by Tate, Harley
City Center
Las Vegas, NV
Saturday 2:30 a.m. PST
Fear percolated inside Lainey’s stomach as she sat inside the van. A police officer emerged from the cop car in front, handgun trained on Lainey’s face. She held her hands up where he could see them.
“Step out of the vehicle. Hands up.”
“You don’t have to listen to him. You can stay inside.”
She stared at the cop. “What if he shoots us?”
“We shoot back.”
Lainey couldn’t take the chance. She pointed at the door with an exaggerated gesture so the cop could see and reached for the handle before pushing it open. As she eased down from the van, she kept her hands where the officer could see them.
He shuffle-stepped toward her. With a hat and black tactical gear covering his body from head to toe, Lainey couldn’t guess much more than the man’s age. Thirty, maybe younger. Seemed fit, but she couldn’t be sure. He practically glowered. “Turn around, hands on the vehicle.”
Lainey complied. “We’re not criminals. We’re from Los Angeles. Trying to reach Chicago.”
“No talking.” The office patted her down with one hand while he held the gun in the other. “She’s clean.”
“Like I said, we’re not criminals. I’m a—”
The barrel of the gun pressed into her shoulder and Lainey fell silent. “No talking.” He leaned back and used the radio on his shoulder. “We’ve got an unauthorized van. Multiple occupants. Requesting backup.”
If he would only listen. She tried again. “I’m a reporter with KSBF in Los Angeles. Please—”
The officer grabbed her by the shoulder and twisted her around with enough force to pull her off balance. Lainey stumbled. “You talk again and I shoot you.”
She swallowed as the barrel of the gun loomed in her face. Listening wasn’t his strong suit, apparently.
“She’s telling the truth.” Keith spoke up from the passenger seat. “We’re reporters covering the attacks. You probably saw Lainey on KTLA.”
The officer pointed at Lainey. “Don’t move.” He sidestepped and leaned toward the open driver’s side door only to be greeted by the cold nose of Bear as he stuck his head out hoping to be petted. “Get your animal back!”
“He’s a golden retriever,” Lainey offered, trying to diffuse the situation.
The officer’s hand flew out and backhanded her across the face. Lainey gasped as pain radiated across her cheek.
“Don’t hit her.” Keith’s voice grew thick with tension. “She’s unarmed.”
There were three guns inside, enough for each man to have a chance. Lainey kept her eyes trained on the police officer. If he flew off the handle, would Keith and the others be able to save her in a fight?
The officer leaned back and called out to the police car still parked behind the van. “Officer Boucher, a little assistance here!”
After a moment, the officer who up until now had been content to sit behind the wheel, emerged. He was younger, with pale blond hair and a grin that made him look almost like a teenager. “What’s got you all wound up tonight, Carpenter?” As soon as he saw Lainey, he stopped. “Hey, isn’t that the reporter chick? The one who broke the story?”
He strode up to Lainey, squinting at her face. “Yeah, it is you!” He looked her up and down. “You look a little rough, but I’d recognize that face anywhere.” He stuck out his hand, ignoring the other officer. “Honor to meet you.”
Lainey swallowed, but didn’t move.
“Officer Boucher, step back.”
The younger officer slapped the older one on the shoulder. “Come on, Carpenter, this is the reporter. She’s probably here under direct orders from Napper.”
Officer Carpenter focused his eyes on her. “Is that true?”
Lainey didn’t know what to say, so she didn’t say anything. She had no idea who this Napper was and he definitely didn’t order her anywhere.
“Come on, let her go. We can radio up. See what the big guy wants to do.”
Nothing was making any sense. Why would some guy in charge of whatever this place was care about her? But she kept her lips firmly sealed. She wasn’t about to tell the man pointing the gun at her anything that might get her killed. She swallowed and waited.
After a moment, Officer Carpenter used his radio again. “We have a reporter here from Los Angeles. Name—” He stared pointedly in her direction.
“Lainey Sinclair,” she managed to stammer it out as he waited.
“Lainey Sinclair. She’s got a van and additional unidentified individuals inside. Requesting orders.”
The radio crackled. “Hold, please.”
Officer Carpenter kept the gun trained on Lainey, but Officer Boucher grinned like he’d just won the lottery. “How did you know about the bombs? I mean, if it weren’t for you, I’d be—” He made a motion like something exploded in his hands. “I was heading straight into LA when your piece was live broadcast on the radio. If I hadn’t turned around right then and headed home, I’d be toast.”
Lainey managed a tight smile, but until the other officer lowered the gun, she refused to speak. The radio crackled again.
“Confiscate weapons. Escort all individuals into the president’s reception room.”
Lainey blinked. The president? Was he in Las Vegas?
“All right.” Officer Carpenter backed up. “Everyone out, nice and slow. Leave all weapons inside the vehicle. Hands visible at all times.”
The rear doors opened and Jerry emerged first with his hands up. Owen came second, cradling the pound cat in one arm. The tabby mewled and squirmed, but Owen kept hold of him. Keith was the last to step down, favoring his leg and holding Bear by the leash. Officer Boucher corralled them on the sidewalk and patted each man down before ducking inside the van to search. He came out holding all three guns.
Lainey swallowed. They were now defenseless and at the mercy of these men. She tried to stay calm as Officer Carpenter took her by the arm and steered her toward the pedestrian crossing. They walked across and straight to the entrance of what appeared to be a high-end hotel. The signage had been removed from the wall and in its place was a hand-painted sign.
Temporary Headquarters
United States of Western America
Lainey blinked. What on Earth? The glass doors opened automatically and the officer led Lainey straight past what used to be reception and into a large hallway. Keith and the rest of the group trailed a few paces behind. A moment later, they were shoved into a room and told to wait.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Keith was by Lainey’s side, running a thumb down her cheek where the cop had struck her. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Did you see the sign?”
“United States of Western America?” He nodded.
“What does that mean?”
They didn’t wait long to find out. As soon as Lainey asked the question, the door opened and a man not much taller than her five-foot-five frame entered. He was flanked by two men in poorly fitting suits too small for their height and weight. Bodyguards? Secret service? They looked like extras from a bad mob film.
“Ms. Sinclair. What a pleasure.” The man held out his hand. “President Chester Napper of Western America. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The man calling himself president looked vaguely familiar, but Lainey couldn’t place him. Late middle age, with graying temples and a strong grip, he smiled a politician’s smile as he let her hand go. “What brings you to Las Vegas?”
“We’re trying to reach my mother in Chicago. She’s missing.”
He made a clucking sound like he sympathized. “Such a fabulous city. What a shame it won’t recover.” He turned to Keith and made the same introduction before meeting Jerry and Owen. His nose wrinkled at the sight of the cat. “This hotel has always accepted dogs, but cats—” He smiled. “I suppose we can make a one-time exception.”
“Excuse me, sir? Can I ask what’s g
oing on here?”
Napper turned back to Lainey. “Of course.” He motioned to the couch and chairs clustered around a coffee table. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. Wine, beer?”
Lainey shook her head as she sat down. “Just the facts would be great.”
He almost grinned. “I love that reporter spirit. It’s why when I heard you were here, I just had to meet the woman who saved so many lives.” He perched on the edge of a chair and his bodyguards stepped to stand behind him. “As you may have heard, the United States is in shambles. Washington, DC is gone. Wiped off the face of the map. Most of the major cities, too. Thankfully, Las Vegas was spared.”
He snapped his fingers and one of the men stepped away to a banquette, retrieving a bottle of water. The man drank a sip before continuing. “When I found out we were one of the few major cities with functioning electricity, I immediately began work determining who might still be alive to run the country.” He leaned forward like a confidant. “It turns out no one is left.”
Lainey already couldn’t stand the man with his artificial smiles and misplaced concern. When he leaned in, she could see the line of fake tan hovering just below the collar of his dress shirt. She nodded like she cared about what he had to say.
“Once we determined the extent of the loss, it became clear someone needed to step in and take charge.”
“And that someone is you?” Keith’s question cut to the heart of the matter.
Napper swallowed like he’d choked on a grape, but kept his gaze locked on Lainey. “I protested at first, but after much cajoling, I was convinced. After all, being the mayor of a city as complicated as Las Vegas does give me some insight into running a country.”
That’s it. Now Lainey remembered where she’d seen him. Napper had been accused of skimming off the top of development deals in Vegas and was in the middle of a fraud investigation spearheaded by the FBI. She’d watched the piece from a local Vegas reporter, a bit jealous at the quality of the reporting.
A man like that, someone willing to grift off the very citizens who’d elected him, didn’t invite reporters into his new stronghold out of the goodness of his heart. Lainey sat a bit straighter and plastered on her best on-camera smile. “President Napper, if you don’t mind my asking, why did you agree to see us?”
He lit up like a kid at Christmas. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Twelve
KEITH
City Center
Las Vegas, NV
Saturday 4:00 a.m. PST
Keith wanted nothing more than to punch Napper in the face. The man had creep written all over him. Keith shifted in the seat and Bear half-rose from the floor.
If only they still had their guns. He watched Napper fawn over Lainey, disgust growing inside him by the minute. She didn’t buy into his act, did she?
“Do you know they’re talking about that performance of yours all over the world?”
Lainey covered her collarbone with her hand. “That can’t possibly be true.”
“Oh, but it is.” Napper leaned closer.
Keith resisted the urge to mirror his movement. Lainey had interviewed countless difficult people over the years and uncovered secrets in the police department and other places. She could handle herself even if he didn’t like it. He only wished he knew for sure that she didn’t buy any of this man’s snake oil.
“You’re a hero to so many people.”
Here it comes. No one dropped a flattery bomb like that if they didn’t want something. Napper reached out and took Lainey’s hand. Her leg jumped, a tell that she found him as creepy as Keith did. Finally. Keith relaxed.
“I need you to do a piece for me.”
Lainey cleared her throat. “What kind of piece?”
Napper smiled wide. “An introduction. Tell everyone I’m the new guy in charge of everywhere west of the Rockies, tout my credentials.” He lowered his voice into a conversational whisper. “A little flattery never hurt anyone, am I right?”
“I’m not sure—”
Napper talked over Lainey’s hesitation. “Of course, you’d have to explain the fall of the national government, how everyone is dead and that we need to form new alliances if we want to survive.” He waved his free hand around as he spoke as if all those issues were minor trivialities.
“I don’t—”
“It’s important for a new regime to establish international recognition right away.” He still held her hand with his right hand, patting the top of it like she was a child who needed to obey. “We can’t have foreign militaries swooping in and trying to take over, now can we?”
Lainey glanced at Keith before gently pulling out of Napper’s grasp. “It seems like what you’re asking for is a PR piece. That’s not really my specialty.”
Napper smoothed down his tie. “Things change, Ms. Sinclair.”
Keith leaned forward. “She’ll do it.”
Lainey whipped her head in his direction, but he gave her a hold-on glance to keep her from exploding in anger. Just wait. He turned back to Napper with a smile. “This is just the sort of piece Lainey has been eager to accomplish, and as her production manager, I can assure you she’d love to.”
“Excellent.”
Keith kept talking. “But Ms. Sinclair can’t possibly do you justice until she’s had a good night’s sleep, composed herself, and had a chance to interview you.”
Napper lifted one eyebrow.
It took Lainey a moment to catch on, but at last, she turned back to Napper with a smile. “Mr. Harper is correct. I’ve been running on empty for days. First investigating the bomb, then escaping LA.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Have you seen our coverage of the fire?”
“I don’t believe I have.”
She leaned in, her features animated and alive. “It’s gone out to all major Canadian TV stations. Our allies to the north are broadcasting it right now.”
Napper’s eyes glittered. “That’s excellent news, Ms. Sinclair.”
“If you want maximum exposure, we should wait until the afternoon. Most news agencies need stories for their five and six o’clock broadcasts. If we do something now, we’ll be shuttled into the morning program.” She lowered her voice like she was telling a secret. “The stories that launch in the morning never have the same reach.”
The more Lainey talked, the more Napper bought it. They were almost there. Keith spoke again, trying to channel his best impression of KSBF management. “Ms. Sinclair also needs the equipment from her van. The cameras, satellite hookup, all the cabling and electronics.”
She nodded in agreement. “And my crew.” She turned to point each one out. Until then, Jerry and Owen had remained silent, each sitting ramrod straight in their chairs in an attempt to be ignored. “As Keith mentioned, he’s my production manager. Owen and Jerry are my video guys. They handle all of the filming, post-production, and edits to create the best piece possible.”
Lainey turned back to Napper. “But they are all exhausted. Mr. Harper sustained an injury while helping me cover the fire. It needs medical attention. Everyone else needs rest, food, and showers.” She glanced down at her clothes with an apologetic smile. “A change of clothes would probably be best, too. I should probably look my best if I’m introducing you to the world.”
Napper stood with a flourish. “Anything you need, you have it. We have access to the finest clothing, hotel rooms, and dining Las Vegas can offer. Thanks to our self-contained electrical grid here at the City Center, we are fully operational and fully staffed.”
Keith suspected as much. He wondered how many employees of the casino and hotel had been conscripted to work for Napper under threat of death. The men standing guard behind the self-declared President of Western America stepped forward.
“My men will escort you to your vehicle so you can obtain all of your gear and then see you to an available suite.” Napper held out his hand and Lainey shook it with a smile. “I look forward to working with you, Ms.
Sinclair.”
“Likewise.”
The group fell silent as the two guards escorted them out of the room, back down the hall, and to an elevator bank. They rode down to the parking deck where the van had been parked, and under the threat of the two armed guards and their guns, removed everything they could from the vehicle, before being escorted back upstairs and to a room at the end of an upper floor hall.
As the door shut behind them, Keith exhaled. They had actually done it. Managed to stay alive, collect their gear, and convince that idiot Napper that they would help him.
Lainey flicked on the light and walked into the space.
Owen dropped the cat onto the floor and followed, mouth agape. “This room is bigger than my place back home and I’ve got roommates.”
Keith hobbled in with Bear at his side. The dog’s nails clicked on the marble floor as Keith took in the mini-kitchen and dining room before stopping in front of the living room windows. What used to be a spectacular view of the glittering lights of Las Vegas now was nothing but a sea of darkness.
Lainey walked up to him and gave Bear a pat. “You had me going for a minute during that meeting.”
“So did you.” Keith turned to face her. “But you’re right. We need to sleep and regroup before we can come up with a plan.”
“And have your leg treated.”
Keith glanced down at his injured thigh and shrugged. “Duct tape seems to be doing the job.”
“Stitches and a bandage would be better.”
“Maybe.”
Jerry emerged from the hall. “They took the phones and the TVs.”
“Just confirms what we already knew.”
“We’re prisoners, not guests.” Lainey wrapped her arms around herself. “Without any weapons, how are we going to get out of here?”
A knock sounded on the door and Jerry walked over before peering through the peephole. He opened the door a moment later and a cart stacked with room service plates topped with metal covers was wheeled into the room by a man wearing a hotel uniform.
