Free Day of Doom by David Baldacci Page B

Hope Cahill had spent much of their life together on the run from their enemies, namely the Vespers, who felt betrayed by Dan’s father.
    That was one version of the facts. But Dan could not get over the suspicion that he was being played. That his father was actually evil and working with the Vespers.
    Dan looked down at the text again.
    Have the serum ready, son. It may be the only thing that would allow us to be victorious.
    Dan had spent a lot of time and effortcollecting   the   strange   ingredientsnecessary to make the formula. He glancedat his knapsack. And in there, hidden inthe depths of his other stuff, was the silver

    flask with the completed serum.
    He surreptitiously thumbed a text back to his father.
    Stop texting me. If you are alive, then you left Mom to die. If you did that, I hate you.
    The   response   came   back
    immediately.   I tried to save your mother. I was badly burned in the fire. I’ve had to go into hiding to avoid capture by the Vespers. I am working against them and with you, son. I wish I could prove it to you, but I can’t. I don’t blame you for being suspicious. Your mother and I taught you to be independent and look out for danger because we wanted you to be prepared. But I want you to know that whatever happens, I love you and your sister. And I will do anything I can to

    help you. I hope one day we can all be
    reunited.
    As Dan read this text his heart grewheavy and his eyes misty.
    He debated for a long time beforeanswering this text.
    It’s ready. I will not fail. Dan.
    Part of him had wanted to write,   Ilove you.   But he couldn’t bring himself todo it. He shook his head. Life just shouldnot be this complicated.
    The reply text came back almostimmediately.
    Good job, Dan. I love you. And Ihope to see you and your sister soon. Dad.
    Dan texted back,   Okay, but if you’rea Vesper, you’re going down, too!!!
    Dan  put  his  phone  down  and

    continued to stare out the window. It was very dark now. And the train slowed to twist and work its way around some hills like a snake over an obstacle course. They entered a tunnel and things became darker still.
    Amy looked at him. “I say we have apowwow to discuss what we’re going todo to kick the Vespers’ butts.”
    “Sounds good to me,” said Dan,avoiding the urge to glance at hisknapsack, where the serum was located.
    Amy picked up her phone and sent atext. A minute later there was a knock on
    their compartment door. She opened it, and Jake and Atticus came in and sat
    down.
    Atticus said, “The weird happenings
    around the planet are getting worse. All

    planes are still grounded. The militaries around the world are also having to coordinate to make sure that no computerguided warships or nuclear missiles go astray.”
    “Go astray!” exclaimed Amy. “A nuke going astray?”
    Atticus looked at her. “Well, they’re all computer-controlled systems these days. And computers are particularly sensitive to changes in magnetic fields and the   overall   polarity   of  the   Earth. Accidental launches could happen.”
    “Well, let’s hope they don’t,” said Jake. “We have our hands full as it is.”
    Amy gave him a warm smile at this comment and Jake looked back at her all goofy-eyed.
    Dan saw this exchange and wrinkled

    his nose. Really, their timing sucked, he thought. He said, “Okay, we’re here to come up with a plan for when we get to the West Coast. All we need to do is hook up with the others, find the hostages before   they’re   killed,   locate   the Doomsday device, destroy it, and capture Vesper One and all his team. Any thoughts? Anybody? Come on. How hard can it be?”
    Amy said, “Your sarcasm is duly noted, Dan. But seriously, we have to have a plan.” She looked at Jake.
    He so desperately wanted to please her, Dan thought, that Jake might just put on a cape and try and fly off the train carrying Amy