Chapter 15
Eleanor raised her suppressed pistol, aiming it directly at Thomas's heart without a second hesitation.
"Drop your weapon, General, or watch your daughter die in the dark," Eleanor commanded, her finger tightening on the trigger.
Thomas's fingers loosened around the grip of his sidearm, the heavy steel weapon sliding down to clatter against the hardwood floor.
"That's a good soldier," Eleanor mocked, stepping closer with her weapon still raised.
"Now, walk over to the study desk and transfer the Zurich encryption keys to my satellite drive."
Thomas turned slowly toward the study door, his mind racing at maximum tactical speed to calculate a counter-move.
He knew he only had one chance to save Clara before the paralytic gas reached lethal concentration inside the alcove.
As he reached the doorway of the study, he pretended to stumble against the doorframe, kicking his foot back with brutal force.
His combat boot struck Eleanor's wrist with a sharp crack, sending her suppressed pistol flying across the hallway.
Eleanor screamed in agony, clutching her broken wrist as Thomas spun around and tackled her to the floor.
He pinned her beneath his knees, pressing his forearm against her throat until her eyes rolled back in submission.
"Where is the override code for the panic room?!" Thomas roared, pressing his knee into her chest.
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Eleanor choked for air, her face turning purple as she gasped out the four-digit sequence.
"Four... seven... nine... zero..." Eleanor sputtered weakly before losing consciousness entirely.
