Free Michael Vey 3 ~ Battle of the Ampere by Richard Paul Evans Page B

dealers who bought your car?”
    “Yes. I mean, no. The passport people.”
    “The passport people?”
    “Why do you keep repeating everything I say?”
    “I just want to be sure that I am understanding you. The passport people took your passport. You mean the passport agents at the border.”
    “If that’s what you call them.”
    He nodded. “They don’t usually keep them.”
    “They kept ours.”
    “Did you cross the Panama Canal by ferry, or did you just drive around it?”
    Taylor squinted. “We drove around it.” Then added, “It was faster.”
    He nodded. “I’m sure it was.” He looked at her for a moment, then stood. “Okay, Taylor Swift. Thank you for your cooperation. One last question.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Do you plan on holding a concert while you’re in Peru?”
    Taylor blushed.
    “But if you drove from the U.S. to Peru in one week, you should be a race-car driver instead of a famous singer, because it would take at least three weeks if you never stopped. But what is most impressive is that you drove around the Panama Canal. I’ve heard of people walking on water, but driving on water is even more miraculous.”
    He leaned forward. “I’m disappointed in you, Taylor Ridley from Meridian, Idaho. Aside from your first name, I don’t believe you’ve told me a single truth since we began. I don’t think you have any idea how much trouble you’re in. You’ve cost this country millions and millions of dollars.”
    “Bill me,” Taylor said.
    The man grinned. “They just might, you know. The cost will be your life.” He leaned forward. “You don’t really understand how serious this is, do you? You and your friends have been branded terrorists. The punishment for terrorism in this country is execution.”
    Taylor’s eyes began to well up. But still she didn’t speak.
    “All right, then,” he said, turning toward the door. “We’ll see how you do with the Elgen interrogators.” He turned to go.
    “Wait,” Taylor said. “I’m sorry.”
    He stopped and looked back. “You’re sorry?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “And what am I supposed to do with that?”
    “I’ll tell you the truth.”
    He looked at her for a moment, then said, “Will you?”
    She exhaled slowly. “I’ll tell you what I can. I promise.”
    “We’ll see what good your promise is.”
    “What I told you about my friend’s mother was true. That’s why we came.”
    “Which friend?”
    Taylor swallowed. “Someone you don’t know. Look, you need to know something. You’ve got the wrong guys.”
    “You’re telling me that you didn’t blow up the power plant?”
    “I’m telling you that the Elgen are the bad guys. They’re not here to help your country. They’re here to take it over. Once they control all your electricity, they will control your country. We did you a favor.” Taylor looked into his eyes. “I’m telling you the truth. We didn’t come to blow up an electricity plant. We’re a bunch of teenagers. At home I’m a cheerleader. We only came to Peru because they kidnapped my boyfriend’s mother.”
    “Who kidnapped your boyfriend’s mother?”
    “The Elgen.”
    He just looked at her. “And why would they do that?”
    “Because they were trying to catch us.”
    “Then you shouldn’t have come.”
    “I know. But it was his mother.”
    He nodded. “So, did you find her?”
    “Yes.”
    He looked at her skeptically. “And where is your boyfriend’s mother now?”
    “She got away.”
    “With your boyfriend?”
    “Yes.”
    “What is your boyfriend’s name?”
    She hesitated. Finally she said, “Michael.”
    “Michael what?”
    “Michael Vey.”
    He stared at her for a moment. “I’m supposed to believe this?”
    “Believe what you want to believe,” Taylor said. “But why would a bunch of high school kids come to Peru to blow up an electricity plant?”
    He crossed his arms. “That’s what I’m trying to find out. But you haven’t told me anything that makes