “Archie, can you hear me?”
Archie responded in his customary mellow tone. “Loud and clear, Stevie. How are you today?”
