Day of Doom by David Baldacci Read Free Book Online Page B

hostages. As Vesper
    Six   I would very much hope that you would   see that.”
    Cheyenne cast him a dirty look. “Don’t push it, Vesper   Four.   No one diedand made you supreme being.”
    “True, so very true. We all knowwho our leader is, don’t we, Cheyenne?”

    He glanced at her with a gleefulcondescension. She merely looked away.
    “How do you want to do this?” sheasked.
    “The plan is set,” Sandy said sharply.   “Just   execute   the plan. No deviations, my dear. None!” He did not sound the least bit nice or charming now.
    A sullen Cheyenne climbed out of the vehicle and walked off to “execute” the plan.

    Inside the restaurant, Phoenix had justfinished telling Ian and Evan everything heknew.
    Evan said, “Okay, that’s very helpful.
    Now let’s fill you in from our end.”

    Evan and Ian took turns telling Phoenix all that had happened while hehad been a hostage.
    Evan said, “We haven’t heard backfrom Amy and the others yet. But I e-mailed them about hearing from you. Theyknow we’re out here. I’m sure they’ll behere soon.”
    Ian studied Phoenix. “You’re sure
    that the hostages are okay? And   Natalie ?”
    “Everyone is sort of like me. Hungry, dirty, dinged up, but okay. Well, Nellie got shot. But she’s okay, too.”
    Evan’s phone buzzed. He looked at the long text, his eyes widening as he did
    so.
    “Amy and the others were attacked in DC by Isabel and her goons. They barely got out alive.”

    Ian groaned. “God, I hate my mother. What happened?”
    Evan read over the text once moreand explained why the others were in DC.
    “They went there when we told them Isabel was on her way to Washington,” headded.
    “But Lewis and Clark’s compass?” Ian said curiously. “My mother was interested in that? Why?”
    “Amy doesn’t say. She also says that they think Riley McGrath is Vesper One, but that’s not his real name.”
    “Well, we know that,” said Ian. “We found out about him when we hacked Sinead’s e-mails. Riley McGrath was a park ranger. And he’s dead. Vesper One just assumed his identity. Doesn’t really help us much. He probably has lots of

    identities.”
    “She also said that Hamilton and
    Jonah are on their way here. We’re towait and meet them.”
    “Jonah is coming?” said Phoenix. He idolized his famous cousin, though he didn’t think much of his songwriting abilities. In that, he wasn’t alone. Many people, while acknowledging that Jonah had a great voice, didn’t like his songs. But millions of others did, so he was a superstar. It was just how the world worked.
    “Yes. And they might get here faster than we did. Jonah has his own plane.”
    “We have to hurry,” said Phoenix. “Right now all the hostages are okay, but that might change.”
    They both looked at him.

    Evan said slowly, “Uh, Phoenix, Iguess you don’t know.”
    “Know what?”
    Evan looked at Ian, who said quietly, “Alistair is dead, Phoenix. I’m sorry.”
    Phoenix looked at both of them, smallclusters of tears gathering in his eyes. “Alistair’s dead?” He looked like hemight start sobbing. “But he was okay thelast time I saw him.”
    “I’m sure he was,” said Ian. “I’msorry to have to be the one to tell you.”
    “He might have just given up,” said Evan quietly. “Sometimes people do.”
    Phoenix covered his face with hishands and wept softly. Evan lookednervously around the restaurant to see ifanyone was watching, but luckily no onewas. He dipped a napkin in his glass of

    water and gave it to Phoenix to wipe his
    face.
    “I know it’s hard, Phoenix. But we have to keep moving on, to help the other hostages.”
    Ian was about to say something else when he looked up and said, “That was extraordinarily fast.”
    The others turned and saw Hamilton
    and Jonah rush in, spot them, and head their way.
    They all hugged one another and shook hands. Phoenix gave Jonah a particularly   hard