Trapezoid (The Base)

Chapter 28

For some reason these nitwits weren't able to correctly formulate his chemical toxin to detonate at the right temperature. Now there he was, more than six feet underground combining it himself. Richard thought they'd be packaging this morning, but no. There was no way that could happen if the chemical substance would explode during transportation or when being handled. One sample package had detonated a few nights ago. These so-called chemists had said it had rocked the whole area. Well, it was a good thing for them he was in no disposition to rock them the same way.

Besides, there were other things on his mind—that new blonde chic for example. There was something about her—that he didn't like. Aunt Martha didn't say anything negative about her, and neither did Thomas. But then, the only thing Aunt cared about was a good worker. And Thomas was a good boy underneath the bad guy cover. He was the reverse of that. That's why he didn't like that Kristal girl. She was one of those people with high moral standards—or at least that was what Thomas had said—maybe to keep him away from her. He knew people like her believed what he was planning to do was wrong, but did he care? With this one attack, he'd turn richer than he already was, and best of all, no one would be able to pin a thing on him.

Oh, if she knew what he was up to, she'd beg him not to commit such evil and say something like "How dare you enrich yourself at the cost of other people's lives!" But that didn't matter to him. People died every day, and that was everybody's destiny anyway.

But somehow, Richard Greenwood never quite absorbed the fact that he was just as mortal as everyone else.

...............................................

There Chris sat on the couch in the apartment Stevens shared, head in her hands as MI5 agents hovered around her, just as panicky as her. William, the guy he'd brought her here, was almost incredulous when she told him Greenwood was in town. "Why didn't you communicate with CIA or something?"

Her nerves snapped at his harsh tone. "My room is undoubtedly bugged!" she said, shooting up from the couch. "And besides, I thought both CIA and you guys were up to tabs with his whereabouts!"

He laughed sardonically, running his fingers through his short hair. "First, Greenwood vanishes like a ghost. Then, wham!" He punched his fist into his palm for emphasis. "Here he appears, shaking us to the core."

"That's not the worst," she mumbled. She reached up to place her hands on his shoulders, hopefully to keep him from rocketing through the ceiling. He waited expectantly, his hazel eyes unblinking. Then she thought the better of it. Did he need to know Greenwood was up to something today? Right now, to be more precise? Her hands dropped to her sides. "Never mind."

William arched a brow in warning. "Now listen here, miss. You don't go around clamping up at times like this."

She matched his demeanor. "Now listen here, sir. You're about only ten years my senior and you're lecturing me like I'm your daughter."

He huffed, turning his gaze at the retro portrait on the wall. "No wonder Stevens never said anything sparkly about you."

His name brought the shadow back over her. As soon as they'd safely reached here, Stevens had locked himself in his room. Breaking the door down had been an option, but it was soon cancelled. There was no telling if he'd react with violence or not. The former had been most likely. Maybe she should give it a try. After all, this kind of action was unexpected of him. Why it manifested in violence, was a mystery to her. There was something on his heart, she believed, that had been triggered by this day. The unbidden memory of his hands squeezing the life out of her flashed through her mind. There was no telling if he'd do something worse.