Chasing Gold

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

The switchback staircase stretched up and up above her, echoing to the sound of stamping, rushing boots.

Alicia caught sight of the banner for the first time. Two terrorists were lugging the long package at the front of the fleeing herd, struggling, sweating, but forging gamely ahead. Their boss, it seemed, ran right behind them, shouting every time they stumbled or slowed. The closest man to her was a mercenary she recognized, and he was running as if a hellhound was snapping at his heels.

She was.

Alicia flew up the risers two at a time, pocketing her gun now that nobody seemed prepared to use them. At this altitude, she thought, that’s not a bad thing. Nobody wanted to fall through a smashed window over one thousand feet in the air.

The chase continued up, heading right for the top of the tower, and by now the less fit among them were starting to feel it. Feet slipped and tangled, sending men and women sprawling, making them lose precious seconds as they struggled once more to their feet. Alicia saw Russo at her back and then just a single FBI agent; she hoped the leaders above wouldn’t notice it.

Surely more would be waiting inside the entertainment area.

She caught the trailing merc, placing her hands on his shoulders, but he spun, expecting it, and shrugged her off. A well-placed elbow to the face made her cover up in the corner, and then he was away again, pounding ahead with increased adrenalin.

Russo came alongside her. “What the fuck are you doing, Myles?”

“Sorting a wedgie. Get a move on.”

Russo was so aghast he staggered up the next three steps. Alicia squeezed by him and laid on even more speed. She saw Crouch and Terri running alongside each other with Cutler just behind. The older man looked intensely white and unwell, and Alicia gritted her teeth even as she feared for him.

Up the stairs lay the Top of the World restaurant, an intimate lounge saved for live entertainment, then the observation deck and finally the thrill ride levels. Alicia saw that already the leaders had bypassed the restaurant and lounge.

Ah shit, that’s not good then.

Most of the other levels were outside.