Free Fall

Seventy-Eight

Weld County, Colorado

In the distance, the sun glinted off windshields and dust rose from the wake of approaching vehicles.

“They’re coming fast,” Seth said.

He was the first to spot the police convoys bearing down on them. They came in lines from the north, the south and the east, forming an armored horseshoe, for the west was a slope down to the river with no escape.

It didn’t matter.

Veyda and Seth had no need to run.

“I’m surprised,” Seth said. “They’re faster than we expected.”

“But not fast enough,” Veyda said.

The armored trucks stopped within forty yards of them and spewed SWAT teams. Each member took up a shielded position and aimed at them in a C-ring of firepower.

“FBI! Stand up slowly! Put your hands above your head with palms showing! Now!”

Curtains of prairie dust floated over Seth and Veyda as they stood slowly and raised their hands.

“You’re too late!” Seth called to them.

“What’s done cannot be undone!” Veyda said.

“Shut up and walk slowly toward us!”

Seth turned to Veyda.

“We did it, babe. Yours is the power and the glory at thirty-six thousand feet above us.”

Tears streamed down Veyda’s face as she nodded and whispered, “We did it. We’ll be immortal.”

“Start walking now!” an FBI agent shouted.

“Are you ready?” Seth moved his hand slightly to touch Veyda’s fingers.

“Yes, Seth. I’m ready.”

Seth moved his hand quickly to his back, gripped the gun tucked in his waistband then shot Veyda, who dropped instantly, before he pointed the gun at the laptops, intending to destroy them before killing himself. But the law moved faster.

Gunfire exploded in a rapid, deafening volley and Seth collapsed on the computers next to Veyda.

In the peaceful silence, SWAT team members edged quickly to the scene. The paramedics were summoned and SWAT team leaders examined the aftermath.

Varner joined them.

The laptops were bloodied and one was chipped. Another had missing keys. Their last hope of undoing the midair disaster was gone.