Free Day of Doom by David Baldacci

she was.”
    “That’s not so, Ian. I wasn’t behind it. Someone else was. When I found out I took the steps necessary to see that my children were not hurt.”
    “When I called and told you Natalie
    had been taken, you said you didn’t have
    any   children.”
    “Because that’s how I felt back then, son. I felt abandoned. By you and your sister. You must forgive an unfortunate

    choice of words.”
    “So what’s changed, then?”
    She held up her damaged arm once
    more.   “This.   This   has changed. This
    makes   a   person   stop   and   think. Reprioritize. I’m not immortal, Ian. I’m nearly fifty, even though I barely look thirty. But I don’t have all that much time left. I want to make the most of it.”
    She drew a deep breath and focusedthose large, soft eyes on her son.
    “I want my family, what’s left of it,back, Ian. I want my children back. Withtheir mother, where they belong.”
    Ian was sniffling now. “How do Iknow I can trust you?”
    “How can anyone know that aboutanyone? But you   are   a Lucian. You can’tdeny that. You competed mightily against

    Amy and Dan and the others, and you didwell. Very well. It was your true nature. And being Lucians, our natural home iswith the Vespers. It’s how we’re wired. We’re not tree huggers. We’re not for thegreater good. We’re for the greater   us   . Butnow here you are, working   with   them. Andagainst your family. How can that be, son? You are going against everything youbelieve in. Indeed, I’m the one who shouldbe asking how I can trust   you .”
    Ian broke down crying. “I’m . . . I’msorry, Mother. I’m sorry.”
    “It’s all right, baby. Mother knows.” Her voice was silky smooth, comforting. “Don’t cry, my sweet boy. It will be allright. Mother will make it all right.”
    Ian wiped his eyes. “What do youwant me to do?”

    “You have to prove your loyalty to me, Ian. It is imperative in my final days on earth.”
    “How?”
    “It will not be easy. But the important
    things in life never are.”
    “What is it?”
    “I want you to kill one of the hostages. Not your sister, of course. But any of the others will do. If you execute that order, I will welcome you and your sister back into the family with open arms for the time I have left.”
    “Do I really have to?” he wailed. “I mean, kill someone?”
    “Yes, darling, you really do,” she cooed back. “But it won’t be that hard. Just think like a Lucian. It’ll come
    naturally. We’re very good at killing. It’s

    not actually that difficult. You just have to really want to.”
    “And if I don’t?”
    “The consequences will be severe, Ian. For you and your sister. I hope I’ve made myself clear. I love you both, but I’ve worked too hard to let my grand plan slip away.”
    “Can I ask a favor first?” said Ian
    timidly.
    Isabel’s face hardened but almost
    immediately   relaxed   once   more. “Certainly, sweetheart. Ask away.”
    “I’d like to see Natalie. I’ve really missed her.”
    “Of course, baby. Of course you can see her. You’re right. You’ve been separated for far too long. You’ll see her right now.”

    “Thanks, Mom.”
    She blew him a little kiss. “I’ll see
    you soon, darling.”
    On a cue from Isabel, Casper led Ian
    away.
    A figure came out of the shadows. It was Cheyenne. She looked at Isabel, who was still up on the screen.
    Cheyenne said, “I hope you’re not getting weak.”
    “Meaning what precisely?” snapped Isabel.
    “You told Ian not to kill his sister.”
    “Oh, that?” Isabel laughed. “That was rather selfish on my part.”
    “Yeah,  I  get  that.   She’s  your daughter.”
    Isabel’s features turned ice-cold. “I
    have no daughter. I didn’t want Ian to kill

    her because if he fails to do what I have instructed, I want the pleasure of killing them   both   . Personally. Now why don’t you go do