Deceit. [COMPLETED.]

Chapter 83

"The final countdown."

In the semi darkness of the room Geoff turned from the window and started pacing. He began to massage his scalp.

'Oh this is no good.'

He then stopped. Everyone was touched by the light from the fireplace. All faces glowed. All faces looked pensive. He brought us all together.

'Ok so what now?'

He didn't wait for any answer. We didn't respond.

'So he wants us to open the fuse box. Yes. That's what he wants us to do but why? Because it's linked to explosives and if so then who is he trying to kill - the person who opens the door, or the people in this room? Exactly how big are the explosives set?'

He suddenly stopped and asked Max if the man who had been here earlier had been here into the living room.

'I don't think so.'

It drew a frown.

'Don't think so or know so.'

Geoff's face hardened.

'Look lady. We can't work on thoughts, why's or wherefore's - we need facts,' he snapped. 'Did he or didn't he.'

'No he didn't,' cried Max.

'So what happened?' asked Geoff. 'Did he move around on his own or was one of you with him?'

A blank look across Max and Tina's face caused Geoff to frown even more.

'Great. So he could have walked around the whole fucking house for all we know and rigged every fucking door.'

He began to pace up and down the room.

'Ok. So if the house doesn't explode, then what?'

'He comes in and starts shooting,' I answered.

But Geoff turned and shook his head.

'No. Too dangerous. He would need to put the lights back on and then what? The whole house goes up? No. Too dangerous and anyway he will lose the element of surprise.'

'Then he waits outside,' I retorted.

'Yes he does.'

Geoff liked that idea.

'On his own, he wouldn't be able to watch both exits and so the front door would be the most likely place he would choose to wait.'

I ushered my daughter close and held her tight against my side.

'As I see it,' said Geoff. 'Is we have three options. One. We slug it out here and try and wait for daylight. Two. We call the police and accept the consequences, or three; we attempt a breakout.'

But calling the police was not an option, nor was the first idea because the longer we stayed indoors the more likely it would be that he would revert to another plan.

'Look.'

Max started to walk to the door.

'This is ridiculous. Let me go outside. If he is working for Uri then he will know who I am and so let me talk to him. If he is being paid I can double whatever he is getting.'

But that was just crazy.

'This is not about money,' I said annoyed. 'This is about tying up loose ends and we are it.'

Geoff agreed with a somber nod of his head.

'If only we had a fucking gun,' he said looking round, 'or some kind of weapon. It might just rebalance the odds.'