Midnight Jewels

overwhelmed. But if you get impatient to get it over with more quickly, feel free to open the vault door and step outside."
    "Where you or Isobel can put bullets in our brains?" Croft asked.
    Gladstone chuckled, that rich, charming, charismatic laugh that never failed to captivate. "I've told you, Falconer, no bullets. No, I'm going to use the method you demonstrated so ably three years ago. See how much you enjoy being caught in the middle of a firestorm. It is a rare thrill, believe me. A man who has apparently made a career of living on the edge, as you have, might find it an interesting way to conclude that career."
    "You're going to set fire to this place just to get rid of us?" Croft demanded. "Seems a little extreme."
    "Not really. Not when you consider the implications. Last time you were working for someone, Falconer. You would have had no reason to come after me otherwise. You are, in effect, a mercenary. I have no option but to assume you are again working for someone. The government, perhaps. This is undoubtedly just another assignment for you. Getting rid of you will not get rid of whoever sent you. I must assume and plan for the worst possible case. I have done so. I must destroy everything once more in order to convince whoever sent you that the trail has once again come to a dead end. While we waited for your arrival tonight, Isobel and I packed some of my more valuable treasures. And I still have my bank account in Switzerland, of course. My labs around the world are still functioning and will go into a holding pattern until I contact them once more in a new guise. This time I am prepared for catastrophe, Falconer. I learned that from you."
    Then there was silence. Croft watched the intercom closely for a minute as if he could detect Gladstone's presence or lack of it outside the vault. A few shuffling movements and a scratching noise came through the grill. Then there was a dull thud. After that there was more silence.
    "I think he's gone," Croft said, moving away from the wall.
    "What did he mean about the firestorm?" Mercy stopped her pacing and walked over to the movable shelf.
    "He's probably got some system rigged up to totally destroy this place. He won't want to leave any evidence at all this time around."
    "What was that awful thud we just heard?" Mercy asked anxiously.
    A muffled explosion outside the vault prevented further inquiries. She spun around, staring at the solidly shut door. There was a second, smaller explosion seconds later. Then silence. "Croft, let's see if that shelving really is an exit. Now. Please."
    He nodded and set his hand to the section of shelving.
    Mercy glanced once mote at the vault door. "Croft?"
    "Hmm?" He was working quickly now.
    "I think I just realized what that thud might have been."
    "I was afraid of that," Croft muttered.
    "It was Isobel, wasn't it?"
    "Tell yourself it was just Graves being clumsy," Croft advised.
    "We've got to see if she's out there,!" Mercy said urgently.
    "Are you nuts? It sounds like World War in is starting out there."
    "But, Croft—"
    "Oh, hell. And here I was thinking we were on a roll." But Croft had risen and was already unbolting the vault. "Nothing's gone right in this operation so far, why should it get any better now?" Cautiously he pushed open the vault door. "One quick look and that's all."
    A blast of heat and long banners of smoke were waiting on the other side of the vault. Hie tropical garden was a wall of flame. Mercy stared out through the narrow crack in the doorway.
    "My God," she whispered in awe.
    "Gladstone is a thorough man." Croft started to. pull the heavy door shut again.
    "Wait," Mercy yelped. "There she is on the floor. It's Isobel. I can see her."
    Croft followed Mercy's gaze. "He said she hadn't proven especially useful. I'm inclined to agree."
    "Wait, she might still be alive. We've got to check. It will only take a second. She's lying right outside the door." Mercy was trying to push past him.
    "Mercy, we don't have time for doing Isobel any favors. She's probably dead."
    "He wouldn't have shot her. He said no bullets, remember? He probably just knocked her out or something. The thud we heard was her body falling. Open the door." Mercy shoved hard against the steel panel.
    Croft hesitated briefly and then swore and opened the door a few inches. The heat was getting intense but Mercy knew it was the smoke that was most dangerous at this stage. She held the hem of her shirt over her nose and took one