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CHAPTER 29
“IT’S OVER,” SAID Chase.
He held out his hand for the wounded CEO.
“I’ll decide when it’s over,” said Gillen.
“Don’t you understand?” asked Chase. “You think you’re in control, but you’re not. Despite all your towers, all your devices, all your money, it didn’t even come close.”
Chase grabbed Gillen by the forearm and hauled him onto his good foot, then pivoted, and seized the man around his wrist and the meat of his upper arm. He would help the CEO move, but it wouldn’t be painless.
“Time to go,” said Chase. “I wonder if they have free Wi-Fi in prison…”
“I’m not going to prison, you ape,” said the CEO. “I’m Miles Gil—”
Chase heard the tinkling of glass. Gillen pitched forward.
Chase let go of the falling CEO and spun. His brain registered what was happening without conscious thought. He knew the sound of a sniper’s work. He dove for Gillen’s desk and pulled all of his limbs under its massive slab. His eyes found the CEO on the floor.
Miles Gillen was right. He wasn’t going to prison after all.
Half of his head was missing.
“Change of plans,” said the disembodied voice.
The Voice wasn’t with the assault team on his family. He was somewhere near here, staying close to Gillen. Judging by the bullet’s trajectory, Chase placed the shooter on the roof of the adjacent high rise. In a sniper’s nest.
Chase’s thoughts fell into place. The Voice could’ve killed him easily but chose Gillen instead. The plan changed because the math changed. Which meant…
“My family just kicked your ass,” said Chase.
“Myass?” That grinding laugh, like copper wire dragged across a chalkboard. “My ass is fifty million dollars richer. There’s no one left to split it with. My ass is sitting pretty.”
“Not for long,” said Chase. “You came for my family. You don’t get to walk away. I will hunt you down.”
“Don’t make this personal, Weldon. Unlike Gillen over there, I learn from my mistakes. My plan is to vanish into a life of island luxury. But if I feel you over my shoulder, I’ll have to get back in the game. Besides, I’ll always have an eye on you.”
“How so?” Chase said, stalling. The electronic voice was coming in little, rhythmic punches.He was running, probably down stairs.Chase darted for the door to the office suite, keeping low just in case. With one hand, he grabbed his bag and with the other, snatched the Avalon ID badge from the dead CEO’s body.
“Because you and every other idiot on the planet allow it. Phones in your pocket. Tablets in your bedrooms. Laptops with cameras and facial recognition. All linked to your identity. To say nothing of our dear little Ava…”
“How may I assist you?”chimed Ava.
The mercenary laughed. “Nothing, darling. Go back to sleep. The grown-ups are talking. See, Mr. Weldon? An all-knowing, ever-growing artificial intelligence that you tell your preferences and cede responsibility to. And you lemmings pay for the privilege.”
As he exited the suite, Chase heard the Voice say, “I just did the world a favor. Take the win, Weldon. Or I’ll see you around.”
Chase plowed through the doors, past Ashley’s empty desk to the elevator bank. Gillen’s private elevator opened immediately and he rode it to the ground floor. He sprinted for the street, startling the after-hours security guard in the lobby.
“Call the police!” ordered Chase as he ran past. “Miles Gillen’s been murdered!”
Chase wasn’t about to shed a tear over the CEO’s death, but he knew it would get the police on scene quickly.
He burst onto the street with his Glock pushed in front of him, sweeping three hundred and sixty degrees.
But the street was empty. No pedestrians, no cars.
“Shit,” muttered Chase.
