Chapter 7 - Beneath the Gala
The Arlington Grand had three basement levels.
Only two appeared on the public plans.
Walter knew about the third.
Of course he did.
We took the service stairs while guests were escorted from the hotel above us.
Vivian had changed out of her red gown and into a security officer's black jacket.
"You should stay upstairs," I told her.
"My sister is tied to a chair because my father worked for your uncle."
"That does not make you trained."
"Neither does a silver dress, Commander."
I almost smiled.
Almost.
The hidden basement door stood behind a rack of wine crates.
Walter entered a six-digit code.
"How long has this been here?" Briggs asked.
"Since the hotel opened."
"And who funded the hotel?"
Walter did not answer.
The door unlocked.
Inside was a command room filled with screens.
Traffic cameras.
Airport feeds.
Private building systems.
Nightglass had never been lost at sea.
A smaller version was operating beneath the gala.
Vivian stared at the screens.
"You have been watching all of us."
Walter looked ashamed for the first time.
"I told myself it prevented attacks."
"Did it prevent the Resolute?" I asked.
He flinched.
Briggs moved to the central console.
"Someone accessed this system twenty-eight minutes ago."
A list of files scrolled across the display.
Guest records.
Medical histories.
Financial accounts.
My surgical file.
"Vale found the implant serial number," Briggs said.
"Can he activate it remotely?"
"Not without physical contact."
A soft clap came from the doorway.
Vivian turned.
Her father stood there.
Colonel Marcus Cross looked older than his file photograph, but very much alive.
Vivian could not speak.
He stared at her with exhausted eyes.
"I am sorry, sweetheart."
She crossed the room and struck him with both fists.
"You let me bury you!"
Marcus did not defend himself.
"I had no choice."
"Everyone says that tonight."
I raised my weapon.
"Where is Emma?"
Marcus looked at Walter.
"Vale moved her. The warehouse coordinates are a trap."
"Where?"
"The old Georgetown tunnel beneath the river."
Briggs checked the timer.
Thirty-one minutes.
Marcus stepped toward the console.
"I can take you there."
Then every screen changed at once.
May you like
A live feed showed Emma inside a glass chamber.
Water began pouring in from the ceiling.
