One of them was named Jake. Lori glanced at Dan as they both noted the slipup before a new fear dawned on her. She looked around for Sam, Billys golden retriever. He wasnt a barker or a good guard dog at all, really. He was just gentle, loving Sam.
Whatve they done with him?
Vic sat in the chair opposite the sofa, placing his gun on the arm and staring at her family from behind his mask.
Weve been watching you for a long time, he began. Weve been doing our homework. We know all about you. Billy Fulton, fourth grade at Eisenhower Elementary, dog lover, Little League, shortstop for the Roseoak Park Wild Tigers. Lori Fulton, age thirty-four, devoted mother. You never miss one of Billys games. You work at Dixon Donlevy Mutual Life Insurance investigating insurance fraud. Someone in this house is partial to Ben & Jerrys ice cream. Cherry Garcia, judging by what we found in your trash.
Dan, age thirty-six. You were in the National Guard, army, when you guys lived in Southern California. You work for SkyNational Trust Banking Corp. A few years ago, you were transferred to New York. Now youre the manager of a suburban branch here in Roseoak Park. You like the Jets, but youre still loyal to the Dodgers, according to your Tweets. You both volunteer with charities. How we doing so far? Weve got you nailed, right?
Loris stomach clenched at Vics accuracy. She glanced at Dan. He remained tense, keeping his eyes on Vic as he continued.
Tomorrows going to be a long day. We know Dans branch is one of the earliest-opening branches in the state, opening its doors at 6:00 a.m., to serve commuting customers. This is whats going to happen. Dan, youll be going to work in the morning, as usual, while we stay here with your wife and son. But tomorrow youre going to remove a quarter million dollars from the vault. We know about cash inventory in a branch like yours. Youll place the money in a bag like this one here. He motioned to the duffel on the floor. No dye packs, no radio transmitters, no bait, no silent alarms. Youll leave the bank, follow our instructions. Once thats done and we have the cash, everyone is let go unharmed. You got that?
Dan didnt move. His face was expressionless but for a twitch in his jaw.
You need more incentive, Dan?
Vic nodded toward Thorne, who came forward and unzipped the duffel bag, removing what looked like a small vest bearing thin, brick-shaped items connected to wires. Cutty then yanked Billy from the sofa. He sliced the tape from Billys hands and, with Thornes help, slipped the vest over Billy, then resealed his hands.
Lori screamed into the tape.
No! Dan roared into his.
Vic leaned forward.
Thats right, he said, pointing with his gun as he continued. Thats a suicide vest. Its loaded with C-4 and all sorts of good stuff. Any of us here can detonate it simply by dialing a cell number.
Thorne and Cutty pulled another vest from the bag, cut the tape from Loris hands, and forced it on her. She struggled in vain when they retaped her wrists, her mind reeling. As she stood next to her son, each of them now wearing a bomb, her knees weakened at the thought of Billy in danger, and she inhaled sharply. They were living and breathing second by second. Their surroundings-the curtains shed sewn herself, the sofa set theyd bought on sale, the antique coffee table theyd gotten in Williamsburg-their sanctuary instantly took on an unspeakable dimension as images blazed before her.
She imagined their viscera splattered over the living room walls, mingling with the paint color, Coral Sunset, she and Dan had finally decided on. Blood obscuring the paintings they fell in love with on their vacation in Maine. It all seemed silly now.
Now, Ill ask you again, Vic said. Are you going to cooperate, follow our instructions and get us the money?
Dan looked hard at Lori and Billy, his eyes filling with tears, and nodded.
3
Roseoak Park, New York
Cutty, Percy and Thorne took Lori and Billy to the basement.
Their captors switched on the stairway light and marched them down the stairs. With every creaking step, Lori felt time ticking on their lives. The heavy vests enveloped them with the threat of death. Her skin prickled as adrenaline burned through her body, but she moved slowly, terrified that a sudden action might trigger the bombs.
The sound of her own blood rushing in her ears was deafening, but a steely clink and jingle caught her attention. Cutty carried a coiled chain with locks. The heavy fragrance of powdered detergent filled the damp air when they reached the laundry room, stopping at the wall before the washer and dryer.
Lie down there. Thorne pointed to the shag mat that Lori had made herself when theyd lived in California. There were mistakes in it that she noticed every time she looked at it, but Dan loved it and had insisted she not throw it out. Heaped on the mat were the sheets and towels shed planned to wash the next day. As Lori and Billy eased themselves carefully on to the pile, Lori could feel the components of her vest digging into her side. She held Billys terrified gaze, hoping to reassure him despite the fear that bubbled inside her.