Chapter 14 - Walter’s Third Switch
Lucy repeated Daniel’s instructions.
The relay panel contained a false metal plate beneath the main controls.
Harrison tore it open.
A manual grounding lever rested inside.
Pulling it would interrupt every signal.
But the electrical discharge could kill anyone touching the panel.
Silas read the warning.
“You pull that, your heart stops.”
Harrison wrapped his belt around the lever.
He tied the other end to an iron rail.
If he could create enough distance, he might survive.
The timer reached ninety seconds.
Silas crawled toward him.
“Let the families die.”
“Daniel knows too much.”
“Evelyn will kill us both.”
Harrison kicked the knife away.
“No.”
“She will only kill the man you chose to become.”
He pulled the belt.
The lever resisted.
The timer reached forty seconds.
Harrison pulled harder.
The leather began tearing.
Silas grabbed the belt.
For one moment, Harrison thought he was stopping him.
Instead, Silas added his weight.
“Evelyn promised me the ranch,” he said.
“She promised everyone something.”
Together, they pulled.
The lever slammed down.
A violent flash filled the chamber.
Harrison struck the ground.
The relay went dark.
At the white house, Daniel’s timer stopped at seven seconds.
The specialists removed the vest.
Beneath the auction house, every explosive signal died.
Silas lay unconscious near the panel.
Harrison could not feel his left hand.
But he was alive.
Mara’s voice came through the radio.
“I found Evelyn.”
Water roared behind her words.
Harrison ran toward the river tunnel.
He found Mara standing on a narrow platform above an underground flood channel.
Evelyn held Lucy at the edge.
Harrison’s heart stopped.
Lucy was supposed to be in the truck.
She had followed Mara into the tunnel after hearing Evelyn’s voice over the radio.
Evelyn pressed a knife against Lucy’s throat.
“Give me Walter’s deed.”
“It is at the auction house.”
“Then call them.”
Mara raised Price’s pistol.
Evelyn dragged Lucy closer to the water.
“You will not shoot while I hold her.”
Mara’s hands trembled.
Lucy looked at her mother.
Then she whispered.
“Mom, remember the white house stairs.”
Mara’s expression changed.
Lucy suddenly dropped her full weight.
Evelyn lost her balance.
May you like
The knife moved away from Lucy’s throat.
Mara fired.
