Chapter 6: One Hour
The annual Riverside Summer Festival drew more than twenty thousand people.
Families crowded the streets. Children filled the carnival rides. Music played from a stage near the river.
John stood inside a mobile command center as bomb technicians searched the festival grounds.
Victor had sent him a photograph of six devices hidden throughout the area.
The message beneath it read:
ONE HOUR.
Then another message appeared.
It showed Emily and Lily entering a secure federal building.
A red circle had been drawn around them.
Victor called.
“You have two choices, Detective.”
John said nothing.
“Save the festival, and your family pays the price.”
“Go after my family, and thousands of people remain in danger.”
John looked at the countdown clock.
Fifty-seven minutes.
“You don’t want justice,” John said.
“No.”
Victor’s voice became cold.
“I want you to choose who matters more.”
John turned to Captain Miller.
“Evacuate the festival without causing panic.”
“That could take hours.”
“Then make it look like a weather emergency.”
He pointed toward another team.
“Lock down the federal building and move Emily and Lily through the underground garage.”
Miller looked at him.
“What are you going to do?”
May you like
John checked his weapon.
“I’m going after Victor.”
