CHAPTER 64
“Give me the keys!” I screamed to Higgins, showing him my phone. “Give me the keys, dammit. We don’t have time! Now!”
Dobson’s terrified screams rained down from above, mixing with my own. I broke away from Higgins when he nodded, and rushed the police officers that had taken the keys. I grabbed one of the big men by the shoulder, reaching frantically for the keys, trying to force them out of his hand. He knew who I was, but still he looked ready to toss me to the ground.
“Please,” I said. “Please I need those keys.”
Higgins whistled to get his attention.
“Give him the keys,” he said.
Rushing to the front door, I forced my hands to stop shaking long enough to slip the key into the lock. Once inside, I took the stairs three at a time up five flights. I unlocked the door to apartment 7A, and in I went.
I saw Ruby right away. She was lying on the hardwood floor, the ball gag in her mouth secured around her head by leather straps, her arms pulled behind her back, bound with climbing rope. Her legs were tied together at the ankles. Then I saw the video camera attached to a computer—a live broadcast, I presumed. It was set up on the table, the only piece of furniture in an otherwise completely empty two-bedroom condo. I remembered the instructions. If I tried to untie her, the Fiend would see it, and boom would go the dynamite—or homemade explosive, in this case. There were no rules about kissing, though, so I pressed my lips to Ruby’s forehead, overcome with relief that for the moment, she was alive.
No matter what it takes, or how far I have to go, I’m not going to let her die.
“I’ll be right back, baby,” I said. “He’s watching us. If I try to untie you, he’s going to blow the bomb Dobson is wearing. I just have to go out onto that ledge for a second.” I pointed to the window. How nonchalantly I said that! Ah, just a quick little jaunt out on a narrow ledge five stories up, when I got sick to my stomach looking out a window.
Ruby rolled her head from side-to-side in a frenzied motion, screaming through the gag, twisting her body to get free. Of course she didn’t want me to go. Of course she worried that I would fall. I worried the same.
“Trust me,” I said. “I’m going to do it. I’ll be all right.” I kissed her forehead once more, rose from my crouch, and headed for that open window.