Chapter 28 - The Oxygen Clock**
The low hum of the ventilation system suddenly stopped, replaced by the ominous sound of a heavy air valve closing tight.
"The air supply in that vault will last approximately forty-five minutes, Ethan," Samantha's voice announced over the speaker.
"If you throw the leather briefcase through the narrow maintenance chute, I might consider turning the air back on."
Ethan looked at the small, twelve-inch iron maintenance chute near the ceiling of the vault chamber.
"Don't give it to her, Ethan!" Jenkins warned, raising her service weapon toward the chute opening. "That dossier is the only thing keeping us alive!"
Ethan looked down at Maya, who was breathing in quick, shallow gasps as panic began to take hold of her small frame.
He knew that if he surrendered the dossier, Samantha would eliminate them immediately to cover her tracks.
"Maya, listen to me," Ethan whispered softly, kneeling down to look into his daughter's tear-filled eyes.
"Do you remember the small flashlight tool Daddy put in your sweater pocket before we left Maine?"
May you like
Maya nodded slowly, her small hand reaching into her red knit sweater to pull out a small multi-tool pocket knife.
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