Page 33 of Hidden Chance

“Then you can tell it to security.”

“Please. This assignment is covert, and, frankly, I don’t trust you.”

“Good. You shouldn’t. I’m not on your side.” She reached to dial the number for the guard.

“Put it down.”

She looked at him, her finger frozen over the button. He was holding a gun.

“Put the phone down immediately.”

The fear didn’t hit her right away, but she felt feeble, holding nothing more than pepper spray. She hung up and lifted her hands. “Why do you have a gun?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want things to get this far. I was going to be in and out of your office. You wouldn’t have known a thing about it.”

She tried to pray, but looking down the barrel of the gun thwarted her attempts. “Please don’t shoot.”

“I won’t. But I’m afraid you’re going to have to come with me.”

“You can have anything in my office you want. Just take whatever you want and go. ”

“That’s what I’m doing.”

“But…why would you want to take me? I don’t know anything. Tie me up or something. That way, you can get away without me interfering. The cleaners won’t find me for hours. I can’t do anything to stop you.”

“All you have to do is cooperate, and you won’t get hurt.”

“But I don’t know anything. If you want information about Burma, you need to speak to—” She stopped when she realized all she could do was implicate someone else and put them in danger.

“Speak to who?”

“No one. There’s a team who makes decisions on where the fundraising money gets allocated. I have nothing to do with it. I don’t even get to go on any of the trips overseas. Why are you so interested in me?”

“Despite what you say, I don’t believe you. I want answers, and I’m confident you have them. Let’s go.”

“Please.”

“Now.”

She turned slowly and walked toward the elevators. There was always a guard on duty in the lobby, but Robby had to know that. She stopped, and the gun pressed into her back.

“Move.”

“You didn’t…you haven’t hurt anyone here?”

“No, why would I? That was the whole reason I came in here when everyone was gone.”

“Will you promise not to hurt anyone?”

“That depends on you. You’re hoping the guard in the lobby will come to your rescue?”

She winced. “At first. But he probably has a family. I don’t want him to get hurt.”

Robby pushed the button to call the elevator. “Yes, he probably does. That’s why you’re going to keep your mouth shut and act like nothing is wrong. You think you can do that?”

The elevator doors opened, and he pushed her on board.

“I don’t know. What if I look nervous and he suspects something?”

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