Chapter 66: The Exchange
Lincoln called and told Susan to be at the Museum of Antiquities. After he ended the call, Michael walked over to the gift shop and picked up a replica arrowhead and stuck it in his pocket.
The group sauntered over to a place in the museum that was more secluded.
Whistler appeared to be anxious and fidgety.
"Relax," said Michael, "No one's getting hurt. It all ends here."
Soon, Susan strolled over to them with L.J. and Sophia.
"Let's get this over with," snarled Susan, clearly flustered at not being able to call the shots anymore.
Michael smiled, noticing her unease.
"Fine by me."
L.J. walked over to Lincoln as Michael let Whistler walk over towards Susan. L.J. and Lincoln embraced in a hug while Whistler paused to hug Sophia.
"I'm so sorry," he murmured into her ear.
Susan rolled her eyes.
Sophia nodded and moved to stand beside Jack. Jack put a comforting arm across her shoulders and gave her an encouraging smile.
Sophia froze, suddenly and shot a look at Susan.
"Why aren't you asking him for the coordinates?" she demanded.
"I'll give them to her later," said Whistler, quickly.
"You said you need them right away," said Sophia, looking confused.
"You can't be serious," sneered Susan.
"I'll give them to her later," insisted Whistler.
"Where are the coordinates James?" asked Sophia, suspiciously.
"Okay, that's it," snapped Susan, "I'm tired of keeping your princess in a little bubble. There are no coordinates, sweetheart."
Whistler grimaced and glanced uneasily at Sophia. Her eyes welled up with tears as she glared at him.
"You lied to me," she whispered as she slowly backed away.
"No…"
Sophia shook her head and turned her back on him. She walked over and stood between Lincoln and Jack, both of whom were shooting death-glares at Whistler.
"Let's go!" snapped Susan as she turned away.
"Wait!" said Michael, suddenly, "There must be an agent posted at every exit, right?"
Susan narrowed her eyes at Michael. Michael only smiled back. Suddenly, he raised his arm and sent it crashing down into a glass box. It shattered and triggered an alarm in the museum.
Susan snarled angrily as the officers began to usher everyone out the front doors. As they stepped outside, the police began to search everyone.
The police grab Whistler and pulled out an arrowhead from his pocket.
Whistler's eyes flew open in a panic.
"That…that's not mine!"
The police officer sneered, "You bet it's not!"
Susan stalked over to him and grabbed the arrowhead. She bent it and it broke in half.
"It's plastic!" she exclaimed, furiously.
The police officer gazed curiously at Whistler. Suddenly recognition covered his face.
"You're one of the escapees!" he cried in surprise.
Susan nodded over to one of her agents near a car. The man stalked forward, gun in hand. But before he could reach her, another officer tackled him to the ground. The gun went off and the crowd began to scream in panic.
Sophia collapsed on the stairs, blood beginning to show through her shirt. Lincoln cried out and ran over to her. L.J. followed closely behind him.
"Dad you gotta go!" he yelled, "The police will recognize you! I'll stay with her!"
Lincoln hesitated, but realized that L.J. was right. With a final glance back at Sophia, he took off after Michael.
Meanwhile…
While the officers had ushered everyone out the front door, Jack had managed to slip away. Alex was panicking and looking everywhere for her.
"Jack!" he called, scanning the crowd.
Jack had managed to get back to the car during the mayhem. She pulled a gun out of the glove compartment and sat in the passenger seat cradling it in her hands. She took and shaky breath, then stepped back out of the car. A cold light entered her eyes as she stalked over to where Susan stood near her SUV. Just then, she heard a shot go off. The crowd began to panic.
"Perfect," she murmured, pleased that the crowd would be too distracted to pay her any attention.
She stalked forward and soon found Susan, turning to climb into the SUV with Whistler.
"Susan!" screamed Jack above the racket around her.
Susan turned around and came face to face with Jack. Jack held the gun steadily out in front of her, the cold light in her eyes growing more intense. For a fleeting second, a look of pure terror crossed Susan's face…then it was over.
Jack fired once and Susan fell to the ground…dead.
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