July 1992

  The dinner moves into drinks and dancing. The music is pop and some rock, new and old. And Chris and Elle moved to the dance floor. Sitting in on each one of Elle’s csses taught him a few moves. Sensing the air around her as she moved helped to. They spin and swing. They even do a little dirty dancing before getting the look from their parents, who were also dancing. They quickly stop. She really was getting into this. He wasn’t about to compin. Though the parents were trying a little dirty dancing as well. Their mothers even taking turns with Jackson and Jerry.

  The music slows down and they move in close for a slow dance. Moving in sync with each other. Her body pressed lightly against his. Her light body spray drifting up to his nose, making him feel so good.

  “Having fun?” Chris asks softly.

  Elle pulls her head back. “Like you need to ask.”

  He smiles and kisses her. “You are so beautiful.”

  She kisses him this time, then pces her head on his shoulder. “I love you, Chris.”

  “I love you, too.”

  They dance for one more slow song.

  During a brief silent moment, Chris hears something coming from the ceiling. Like someone moving and talking. He turns his elemental hearing on.

  “Proceeding with the pn, sir.”

  “Chris? What is it?”

  “I don’t know. But I got a bad feeling about this.” Chris gets up. “We should go. Someone in the ceiling just mentioned going through with some pn.”

  “You serious?” Jackson asks.

  But as they get up to tell their parents, the all the doors to the hall sm shut. The ceiling blows out in several pces as men and women alike repel down. Chaos erupts in the room.

  “Everyone on the ground!” A masked military looking man yells then shoots his rifle into the ceiling. Everyone does as ordered.

  Everyone except about half a dozen others, who seem to work with these guys. Chris recognizes one of them. It was Mr. Suave-io Vega. He even recognizes some of the assassin girls, too. The sudden entrance has most of the other attendees crying or screaming in shock.

  “Now, everyone can rest assured! We are only here for a few of you! Would the Talvert’s and Prowman’s please stand up!” Mr. Vega announces.

  Larry starts to stand up.

  “Dad?!”

  “It’s okay, son. Maybe I can get the rest of these people out of here first.” He stands. “All right, we’re here.”

  “Mr. Talvert. So good to see you again. Now the rest of your family and friends.” Mr. Suave orders.

  Larry waves them up. Chris takes Elle’s hand. He can feel her anger building.

  “Elle, just wait. My dad has a pn.” He tells her in air speak. “And I think I know what he has pnned. Just hold tight.”

  A small group of men walk to Mr. Suave’s side. The oldest looking one, looks about to be in his mid fifties, with a strong jawline and close cut hair. Russian? To his right is a man taller than him, and built. Possibly military by the way of his haircut and poise. The man to the old man’s left is the youngest looking, maybe early to mid twenties, built, dark hair.

  Chris can’t believe he didn’t notice Mr. Suave earlier. They must have been in the back.

  “Please, let everyone else go. They have nothing to do with whatever it is you want with us. Which I can only guess.”

  Mr. Suave ughs. “You are correct. I want nothing to do with these people. They can go.”

  The military guys, mercenaries more likely, hustle everyone out of the dining hall through one door. It only takes about a minute, then they’re all alone with the dinner hijackers.

  A few of the mercenaries come over and keep the families at bay. They’re machine guns trained on them. Chris didn’t see a single one shaking, either. These guys meant business.

  “Now that that’s out of the way. Let me formally introduce myself.” Mr. Suave walks over. “My name is Ramon Garcia. A business man, like yourself.”

  “Dare I ask what business you're in?” Simon asks.

  “Why, of making money, that is. And that little machine you used to repair this beautiful young woman’s back will make me plenty. Not to mention all of Director Hariman’s ‘stolen’ data.”

  Elle’s power fres out of anger.

  “Easy, Elle.” Chris air speaks to her.

  She just grumbles.

  “What? The Director was a colleague of yours? Why does that not surprise me? And let me guess, the old man over there must be Mr. Starinski?”

  Garcia turns his head. “Comrade Vdimir. It seems you’re famous.”

  The Russian ughs. “Yes, it would seem. It’s a pleasure to meet you at st, Mr. Talvert. Mr. Prowman. Sorry we had to meet under such circumstances.”

  “I bet. Just what are you pnning on doing? You know I didn’t bring the data or the machine along with me. Seeing as how your girls have been spying on our families for the st month.”

  “Yes, my girls have been keeping quite vigint tely. But that’s their job. Doing what I say.” He snaps his fingers and they run out the back door. Daggers at the ready. “Now. Here is what we are going to do. You will come with us. I have a limo waiting out back. We will take that limo to the airport where my private jet will take us to Tailorton and you will hand over the devise and Director Hariman’s data to me and Mr. Starinski. Do that and you all will live.”

  “Chris. Super bst. Wide arc.” His dad says in air speak, surprising him.

  “That’s why you had everyone leave?”

  “You bet, now cut loose.”

  All right. Chris has been waiting for this.