Page 266 of Roberto

We were only a few hundred feet from Lau’s office building.

Once we drove underground, I would probably lose reception –

And there wouldn’t be another opportunity to call him until this was all over.

If I was still alive.

“I’ll call you as soon as I’m safe,” I said, “but check that account every 15 minutes. If you don’t hear from me within three hours, sell any crypto you get and transfer it to a bankimmediately. Do you understand?”

“Roberto – ”

“DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!” I yelled at the top of my voice.

“…yes.”

“I have to go,” I said. “Tell everyone I love them. I love you, too, Nic.”

“ROBERTO – ”

I hung up the phone as the Bentley pulled into the underground garage.

94

If anyone knew about the shooting at the Continental, they hadn’t told the parking booth attendant. He was scrolling on his cell phone as Mei-ling drove up and took a ticket from the automated dispenser.

We parked in a spot and hurriedly got out.

I kept the Smith & Wesson but concealed it in my pants pocket.

The detonator was inside my jacket…

And I carried my suitcase with my left hand as we walked to the elevator and rode up to the ground floor.

The people in the lobby were going calmly about their daily routines.

They were blissfully ignorant of the mess that had occurred just a few miles away –

And of the drama about to unfoldhere.

Thirty seconds later, Mei-ling and I were alone in an express elevator to the 70thfloor.

I looked at her and saw both fear and wild abandon in her eyes.

At the same instant, we leaned forward and kissed passionately.

I pulled away first. “I love you.”

She smiled. “I love you, too.”

“Ready?”

She nodded.

The belldinged,and the elevator door opened.

95

We strolled into the lobby like it was just an ordinary day.

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