The Genesis Plague (2010)

guarantee your safety. I don’t want to be responsible for—’
    ‘Tommy, if you have a waiver form, I’ll sign it,’ Brooke said. ‘Otherwise, let it go. You need me and you know it. And your boss seems to be okay with it too.’
    Lillian had indeed given him the green light to bring Brooke along. Logically, it made sense, since Brooke was the only person who’d actually met the conspirators face to face, and her visual confirmation could certainly expedite matters. ‘With the high stakes involved, we need to be certain about this, Tommy. Any slip-ups could cost us dearly,’ Lillian had said.
    ‘Are you always this stubborn?’
    Brooke thought about it for a moment. ‘Pretty much.’ She leaned to the middle, looked forward out the windshield. ‘Could this tunnel be any longer?’ she pleaded, squeezing Flaherty’s hand even tighter.
    Flaherty chuckled.
    They sat there holding hands for a few seconds until Flaherty asked, ‘You ever been to Vegas?’
    ‘Once … two years ago. The Archaeological Institute of America had its convention at Caesar’s Palace. Hard to forget, because they didn’t realize that there was a swingers’ convention going on in the adjacent ballroom.’
    ‘So you got to kill two birds with one stone?’
    ‘Very funny,’ she said, scrunching her face. ‘I’m not that kind of girl. How about you? Are you a Las Vegas guy? “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, and all that?’
    ‘Nah,’ he said, with no elaboration, and shifted his eyes to the floor.
    She gave him an incredulous look. ‘I’m not buying it. Remember, I’ve seen the way you drive. You’re a guy who likes to take chances.’
    He sighed. ‘Not to be a downer, but my dad’s a wicked gambler. When I was a kid, he lost a year’s salary in one night at a poker table. Caused a lot of heartache for my ma. Didn’t stop with him, either. My oldest brother Jimmy lives by the ponies. And Chris, the middle child … he’d wager the weather if he could. Seems the Flahertys are genetically predisposed to bad bets. Seen enough to know that I shouldn’t even buy a lottery ticket.’
    ‘Then you should be happy I’m coming with you,’ she replied delicately. ‘I’ll keep you away from the casinos.’
    He smiled. ‘I doubt there’ll be any slot machines where we’re going.’
    Up ahead Brooke spotted an emerging circle of dull daylight at the end of the tunnel. She relinquished her grip on Tommy and pulled her hand back. Their destination returned to the forefront of her thoughts. ‘What kind of evangelical preacher builds a humongous church in Las Vegas, anyway?’
    Flaherty shrugged. ‘Actually, it’s a pretty smart idea. In Sin City there are plenty of misguided sheep to herd.’
    ‘I still can’t believe a preacher is involved in all this. It’s so absurd.’
    ‘Don’t let the righteous-holy-man stuff fool you. From what my office dug up on this guy Stokes, he’s in deep. Lillian told me Stokes is under investigation for untraceable offshore funds running through his not-for-profit corporations. He’s got some powerful, highly influential friends too. You ever see him on television?’
    She shook her head.
    Flaherty took out the folder Lillian had prepared for him, flipped to a picture of Stokes.
    ‘Recognize him?’
    Studying the photo, she couldn’t quite place the handsome face. He looked like he belonged on a daytime soap opera. ‘Don’t think so.’
    ‘He’s got this weekly show that’s huge in the south. He’s got a band, celebrity guests, the works. Big production with big aspirations. Not so big here in the northeast, though.’
    ‘Too many liberal thinkers,’ Brooke said.
    ‘I suppose. Around here, Pastor Stokes broadcasts on some obscure Christian cable channel. I forget the station. Anyway, he’s managed to build quite a following. With everything going on in the world these days, people are looking for answers. And his message seems to resonate.’
    ‘Exactly what is his message?’
    Tommy shrugged. ‘I’ve only seen his show once. From what I remember, he’s pretty positive. Focuses on finding inner peace, Jesus as a personal saviour … Mixes in some apocalyptic material to keep folks honest. Really animated guy … super charismatic, smooth talker. Could charm the stripes off a zebra. Like a New Age version of Billy Graham. He’s got a good line of patter.’
    ‘Sounds to me like you’re a fan.’
    ‘Nah. I just find it fascinating.’
    The Yukon emerged