Raid by Terry Schott

Author:Terry Schott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Published: 2018-03-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

Kara reached for her phone. “Hello?”

It was her secretary. “There’s a lady on her way in.”

“What?”

“I couldn’t stop her.”

“Who is it?” Her office door opened and a woman entered. Kara felt her mouth go dry. “Never mind. I got it, thanks.” She hung up the phone and stood. “Mrs. Benneman. Good morning.”

The woman did not smile as she walked to the chair across from Kara’s desk and sat. “You can call me Ruth.”

Kara nodded as she fought the urge to open the door and run away as fast as she could. She felt her lip quiver but forced herself to maintain a smile. “Ruth, then. It’s an honour to meet you.”

Ruth Benneman looked around the office, a bored expression on her face. She took her time, noting the pictures on the walls, the furnishings. Her stare finally came to rest on Kara, reminding her of a cobra coiled on a warm stone. “You know who I am?”

Kara cleared her throat. “Yes. Of course. Isaac was very excited when he learned you were one of our major backers. I remember how much it meant—”

“I’m told that Isaac is unavailable.”

“That’s right.”

Ruth blinked slowly. “And you’re in charge.”

Kara nodded.

Ruth stared at her for a long moment. Kara dared not break the silence.

“I’m here to collect my grandson.”

“Um.”

“No.” Ruth raised one eyebrow. “There is no ‘um.’ No excuses, reasons, whatever you want to call them. Only what I said. Bring me. My. Grandson.”

Kara considered her options. She stood. “I’ll take you to him.” She walked to the door and opened it. Two tall, muscular men stood outside the door. Their eyes turned to look at her, but they remained motionless otherwise. She looked back at Ruth Benneman.

The woman sat with her back to the door for the count of ten. Then she stood, turned, and walked through the door. The bodyguards took positions in front of her.

Kara nodded. “If you’ll follow me.”

***

Ruth stared down at her grandson. “Wake him up.”

There was a long moment of silence. The most powerful organized-crime boss in the country looked up and fixed Kara with an icy glare.

“It’s not safe to wake him.”

“Not safe?” Ruth’s eyes closed. “You idiots.”

Kara bit her lip.

“I didn’t believe them when they told me that you’d lost control.” Ruth shook her head. “I should have. The news came from programmers working for you.”

“Mrs. Benneman, I can assure you that your grandson is fine. There’s no danger to him.”

“Then bring him out.”

“When his play ends, he will exit the game safely.”

“But not if you try to pull him out before his play is finished?”

“Likely not.” Kara shook her head. “Doing so presents serious risks at this time. There have been a couple of unsuccessful extractions.”

“Resulting in death.”

“Yes.”

“How many have died coming out after their play ends?”

“None.”

“So far.”

“Yes, but we don’t expect that to change.”

“Some disagree with that assessment.”

“That’s news to me.”

The crime lord snorted. “Pathetic. You’re supposed to be in charge, yet I know more about this mess than you.”

Kara pursed her lips and fought the urge to cry.

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