Page 16 of Trapped With the Secret Agent

In-Charge’s hand flexed around Georgia’s arm, squeezing. She sagged and gasped in pain.

Wrong question.

“What does the ambassador say? Has he talked with the president?” Peter asked quickly.

In-Charge stared at him for a moment, a sneer twisting his features. “You will find out for me.” He hauled Georgia back over to Peter. In-Charge let go of her arm and shoved her roughly into Peter’s arms. He caught her by the shoulders, steadying her, but was quick to release her. He didn’t want this nutcase thinking he could use her against him too.

In-Charge yelled something at his men then walked out. They closed in around Peter and Georgia, forcing them to follow.

Ambassador Mitchell’s office had been trashed. Pictures that had once hung on the walls were now a shattered mess on the floor; the big desk had been shoved across the room and partially smashed. Someone had shot the phone.

Three more terrorists prowled the room, but Ambassador Mitchell was nowhere to be seen.

As they entered, two men grabbed Peter by the arms and neck holding him rigid in the center of the room. Another pointed his AK-47 at Peter’s temple.

In-Charge grabbed Georgia by the arm again and yanked her over to stand in front of Peter, using his other hand to force her face only inches away from Peter’s nose. She stared at Peter with an expression of terror on her face, as if he were the devil himself.

He met her gaze letting his eyes communicate for him.Hang on, Georgia. You can do it.

“Is the ambassador here?” Peter asked, forcing his voice to stay calm.

“He’s in the other room.” With a jerk of his head, In-Charge indicated the door to the private office behind him. “He failed to get us what we want.”

Peter stared at In-Charge. “Is he dead?”

“No.” In-Charge smiled slowly, an expression that made Peter’s skin crawl. “Not yet. I shot him in the leg. Without medical treatment it will take him many days to die.”

The way he said it gave Peter the impression that would make the other man very happy.

“Shooting the ambassador isn’t going to help you.”

“No? Your government doesn’t understand. This is no game we play. We will get what we want or every American here will die.” He shook Georgia’s head for emphasis.

She squeezed her eyes shut and whimpered.

“Now you will talk to them and you will explain what will happen if they continue treating us like fools!” His voice rose with every word until he was yelling. As he spoke, he continued to shake Georgia, squeezing her neck so hard her knees buckled and she fell to the ground tears falling down her face and gasping for air.

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