Chapter 20 #2
“What’s it matter now?” Marta said. “You stole all the data and samples of the virus from Vasquez. Did you know he was developing it to deploy here? Now that he has, you’re going to die of the very virus you wanted me to build for you to use to decrease the population of the world.
You wanted to play God. How does it feel when someone else beats you to it?
When someone else decides who will live and who will die? ”
Teuling’s face blanched, and his gaze shot to Vasquez, where Crusher held him from lunging toward Marta. “Is this true?”
Vasquez glared at Teuling. “So what if it is? We’re all going to die. The doctor can’t have enough antiviral in that small briefcase for everyone in this room.”
Teuling’s eyes rounded, and his attention returned to Marta. He took one step toward her. “Give me the antiviral. It should be mine. I’m the only one who can save the world from the plague of overpopulation. The only one who can save the human race.” Teuling lunged for Marta.
Crusher shoved Vasquez aside and leaped between Teuling and Marta.
Hammer blocked Teuling’s bodyguards.
Teuling struggled to free himself from Crusher’s grip. “I’ll pay you for the antiviral. How much? One million? Two million?”
“I’ll pay more,” Vasquez said. “Name your price.”
Teuling glared at Vasquez. “We would not be in a bidding war over an antiviral had you not brought it to this Summit.”
People rose from their seats and moved toward the doors.
Interpreters scrambled to inform their non-English-speaking delegates of what was happening, triggering a second surge toward the exits.
“No one can leave,” Marta called out. “People infected with the virus can’t leave this room until experts in personal protective equipment process us for evacuation to a specialized quarantine location. You might as well take your seats until the authorities are notified and we know more.”
The delegates sank back into their seats, murmuring to each other, their eyes round and frightened.
“You fool!” Teuling yelled at Vasquez. “You’ve sentenced us all to death.”
People in the crowd cried out and started to rise.
Vasquez snorted. “And your plan was better?”
Teuling’s eyes narrowed. “My plan did not involve killing top-level decision-makers.”
“Please, everyone, remain calm. Stay in your seats.” Hammer nodded toward the two men who’d entered the room with him. They moved forward.
One of the men hooked Teuling’s arm and stated in English, with a German accent, “Pieter Teuling, you are under arrest.”
Teuling shook off the man’s grip. “I am not an Austrian citizen. You have no authority over me.”
The man facing Teuling said, “I am with Interpol, and you have admitted to international crimes and murder. I have the authority to arrest you. You can come with me quietly, or I can take you by force.”
Teuling laughed. “Come with you? You heard the doctor. None of us is going anywhere. We’ve been infected with a highly contagious virus. That includes you.”
The other Interpol agent took Vasquez’s arm and started to snap handcuffs on one of his wrists. “Mario Vasquez, you’re under arrest.”
“For what?” Vasquez demanded. “I’ve done nothing.”
“You just admitted to spreading a deadly virus in this room full of people. At this point, it would be considered attempted murder. If the virus has your intended effect, that charge would change to murder.”
Vasquez lunged forward, breaking free of the agent’s grip.
Before anyone could stop him, he grabbed Marta and pressed a knife to her throat. “I will have the antiviral, woman.” He spun her toward Hammer and Crusher, using her as a shield as he slowly backed away. “If anyone tries to stop me, I will kill the doctor.”
Crusher’s heart pounded against his chest, and his hands clenched into fists. He shouldn’t have let go of Vasquez. Now the crazed cartel kingpin had Marta.
“Give me the antiviral.” Vasquez held the knife to her throat. “Now!”
Marta raised her hand, the one holding the briefcase. “Take it,” she said.
When he reached for the case, she smashed it hard against the ground. The case sprang open, and the container inside bounced across the floor, breaking apart and spilling the vial of antiviral. It rolled toward Marta.
When Vasquez bent to retrieve it, the knife at Marta’s throat eased away.
Marta shifted and crushed the vial beneath her foot. The liquid within spilled and leaked out.
Vasquez stared at the puddle, eyes wide. “What have you done?” He dropped to his knees beside the ruined vial. “Madre de Dios. What have you done?”
Marta stepped away from the cartel leader. “Like you said, there wasn’t enough antiviral for everyone in this room. We’ll all die together.”
The Interpol agent moved up behind Vasquez and cuffed his wrists behind his back.
Marta stepped into Crusher’s arms and leaned her cheek against his chest. “Did they catch Krauss before he released the virus?”
Crusher’s heart thundered against his ribs. “I don’t know. We haven’t heard.”
Hammer joined them, his gaze on the exit doors, his stance tense. He touched a finger to the headset in his ears. “SITREP, stat!”
“Krauss got past me,” Ramsey said into their headsets. “I started after him. He slipped through a door. When I got to it, I found it locked. It was metal. I couldn’t break through.”
“Anyone else?” Hammer demanded.
For a long moment, Crusher heard nothing in his headset. His arms tightened around Marta. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered into her hair, praying he was right.
“How can it be okay?” She lowered her voice to where only Crusher could hear. “If he has the virus, he could’ve found another way to release it into the ventilation system.”
“I’m looking at the bright side,” he said and tipped her chin up. “At least I got another chance to be with you.”
“If we live and this is all over, then what?” She stared up into his eyes, tears welling in hers. “Asset delivered?”