Randall reached for her hands, but she brushed him aside.
“It won’t take weeks, I promise.” Should he tell her? She would find out soon enough anyway. “I have a supplemental trigger in place. This meltdown won’t just be financial.”
Emma blanched. “What are you saying?”
“We’re going to knock out network hubs and tech companies. The lack of internet will add to the chaos and accelerate the meltdown.”
For a long moment, she was silent, and Randall watched her eyes run through a range of reactions. Finally, Emma said, “This is really happening, isn’t it?”
Her acquiescence made him want her. “Yes. It’s what we’ve prepared for. What we’ve dreamed of. A better life and a long-term future for humans.”
“You don’t have to keep me in here. I can stay in our home until the collapse takes effect.” She reached out and stroked his crotch, sending a shiver of lust through his body. “Don’t you miss sex with me?” she whispered.
Oh god, he wanted her. Right now. Right here in this secret underground place. Randall pulled her to him and kissed her mouth hard, his body pressing into her.
Emma jerked away. “Only if you let me out.”
It was so tempting to bring her back into his bed. But too risky. Could he get past her resistance right now? He knew how to get her turned on in a few seconds.
“Don’t even think about it.”
Randall suppressed his frustration and willed himself to relax. “Be patient, Emma. It’ll only be a few days. Everything will happen this weekend.” He wanted so much to make her smile at him. He reached for the backpack, dug out the books and chocolate, and tried to hand them to her.
Emma knocked them to the floor. “Don’t try to placate me. As long as I’m a prisoner, we are not a couple.”
“Don’t say prisoner. It’s only a little while more.”
Again, she was silent, her eyes calculating. “What exactly are you going to do?”
It occurred to him that if she knew about his plans, once he let her out, she would be complicit. Not that Emma would ever turn him into the authorities. She’d already proven that. “I have people in place who are prepared to set off explosives at tech companies in Silicon Valley and at internet hubs in New York, Seattle, London, and other major cities. All I have to do is send the email, and they go into action.”
“Oh shit! I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“That’s why we’re doing it over the weekend. The buildings will be empty.” Another lie, but she had to realize there could be collateral damage. Spencer had rejected the idea when Randall mentioned it long ago because of the possibility of harming someone. Such hypocrisy! The financial collapse would cause millions of people to starve.
“I’m sorry for keeping you here,” he finally said. “I’ll make it up to you in time.” He tried to pull her in for a squeeze, but Emma turned away.
Tate woke and started to cry. His wife rushed to the baby, calling over her shoulder, “Just go! And bring more Tylenol, antibiotics, and rubbing alcohol.”
Chapter 21
Friday, May 10, 10:45 a.m.
Spencer sat at his desk, opened his laptop, and logged into his blog. He’d been ignoring his online community for a few days, and he missed the social media support and stimulation. He also needed to recruit a new engineer to the community while he still could.
He responded to comments on his most recent blog and on his Google page, then started a new post. First he updated his followers about the progress on the generator and posted a picture of the lithium batteries, asking for suggestions on how to keep them from overheating. He was careful to post disclaimers about everything he shared publicly, knowing other futurists were thirsty for information and would try to replicate everything they did in Destiny.
Grace’s voice tried to haunt him, but he kept shutting it down. He would mourn—and honor her—later, when the Emma crisis and the collapse were behind them. In the second half of his blog, he called for people with engineering backgrounds to contact him directly about joining the community, offering free housing and a part-time salary to the right candidate. He uploaded the post, hoping he wouldn’t be inundated with opportunists.
His final task caused more unease. He crafted an email to Destiny members, explaining that Grace had been called away by a family emergency. He wrote that she’d taken the train late the night before and didn’t know when she’d return. Spencer’s mouse hovered over the send key. Would this cause anyone alarm, especially after Emma’s disappearance? Grace had been estranged from her ex-husband and son, and she’d never talked about her parents or siblings. It would be fine, he told himself. The members were loyal and had no reason to jump to worst-case scenarios. As long as the feds didn’t learn about Grace’s sudden departure. Another woman gone, with her car left behind. Damn. They should have hidden Grace’s car. No, they hadn’t had time, and cars tended to surface eventually. The meltdown would start within the next forty-eight hours. Some elements were already happening. They just had to keep it together for a few more days.
Moments after he sent the email, Lisa’s bell rang. Surprised, Spencer rushed to her room. She hadn’t summoned him much lately, because the morphine made her sleep. But she was wide-eyed and signaling for him to raise the bed.
“Are you in pain?” He kissed her cheek, her skin cooler than it should be.
“No, honey. I feel better today, and I’d like to meet our new member while I’m awake.”
Spencer swallowed the lump in his throat. This would be awkward, but he wanted Lisa’s blessing. “I’ll call Sonja and see if she’s available. She’d like to meet you as well.”
“You should have told me more about her.”
They had talked about Sonja, but he still felt guilty. “I know. But you’ve been asleep a lot, and I wanted to get Sonja settled in quickly.” Lisa knew he was working hard to recruit young people to Destiny.
“Call her now. My little revival won’t last long.”
Spencer reached for his phone, hoping Sonja wouldn’t answer.
She did. “Hello, Spencer. I’m glad you called.”
“Will you come to my house, please? My wife would like to meet you.”
Only the slightest pause. “Sure. I’ll be right over.”
He turned to Lisa. “Sonja was an ideal applicant.”
“Remember the last young woman who came out for an interview?” Lisa laughed, then started to cough. “When she mentioned hanging a crystal around my neck to heal my cancer, I thought you’d lost your mind.”
Spencer smiled sheepishly. “Sometimes the kooks seem okay on paper.”
“I hear Sonja is special… and very pretty.”
Lisa knew Sonja was her potential replacement. Spencer tried to make peace with the whole scenario, but guilt tore at him. He should have waited. He shouldn’t have let Randall pressure him into speeding up their plans.
“It’s all right. Just don’t forget me too quickly.”
“Never.” He pressed his face to hers, tears welling in his eyes.
The doorbell rang a moment later, and Spencer hurried to let Sonja in. He was tempted to coach her as they walked back, but he resisted. Sonja would handle this well. She was that kind of person, and he’d made a good choice.
After he introduced them, Lisa asked him to bring her some tea. Spencer obliged, curious about what Lisa would say to his would-be girlfriend.
* * *
Dallas smiled brightly and said charming things while part of her brain sent alarming messages. She felt like an exposed adulterer, even though she and Spencer had never kissed and her seduction of him was entirely staged. In addition, Lisa was challenging to focus on. The woman was so gaunt, she barely seemed human, as if the billowy pink nightgown was hiding a skeleton. Dallas had witnessed some horrible things, but this scenario had her nerves jangling.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Lisa’s voice was a whisper. “Spencer will need a new wife soon.”
“But you and Spencer have a connection. I feel it.”
What the hell was she supposed to say? “I feel it too. I think fate brought me here.”
Lisa’s tone changed, but it was subtle, because her voice was so weak. “As one of the survivors, you’ll need to bear children. Can you?”
Dallas wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly. “What do you mean by survivors?”
“After the apocalypse, whatever it turns out to be. Destiny members must repopulate.”
They’d brought her in as a breeder. Nice. “I’ll do my part.”
“Good. Spencer always wanted children.” After struggling to get the words out, Lisa closed her eyes.
“Are you okay?” Dumb question.
The gaunt woman didn’t respond, but she was still breathing, a shallow ragged sound.
“It was nice to meet you.” Dallas fled the room, desperate to escape the most uncomfortable conversation she’d ever had.
She met Spencer in the hall and was afraid to even comment. “Lisa’s asleep. I’ll head back to my apartment.”
“No. Stay for lunch. I want to get to know you.”
“I need to wrap things up with a client, but I can be back here in half an hour.” She wanted to update her team and reapply the pheromones. If she couldn’t find the bunker tonight, she would need to get closer to Spencer and probe him for information. He was attractive, but not rough enough around the edges to generate real sexual chemistry for her. But she could fake her way through anything.
* * *
While Sonja was gone, Spencer grilled chicken and made a salad with lettuce from the greenhouse. Marissa had dropped off the vegetables the day before, as she did weekly. When lunch was ready, he left the front door open for Sonja, set a table outside on the patio, and checked on Lisa. She was sleeping peacefully. Her earlier conversation had been such a surprise. He woke each day now, wondering if he would find her gone.
As he walked back up the hall, Sonja breezed in, wearing a white tank top and a pair of shorts that looked like a skirt. She could have been a model for tennis clothing, but it was her face that held his attention. Wide cheekbones, brilliant blue eyes, and the most kissable lips he’d ever stared at. How could a man get this lucky twice in a lifetime?
“Let’s go out to the patio. I made salad and grilled chicken. Will that work for you?” He stepped outside and Sonja followed.
“It’s perfect. But honestly, I’ll eat almost anything that’s healthy.”
“People with variable diets live longer.” Without realizing he was going to, Spencer kissed her cheek.
Sonja smiled. “This is so lovely here. I’ll never get tired of seeing that gorgeous mountain.”
“It really gives us a sense of place.” Spencer joined her at the table.
“And the snow runoff produces the creek, which provides water and electricity. You’ve chosen an ideal location.”
“We did our homework and looked for somewhere safe from storms, but we also got lucky. My late father knew the land owner.”
They dug into the meal, and moments later, Sonja asked, “How is the generator coming? Grace seemed worried about it.”
His gut tightened. Why was she asking? He took a moment to finish chewing. “The generator will be fine. Did you get my email this morning?”
“No. About what?”
“I must have forgotten to add you to my group list.” He paused. “Grace had a family emergency and had to leave for a while. So we’re looking for another engineer to join us.” He tried to keep his voice light, but grief and guilt welled up. “You don’t happen to know anyone with those skills who might be persuaded, do you?”
“Sorry, my friends are more the artistic type. I’m sure you’ll find someone.” She took a sip of wine. “There’s no real rush, right?”
He wanted to tell her everything! Sonja had a magnetic pull that overwhelmed him at times. “With everything that’s happening now, especially the European banks, the collapse could be imminent.”
“But won’t it be a slow process? Months or even years until the economy falls into a permanent recession?”
Spencer shook his head. Why didn’t people realize this? “Once U.S. banks start to fail, people will panic and pull their money, and within days, the whole system will be crippled.”
“That’s faster than I imagined. But still, it’s why I keep a portion of my estate in gold bars.”
“You’re smart. Even smarter to be here, where we’ll be insulated from the worst effects.”
She leaned toward him, and he wanted to press his mouth to hers. How could he crave her so badly with his dying wife thirty feet away?
“What do you think it will be like after? I mean for most people.” Her eyes were troubled, and her compassion for others made him want her more.
“For the first few years, most people will manage to get by, even without heat or electricity. But food will become scarce, and whole regions will begin to starve. Resource wars will wipe out other large segments of the population.” The food in his stomach seemed to congeal. Spencer put down his fork. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this. It’s too depressing.”
“But large pockets of civilization will survive,” she countered. “They’ll form collectives like this one and become self-sustaining.”
“You’re right. The upside is that the collapse will reduce carbon emissions down to nearly nothing. Without factories, coal burners, or cars, we have a chance of keeping the earth’s temperature inhabitable.”
The sound of a motor caught their attention, and they both looked over at the road. Randall was taking the cart out. Spencer assumed he was going out to see Emma and the baby. “He’s probably checking on the generator. More wine?” He wanted Sonja to stop watching his brother.
“No, thanks. It’s too early.”
“What do you have planned for the day?”
“I thought I’d do some hiking. Explore the property.”
He couldn’t let her do that yet. “I have a better idea. Let’s do some target practice.”
Chapter 22
Friday, May 10, 7:30 a.m.
McCullen woke with a sense of urgency, something he didn’t experience often. Not only was Emma missing—and likely held captive—he had a bizarre homicide to solve. Even though the victim had been dead for weeks, the burglary tools and gun she’d carried made him think something big might still be going down.
He rushed through a shower, then took McGoo out for a walk while coffee brewed. The black lab had come into his life as a rescue dog soon after Emma left him for Randall. The timing had been serendipitous, and the sweet animal had kept him from thinking dark thoughts on lonely nights. But now he wondered if bonding with McGoo had kept him from reaching out to people—or even dating. It was time. Jamie Dallas had stirred up feelings he hadn’t experienced in years. Unluckily for him, she was only here for a short while, and he couldn’t even have direct contact with her.
He stopped to let the dog pee on his favorite tree, then turned back. McGoo sensed his mood and started to run. McCullen laughed and jogged to keep up.
In the bureau, he checked his email messages, surprised to see one from Dallas. It had arrived just after midnight, and it had no message, just an attached report. McCullen read through it quickly, letting out a low whistle. The Claytons had secretly buried one of their members. Had her death really been an accident? Dallas seemed to think so.
He heard Gibson’s heavy footsteps and looked up. His boss said, “You read the UC’s report?”
“It’s pretty weird. What did you advise her?”
“To ignore the illegal burial and find Emma Clayton if she can. I’m pulling her out in forty-eight hours either way.”
“Why? That’s not enough time.”
“First a missing woman, then a dead woman. I think it’s too dangerous for her to be ther
e.”
McCullen worried too, especially since his boss had leaked the intel to Mr. Caldwell. But he suspected Gibson had old-school ideas. “Are you pulling her because she’s a woman? I mean, if it were me out at Destiny, wouldn’t you leave me to finish the assignment?”
Gibson bristled, but took a moment to chew on it. “Maybe, but it’s not just gender. You’ve got more experience.”
“Dallas has more undercover experience that most agents ever get.” McCullen had read reports. “On her last assignment, she infiltrated a group of eco-terrorists in Oregon and helped resolve a hostage/bomb situation.”
“We’ll see how it goes.” Gibson shoved his hands in his pockets. “How’s the homicide investigation?”
“Nothing new, but the victim’s photo ran in the papers this morning, and I expect to get some calls.”
“Let me know as soon as you have an ID.”
“I will.”
Gibson turned to leave.
McCullen wanted more. “What is Dallas doing today? Have you heard from her?”
“She’s spending time with Spencer, then going back out tonight to search for the bunker.”
That seemed like such an overwhelming task. “I wonder if we could requisition a heat-seeking drone to fly over the property.”
Gibson barely controlled his impatience. “It’s fifty acres, and we’re not exactly looking for terrorists.”
McCullen tried not to feel stupid.
His boss continued, “Dallas sent an update this morning. Late last night, she cozied up to a Destiny member named Greg Rafferty. She found out he’s a hacker who was hired to do a job, and he admitted something about a financial test. He was drunk at the time, and I can’t find him in the database, so I don’t have any intel I can act on.”
“Why would a group of preppers need a hacker?” The idea disturbed him. So did the thought of Dallas drinking and making out with another man.
“I’ve been mulling that over. Maybe they need money and are planning a cyber theft.”
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