Chapter 9 5
Julia was in the car, parked in the driveway of the colonial-style town of Pond Hills.Like many Barry Hill residents, she rushed to the scene to help as soon as she heard about the crash, but when her eyes fell on the wreckage of Flight 502, she immediately realized that this plane was the one she was supposed to be on, and she endured it. She couldn't help but think of the faces of the passengers sitting around her, and she almost met their fate.
So, instead of going to the scene to help, she approached a retired doctor who was temporarily transferred to assist in the emergency.She had stopped in front of the doctor's house an hour and a half ago to get gas in Bedford, waiting for him to pack up.
As she sat alone in the car, her heart was turbulent, and she felt the shock of having survived.Moreover, she was not the only one who escaped death, Julia rubbed her stomach and knew that two lives were saved today.
Ironically, she flew to Boston to see a doctor, not a meeting, as she said.She and Nick had lived in Winthrop, Massachusetts, a year after their marriage, and his company had transferred him there, and she had moved there with her, and found a job at a small firm in Boston.A colleague at the time recommended Dr. Kofer to her. Not only did he have an impeccable reputation, but he was also very gentle and humorous.
She has never changed doctors since she moved to Barry Hill. Instead, she takes advantage of her business trips to go for annual physical examinations.
She had called him a week earlier to tell the doctor her suspicions; so he arranged for a local doctor to do a pregnancy test, which confirmed she was six weeks pregnant.This filled her with unprecedented joy.She wanted to rush to tell Nick right away, but then wanted to make it a little more special.So she was going to fly to Dr. Kofer first, get a prenatal checkup, have a framed picture of the baby's earliest ultrasound, and surprise him with a romantic dinner at Kemaler's.It was in that restaurant that he proposed to her, the beginning of their life union, and a place of great significance, where she wanted to tell him the happy surprise news in the same solemn way.Their morning quarrel put Nick in a bad mood, but there was no dinner at all, and eating with the Morales family was just her strategy. She wanted Nick to sink into a low point, and then greeted the most meaningful relationship of their sixteen years. moment.
Although they have plans to have a baby, she wants to conceive again next year.Their lives have a clear plan: first develop their careers, prepare savings, and easily raise children.She hadn't thought about getting pregnant at all before.But she realizes now that the two of them spend so much time planning and trying to achieve a certain amount of success before having a baby that the actual talk of conceiving and having a baby feels a little foreign to them.
The news of the pregnancy came as a surprise to her, and she knew Nick would be shocked.
She has been concentrating on her career as a lawyer and hopes to become a shareholder of the company one day.But it also cost her many friends who, as mothers, had long since left behind the desire to advance their careers.But after news of her pregnancy was confirmed, the focus of her life changed dramatically.She knew it wasn't hormones, it wasn't a faux pas because she was about to stop working, it was all because of love.
She and Nick have been together for a long time. They live a wealthy life, bought their dream home, decorated and expanded it as they wished, often travel and enjoy life together.However, there is always a sense of emptiness in the hearts of the two of them, especially during the holidays, the feeling is even more clear.She longs for the days of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Halloween candy in her life again.
Julia thought of the crash, of the people who had died, and of the kind old lady sitting next to her, and tears welled up in her eyes.The reason why she got off the plane was because she received a text message automatically sent by the computer, informing her that someone had broken into Shams.Hannickle's Washington mansion, the text message saved her another day, but not just one life was saved, now, two lives were saved from the gate of hell.
She took it as a sign that the child was destined to be born, and it was nothing short of a miracle.
She thought the robbery might be a false alarm, and felt a little angry.As soon as she got off the plane, she jumped into her car and drove directly to the Washington mansion.She went around the house and checked all the doors and windows, and found that they were all locked.
But once inside she knew something was wrong.Less than thirty seconds after she entered the door, the room suddenly shook.The china in the cupboards clashed and the glasses on the bar jingled, as if an earthquake had struck the area.Since the stratum deep in New York State is made of granite, the probability of an earthquake is as slim as a snowball fight in Bermuda; the lights in the house flicker and then go out after a while; the emergency lights come on quickly, illuminating the stairs and entrances and exits; The computer backup battery beeps intermittently, indicating that the power has been cut off at this time, and the archive operation procedure before shutdown is in progress.
She checked her watch: eleven fifty-four.She should have been on the flight to Boston at this point, not walking around the house with the power out.Now it should just be a few shakes in the deep underground of the county.
She went to the kitchen, swiped her pass on the card reader, the security system had twenty-four backup batteries, and opened the heavy door to the basement, the harsh emergency lighting halogen lamps guiding her down the stairs, the light from which was slightly Destroying the luxury of the iris wallpaper that Hannik had shipped from Paris.She entered her Social Security number on the keypad, swiped it three times on the Magna card machine, and then took out the octagonal key, with the letter D facing up, and inserted it into the door of the stainless steel vault.
She turned hard, and when she opened the door, there was darkness in front of her eyes.Julia held a chair against the door to let the light in from the landing.
Her gaze immediately fell on the cut glass display case in the center, and the red round lid box that shouldn't be on the wall, and a surge of anger suddenly rose in her heart, as if she had been robbed.She walked into the open door and poked her head in to check.The emergency lights in the moisture-proof storage room were on, and it looked like none of the boxes had been touched.She walked back to the main hall, passed the light from the staircase, opened the door of Shams' office, and walked to the secret door hidden in the wall. The secret door was pried open, and she pushed it in.
The room was almost completely dark, with dim light coming in from other rooms, but not enough light to see clearly.
She knew there were only two things in the room right in the middle.She cautiously took two steps forward, slowly adjusted her eyesight, and walked towards the safe.She touched the first one first and found it closed, but she didn't investigate the second one further because she knew it just by seeing the door open.
At that moment, she suddenly became frightened.
She came down here as soon as she entered the house to verify that it had been stolen, running around in the dark, anger clouding her perception of danger, it was just stupid!It's just risking your life!Julia wasn't claustrophobic, but now she felt the darkness around her closing in on her, oppressing her.She didn't know if there were other people here, if someone was hiding behind the door, she felt like there was a trapped beast here, ready to rush out to kill her and escape.
But today should not be her death day.
She left the basement and went up the stairs, took out the octagonal key, and opened the computer room hidden behind the false wall of the storage room.As soon as she entered the door, she immediately saw the destroyed computer server, the hard drive was missing and had been pulled out.The robbers knew exactly what they were doing and how to obliterate the evidence.
Julia is thankful that there are backups in the office, not only on her own computer, but also on the company's server host.Whoever committed this heist would never have thought to go there to find a safe backup file.
After emerging from the computer room, Julia returned to the storage room, much less frightened.The robber had obviously left. There must be an internal response to this case. The whole process took only a few minutes, but the robber left without leaving any evidence.
She grabbed a flashlight from a shelf in the pantry, went to her car for a digital camera, and went back to the basement.She documented the missing items in detail, snapping photos of vandalized display cases and broken-down safes.The thieves had such a clear goal that nothing in the storage room was touched, even though the paintings in those crates were worth tens of millions.These thieves only focused on the weapon and the safe.
Several times a year Julia takes stock of all of Shams' fine art, antiques, and gems, but she doesn't have an inventory of what's in the safe.Aside from knowing how many bags of diamonds he kept inside, the contents of the two safes remained a mystery.
She called Shams as soon as she got upstairs.Hannickle was at his summer house in Massachusetts, telling him the bad news.She dialed the number without hesitation, because she knew bad news could not be delayed.
But his assistant, Thalia, said that Shams was not free right now, and he was busy with urgent matters at home. Julia asked Shams to call her back as soon as possible, saying that something happened in Washington.Julia obeyed Shams' instructions and only had to be notified of the incident.Shams doesn't want the police involved until he knows the news and decides what to do about it.It was his personal decision, and she would respect his opinion as she had for the past three years.
Shams was ill for a few weeks, but he had more energy for a ninety-two-year-old patient than she did for a thirty-one-year-old.Two weeks ago, they talked about lending Monet paintings to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, but their conversations kept coming back to family and everyday life.She respects Shams' achievements very much, and also trusts his opinions and advice. In addition to official dealings, she often confides her thoughts to Shams and wants to know his views and opinions on certain things.
Although Shams has no children of his own, he talks about what really matters in life.He feels that having the love of his family is the real key to success and happiness.As eager as Julia was to tell Nick about herself, she also wanted to tell Shams that she knew he must be genuinely happy for her.Julia's parents were very old when she was born, and died a few years ago.Shams.In some strange way, Hannickle filled the gap in her heart, acting as a surrogate grandfather who always sincerely praised her achievements, shared each other's wisdom, and often guided her with a warm smile and joyful tone.
She is often moved by this selfless, warm-hearted and noble elder.He was the kind of noble gentleman that words cannot describe.He cherished handwriting so much that he would write to her himself in perfect old-fashioned handwriting, rather than using the emotionless e-mail.
The thought of telling him about the robbery, about the theft of his family's treasures for generations, was really embarrassing for her.She knew he was likely to say: Don't worry, my dear, a few pieces of metal and stone and canvas are not the treasure of my life.But she was curious, wondering if he would be bothered by the theft, if the things that weren't listed in the inventory were important to him.
Julia was about to leave the house when her PDA rang with an email from the office.Surprisingly, the e-mail sent the Hannickle family's preserved files.It was only then that she remembered that the standard procedure set by the computer was to transfer data to her PDA when there was a power outage.Apparently her office was out as well as the area.
As soon as she pulled out of the driveway, she saw many police cars and fire trucks speeding by.The traffic signal went out, and everyone ran to the street, looking south.She turned her head and saw a huge black smoke rising in the distance.
Julia sat in her car, parked fifteen miles north of the crash site, and could still see the fading black smoke on the southern horizon.She looked at the clock on the dashboard. It was just after two o'clock, and she hadn't spoken to Nick today.She picked up her mobile phone and wanted to call him again, when the old doctor just opened the door and sat in the passenger seat.
Thank you for coming to pick me up.The old doctor fastened his seat belt while talking.I'm Dr. O'Reilly.
I'm Julia.Quinn.Julia held out her hand.
Julia watched the old man closely as they shook hands.Though his hair was all white, his eyebrows were as black as night, and he looked old and strong.She tilted her head curiously and asked: Have we met before?
should not.O'Reilly shook his head.Unless you had dealings with the inspection office more than five years ago.So sad that today this tragedy put an end to my retirement.
The doctor stared out of the window, no longer talking, lost in thought, thinking of the horrific scene he was about to face.
Julia didn't say any more, and immediately started the Lexus and drove out of the driveway, heading towards Bai Ruiqiu.
Nick sat on the leather chair in front of the desk in the study, his whole body was soaked, he was panting desperately, his heart was beating wildly, and he lost his sense of direction for a while.He thought he was dead when he passed out at the bottom of the lake, and his last thought was that he had let Julia down.
After he calmed down, he saw the wallet in his hand.This Gucci black calfskin wallet he got in dead man's pocket at the bottom of the Kesque Reservoir.He opened it and found it was full of hundred-dollar bills, and a black Amex card and a gold card, but he skipped that and looked for his driver's license first, which was what he was most looking for.
But knowing the identity of the deceased did not make him any happier, but made him more suspicious than he had been an hour ago.He read the driver's license again: 10 Morion Avenue, Hayward, Pennsylvania.Born on May 28, 1952.Five feet ten inches tall.Paul.Drovers, the owner of the security company that installed the security system for the Hannickles, is now drowned, lying dead at the bottom of the lake in the Kesque Reservoir.
Nick rushed to the second floor to take off his wet clothes, quickly changed into jeans and a white shirt, took out a black coat from the closet, and emptied the wet pants and wet coat pockets.He found the letter written by Marcus to himself and the letter given to him by the gray-haired man in the interrogation room. The ink on the envelope was only slightly smudged. He picked up the pocket watch and opened the cover.This pocket watch is waterproof, and water seems to have no effect. The second hand has just passed twelve, showing 2:05.But his phone had short-circuited after it got in the water, and he was actually kind of glad it was destroyed, so that the picture of Julia's death would be wiped from the world.He pocketed the wallet, the keys, the St. Christopher's medal, Travers's wallet, and the two letters.
Nick ran upstairs to the study, opened the safe, and grinned when he saw the pistol and magazines still inside.It wasn't magic, the pistol didn't come here from Dance's car.Since it was 2:05, it hadn't even left the safe.
Nick picked up the pistol and a couple of magazines and tucked them in his belt, tucking them behind his back.He removes the stack of papers from the desk and finds his phone still there intact and ready to use, he smiles a bit, but the good mood soon wears off and he starts to get angry with himself instead.He had just nearly died, and Julia would follow.He was too stupid, arrogant and ignorant, thinking that he could easily save Julia by going back to the past.
He did not use information gained in the future to change the past at all.It's a race, and he's a lousy competitor who just runs around and counts on the help of random strangers he comes across.He must change, and change at once.Time is running out and his chances of saving Julia are running out.
He stuffed the wallet he'd gotten from the dead body at the bottom of the lake into his coat pocket.
He will no longer passively let things develop like this, now he has a plan.
He is going to see Paul.Drovers.
Nick parked the car outside the barricade at the scene of the crash, behind the blue Chevrolet Antelope, which the killer would be in, and which he would pursue for hours to come, trying to kill him. Squeeze out of the road and hit a big tree.
He walked quickly to Private Manas, the National Guardsman who had prevented him from entering the last time he came for Detective Shanor.
What can I do for you?asked the guard.
I'm going to bring Captain Dalia the evidence related to the crash.Nick kept walking forward with his wet wallet held high. The guard heard Nick's authoritative tone and attitude, and nodded to let him pass without asking.
Nick stood looking at the scene of the crash.The firefighters pulled the long water hose and had no time to sit on the running boards to rest; the family members of the deceased were sent to the central building to see the remains of their loved ones, listen to the latest report on the cause of the plane crash, and hope that someone might miraculously survive.
This miserable scene was completely different from what Nick had encountered in the past. Although he had just been here an hour ago, he still couldn't get used to this scene.The tragedy was so tragic that, apart from the tail of the plane, he couldn't see any wreckage larger than the door.He watched as hundreds of volunteers helped paramedics comfort grieving families.This is the highest display of human nature, and it is also the most tragic situation in life.
And Paul.Travers is somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
Nick took out Travers' wallet, which was still wet until now. He found his company business card and dialed the mobile phone number on it.
Hello?
Mr Travers?Nick scoured the crowd of volunteers.
I am.
Nick searched among the crowds around the central building and tents.My name is Nick.Quinn.
What's up?Drovers asked in a tone of unemotional directness.
Nick scanned the field surrounded by caution tape, and finally saw him, the man holding his phone to his ear, standing in the field strewn with the remains of the dead.Nick hung up the phone and walked directly towards the man without leaving his eyes.
Drovers was bigger than Nick had imagined, his former physique must have been rock hard, his weight had changed a bit, but he was still strong.His gray hair was neatly brushed back, not disheveled like the corpse Nick had seen at the bottom of the Kesker.
Wearing plastic gloves and with his shirt sleeves rolled up, the man lifted the white cloth covering the deceased to examine the body underneath.
Mr Travers?Nick said as he approached.
Drovers didn't stop lifting the white cloth, he just thought Nick was a boring person who harassed him.
My name is Nick.Quinn.As he spoke, he held out his hand for a handshake.
Travers ignores him, and Nick isn't sure if it's because he's wearing gloves or because he's being rude.
You just flew here today, right?Nick asked.
Do I know you?
I don't know how to tell you Nick pauses, not sure how to go on.
I don't have time to play guessing games with you, so just explain why you're here!
They are going to kill you.Nick blurted out.
who?Travers still didn't look up at him, as if he didn't hear, or didn't care.
your partner.
partner?Drovers finally looked up at him.What are you raving about?
Nick grabbed the man by the shoulders and turned him around, hoping to get his attention.They are going to kill my wife.
The man's face softened slightly.Then I suggest that you should protect her instead of harassing me.
You know Ethan.Dance?Nick asked.
Are you a police officer?
He'll put a gun in your eyes and your mouth, he's setting vicious traps.Nick touched his mouth lightly.Then he will tie a metal plate around your ankle and throw you into a lake to drown.
Are you trying to scare me?
That's right.Nick answered honestly.
After seeing this, Travers waved his hand and pointed to everything around him.Please forgive me for not being able to talk to you, I have bigger troubles to deal with.
Drovers glared at Nick, then walked away.Nick froze for a moment, wondering how to persuade this man, how could he get him to have a good talk with him?
Nick caught up to Travers and walked beside him on the charred ground, their every step being careful not to step on the wreckage of the AS300 jet.As long as he came across a place with a white cloth, Drovers would stop, nod his head in salute, and then slowly grab a corner of the white cloth and open it to look.
These cloths were sheets brought in hastily from North Westchester Hospital, and were not designed for this purpose.Although Nick knew that the white cloth covered the body, he had no way of knowing the real situation under the white cloth covered everywhere.Instead of the dead lying in repose, there were mutilated, shattered, burnt corpses beyond recognition; sheets covering bodies, and limbs and limbs, a sight Nick had never seen before, and his stomach quivered. Also heartache.How did Drovers manage to search so patiently?Nick really didn't understand how he managed to see the faces of the dead.
what are you doing here?Nick asked.
I was a former military doctor and served in Vietnam.I thought I would never see it again.
Do you think that being a volunteer here can purify your soul?
You have no idea what you are talking about.I'll just say it once: don't bother me, or I'll call the police.
Trust me, you don't want to do this.Nick paused.Are you redeeming yourself?
Travers paused and turned to Nick, anger and pain in his eyes.I'm looking for my brother.
Nick stared blankly at the man.He thought he was a badass, but Nick was shocked to hear that Travers' brother was also on the plane.
I'm sorry, Nick said: I didn't know about it.
Now that you know, can you stop bothering me?
There was a robbery this morning at the Hannickle family's Washington mansion, where you are in charge of the security system.Nick wasn't quite willing to push him, but he had to ask.They stole a lot of diamonds and ancient swords, and a few knives and guns, and they are about to destroy the evidence, I know they are after you, you have to get out of here, I will help you, but you have to tell me Who is involved in the case, I need to know everyone's name in order to save my wife.
Drovers finally looked at Nick differently, this time with sympathy.I feel sorry for your wife.But then the sympathetic gaze faded away.But at least she's alive, and I can't say the same about my brother.Now, excuse me.
Drovers bent over and lifted another white cloth.
Where is Mr Travers?Someone yelled behind them.
Very good, who are you?
I am Ethan.Detective Dance.
Nick turned to see four uniformed policemen standing beside Dance.
Please come with us.Dance grabbed him by one arm, and the other cops grabbed the other.Nick scanned the cops quickly, looking for a bound body like the one he'd seen at the bottom of the Kesker Reservoir, but there were no redheads here, and none of the four of them were thin.
Nick touched the pistol behind him, however, he knew that if he drew it, he would either be killed or be handcuffed.
let him go.Nick cried, not knowing why he said that.
who are you?dance asked.
Don't you have any sympathy?Nick said: "This man is looking for his brother's body!
It wasn't just that he was looking for.After Dansi finished speaking, he turned and took Zhuofusi away.
Nick looked at the corpses of the victims covered with white cloths all around, he really didn't understand why innocent people had to die.How many family members mourn and grieve for their beloved relatives?He knew very well what it was like to lose a loved one.
If only he could stop this and undo this disaster, if he had more than five hours; if it takes twelve hours to save Julia and solve a crime, how much will it take to save two hundred and twelve people time?Could he go back in time and tell everyone not to get on the plane?Can he find the cause of the crash?He felt almost heartbroken when he knew he couldn't stop all this suffering.
But Drovers had been taken away by Dance, and he didn't give Nick any new information before his death.He said he was looking for his brother's body, and it never occurred to Nick that Travers was dealing with more than just a robbery.
But what did Dan Si mean by what he said just now, he was not only looking for his brother's body?Is he looking for something else?
Nick actually liked this Drovers.He had served his country, was a trained military doctor, and founded a large company.
Nick discovered that he might not be able to save the dead passengers, but he might be able to save Paul.Doing so, Travers, yields even more information.
Nick knew where they were going, and he still had time to save him.
Travers was thrown into the back seat of the green Ford, and after Danse had finished speaking with his men, he told them to leave.
Dance sits next to him, takes out a gun and puts it in Paul's stomach.What's it like to have a younger brother who killed more than two hundred people?
Drovers stared at him, but remained silent.
Did he betray us, or was this part of your plan?Anyway, I'd like to know where that box is.Dance paused, suddenly angry.And I need to know now!
Drovers didn't want to answer his question, no one could make him talk, let alone a corrupt policeman like this.On the Lao border in 1972, Travers was captured by the Viet Cong while he was treating the remaining officers of Reese's company. He was thrown into a pit that served as a makeshift prison, and the Viet Cong interrogated him. For five days, without food or water, they beat him with twigs and rifle butts, but he never spoke, not even his name, his rank, and his military serial number.On the sixth day, a group of Naval Special Forces rescued him, but before he could leave, he snatched the rifle from a Viet Cong and shot his interrogator to death.
Even in that situation, Travers didn't let go, and it was even more impossible to answer his question now.
Paul.Travers returned to the United States in 1975 and started his own security company.At first, there was only a small shop, and he helped install door and window alarms for friends' homes. Then, he started to install surveillance cameras for the shops of local old men and women, and later developed into a more sophisticated security company.All he relied on was a bit of luck, hard work, sleepless nights and stressful days, and later he established one of the best security companies in China.
Sam.Drovers and his brother took a completely different route.While Paul went to medical school to pursue his career, Sam dropped out of high school and went around with women; when Paul was about to enlist in the army, Sam dodged the military; so, when Paul flew to Vietnam, Sam fled to Canada.
Paul has been an athlete since he was a child. He has developed a quarterback-like physique through exercise and healthy diet. He can lift injured people off the battlefield in Southeast Asia; but Sam would rather pour a bunch of chemicals into his body to seek relief and truth.
Because he had seen too many wounds and blood on the battlefield, Paul decided to give up practicing medicine and take a path that he had never thought of before.The success of his career allowed him to buy a Georgian colonial mansion in the suburbs of Philadelphia. His two daughters were also sent to the Ivy League to study. He and his wife Susan lived a good life. They were married for 25 years and had their own family. Boats and planes, Paul loves to fly and has shared his father's passion since he was fourteen.His father would fly him and Sam over the Ligow Valley twice a month and let them take turns at the steering wheel, thus establishing his lifelong hobby.Flying felt like nothing he had ever experienced.
Everyone envied his life, but his younger brother didn't think so.After President Carter's amnesty for deserters, Sam returns to America, believing the world owes him a good life.If the world didn't owe him, his brother Paul did.
Sam may have too many faults, but he is Paul's younger brother after all, and they are still a family.The most he committed were draft evasion and drug use, and that was when he was young.Young people's rudeness and self-centeredness are no great crimes, and if they were crimes, Sam would have been in jail.
Paul has hired his brother on and off for the past twenty years, paid him over a million dollars a year, and done nothing; out of sympathy, he gave his brother some shares in the company so he at least had something to leave child.He hopes to use this to stimulate his younger brother and give him a sense of honor and work motivation.But all this was as fruitless as previous efforts.Sam has made too little contribution to the company, never even got a contract, and has little interest in doing business.The situation had become so serious that Paul had to seriously consider giving up on him entirely.
But last year, Paul saw a change in him. Sam started to arrive at the company at 8 o'clock every morning and worked all day before leaving get off work. Later, he expressed some opinions in the office and respected the employees.It took Sam forty-nine years to grow up and mature, with a growing sense of responsibility. He gradually won the respect of his family and regained their trust. The two of them began to communicate more often. Paul could proudly introduce him to everyone during his briefings. .Within six months, he had signed several million-dollar deals.Sam wasn't just working, he was making himself into someone worth staying at the company.
But before long, his whole world is turned upside down again.
One morning, Paul entered the office at 6:45 to find a receipt on the floor.He picked it up without a word, cursing to himself that some idiot had dropped the receipt, and then he noticed the signature underneath and suddenly understood what Sam had done.
Paul is furious when he discovers that his security system has been hacked and that Hanneko's files and blueprints have been lost.Security codes, combination codes for safes and locks were stolen, and secure magnetic card authorizations were compromised.
He connects to Sam's personal computer.Although Sam had regained his trust last year with a stellar performance, he kept access to Sam's computer files in case he relapsed.Paul once felt guilty for not having confidence in his brother, but when he opened his brother's personal file and learned what was inside, the guilt immediately disappeared.He printed it out, read the notes, and learned of his betrayal.Suddenly feel heartbroken.
Half a million dollars in cash and a Smith & Wesson pistol, along with the three pages printed out of my brother's file, rushed to the small airfield where the propeller plane was parked.He paid 10,000 yuan in cash to Tony, an air traffic controller he had known for twenty years.Richter, tell him not to mention seeing him take off at 7:15.Paul wanted him to tell people that his plane was still in the hangar, he didn't want anyone to know he was gone, he didn't want Sam to know what he was about to do.
Dance's fist hit Paul hard over the right eye, pulling him back to the present.
where is that box
Paul just looked at the man and laughed off his fist.He told me you would do it.Paul taunts Dance.
who?
He said he knew everything about the robbery.Paul continued.He's glad to see Dan's distraught over it.He said you'd throw me in the lake, I should have listened to him.
who?
I don't know, but he looks annoyed.Drover paused.No, he was super upset.
Is it the guy you were with just now?
Paul just smiled back.
Dance suddenly punched him.Did he guess that I would do this?
He then punched Paul in the stomach.And this?
Dance said no more. He jumped out of the car, walked over, sat in the front seat, started the engine, and drove on the restricted road.
I want to see how well you can swim.
Nick sprinted with all his strength, faster than before.He sprinted across the field, past the central building, across the hockey field, into the woods; the road circled the field, and if he ran fast enough, and the traffic was heavy, he could cut corners and possibly catch up to them.
He entered the grove on the right, running like hell, urging himself to pick up speed, his legs sore, making the final sprint like a marathon runner on the last lap.
Once in the woods, he continued to run quickly under the low, green branches, jumping over roots and undergrowth, thinking only of Julia.Nick was running fast through the bushes and woods, picking up speed again, and coming out of the weeds that joined the traffic path.
He didn't stop, but directly stretched his hand behind him, pulled out the pistol, and opened the safety catch.At this time, Dance's car came into view.
His car was driving at a terrific speed, and a quarter of a mile away, he was approaching the guard post at Manas Station of the National Guard. His job was to prevent the entry of idlers, and he probably had to prevent others from leaving without even thinking about it.
Manas!Private Manas!Nick cried out breathlessly, running to the sentry post.
Manas turned to him, his confused expression visible even from this distance.
Nick pointed to Dance's approaching car.
Stop him!Nick yelled at the militiaman.
What did you say?Manas also shouted back, and he turned his head just in time to see the green Ford approaching.
They stole wreckage from the crash site.Nick yelled, this way, it will definitely get his attention.
How do you know?Manas asked loudly.
Aren't you a top student in the shooting class?Then prove it!
How do you know this?The private yelled as he watched the approaching car.
Raise your rifle and don't let them pass.Nick was now within a hundred feet of the National Guard.But the car suddenly accelerated, and the oversized engine began to roar.
The exit is only big enough for one car because of the fence.Manas stood in the gap with his M16 rifle raised, cringing at the sight of the three thousand-pound cart.
Nick ran up to him and aimed the pistol at the driver.
Nearly a hundred yards away, the opponent is still accelerating.
You can shoot tires, just focus.Nick said.
are you sure?Manas aimed his gun high.
You can do it, it's like a shooting range.
Fifty yards away.
Quick shot.Nick said.
Manas bent his finger and fired a bullet intently.
車子爆胎後，黑色輪胎一陣抖動，鋁合金內胎撞到地面，擦出了大片火花。
尼克瞄準丹斯，站在他身旁的馬納斯也擺出射擊架式，他的手指正要扣下板機，射出另一發子彈，這時，丹斯的剎車突然鎖死，車子原地打滑，其他輪胎跟爆了胎的鋁合金內輪停下時，發出尖銳刺耳的聲響。
尼克和馬納斯兩人的槍都瞄準丹斯，丹斯本想拔槍，後來覺得還是不要比較好。What exactly is going on?馬納斯咬著牙。目光始終不敢稍離丹斯。
看看後座的那個人，他身上有血。
馬納斯在看到卓弗斯的情況之後，瞄準丹斯腦袋的槍就更篤定了。下車，快點。
小子，丹斯打開車門，半舉起雙手。你就要鑄下大錯了。
尼克將手伸進車內，打開門鎖，放卓弗斯出來。
別聽他的，等你看到他後車廂裝著什麼東西就知道。這個警察剛從失事現場偷了兩大袋的古董，有刀劍和鑽石，那都是別人的東西，而且那個人才剛在空難中喪生。尼克知道這個謊言會比事實更有說服力，也會使丹斯變得更卑鄙。
他說謊。丹斯怒視尼克。
尼克自行打開後車廂的鎖。你還會在這裡找到一些鐵板和腳踏車剎車線，他要拿剎車線綁住卓弗斯先生，然後把他丟進凱斯克水庫。
丹斯震驚地轉向尼克。
後車廂蓋緩緩打開，露出兩個大袋子和幾塊鐵板。尼克把手伸進後車廂打開袋子，展示裡面金光閃閃的刀劍和三把飾滿珠寶的槍。最後，尼克給了他最後一擊。他打開黑色絨布袋，裡面的鑽石露出耀眼奪目的光芒。
你這混蛋。馬納斯立刻用來福槍抵住丹斯的腦袋。
靠在車上不要動。
丹斯不情願地聽話照做。
馬納斯舉高來福槍抵住他的頭時，尼克拿走丹斯的手槍、手銬和鑰匙，並搜索他的下半身，在他腳踝處找到一把左輪小手槍。他把丹斯的雙手銬在前面。
尼克走到自己的奧迪車前打開車門，把丹斯的槍丟到座位上。丹斯的目光緊盯著他的一舉一動。
你根本不知道自己幹了什麼好事，丹斯對尼克說。他怒視的目光宛如燃燒著熊熊火焰。我們會找到你，我保證，我一定會找到你，把你的心臟活生生挖出來
馬納斯以來福槍的槍托重擊了幾下丹斯的肚子，使他痛得彎下腰。shut your mouth.馬納斯又舉起槍，把丹斯推進車內。給我進去。都要去坐牢的人說這麼多廢話幹什麼？丹斯坐在自己車子的後座，痛得縮起身子。
有鑰匙嗎？馬納斯指著丹斯的手銬問尼克。
尼克把鑰匙交給這位二等兵，他立刻把鑰匙塞進口袋我入伍時可沒在國民警衛隊的募兵手冊看過這種事情。
你本來是做什麼的？
我剛拿到企管碩士，但景氣這麼差，我這種學歷也沒多大用處，還不是只能在速食店煎肉做漢堡。
尼克點頭贊同，但又急著打斷他。聽著，我得趕快送他去看醫生。尼克指著卓弗斯。你是個好人，我很感激你的幫忙，假如你有什麼需要的話
No.馬納斯覺得他只是隨便說說，隨意回他一笑。
我是認真的，尼克看到對方眼中的懷疑。Give me your phone number.
9142857448。
尼克邊聽邊存入自己的手機。我向你保證，一定會想辦法幫你介紹工作。
馬納斯笑了一下，開始相信尼克是真心想幫忙。
你得叫你同單位的同事過來這裡。卓弗斯擦掉嘴邊的血。不要找他的警察同僚，他們會掩護他，說他是無辜的，還可能會要你放他走。
我會用無線電呼叫我的指揮官柯隆尼．威爾斯過來處理此事。他靠近去看卓弗斯臉上的血。Are you OK?
卓弗斯看看尼克，隨後點頭說：沒事
尼克開著自己的奧迪車上了二十二號公路，卓弗斯坐在他旁邊，行李箱放在大腿上。他剛剛已經從他租來的藍色雪佛藍內把行李箱拿過來，那輛租車仍停在運動場的通行路上。
謝謝你，卓弗斯說：我想我欠你一條命。
You're welcome.尼克點頭回應，並從車內的緊急箱拿出冰袋交給卓弗斯。我必須說，很遺憾你失去了弟弟。
丹斯想對我做的事都被你說中了。
那是他慣用的伎倆。尼克摸了一下發腫的嘴脣，希望能避開更多的問題，他不想再談為什麼他能未卜先知。
聽著，我沒有多少時間，不過我得知道究竟發生了什麼事。尼克說：我得知道你是否曉得這起劫案。
卓弗斯望著窗外一片荒涼的拜瑞丘鎮。
拜託，他們會殺掉我太太。尼克以誠懇的口吻哀求。
卓弗斯將冰袋敷在眼睛上，點了點頭。這個劫案是我弟弟幹的。他從我的個人檔案裡拿到資料，他就是策劃這一切的主謀，沒錯，再也沒有比這更貼切的形容詞。我今天早上才發現他的計畫，他打算坐飛機離開，早上十點十五分抵達這裡。丹斯會到機場接他，然後一起到漢尼寇家犯案。我飛過來是希望在他犯下終生大錯之前阻止他。
I'm very sorry.尼克無法想像被自己的至親背叛是什麼滋味。
連我弟弟一起算進去，搶匪總共有五個人，我弟弟帶他們進去那裡，起初一切都很順利，每個人都能分到他們要的東西，但後來整個事件卻演變成一場大災難。丹斯和他的手下認為我弟弟想騙他們，我弟弟責怪他們不知感恩，這簡直就是權力與貪婪的最佳範例。
那裡有上億的財寶。Nick said.
對，但除了漢尼寇、他的律師和我之外沒有別人知道，很不幸地，這件事後來被我弟弟發現了。那些協助他犯案的人，比如說丹斯，他們就算東西擺在面前也不知道它的價值。
既然你弟弟有鑰匙，為什麼還要找別人參加？
屋主通常都會有些安全程序。很可悲，我弟弟是個笨蛋，他以為警鈴跟警局連線，如果他要做案就要找個警局的人來，所以他才叫丹斯找一組人。他們做好計畫，勘查地形，站崗盯梢一陣子，最後才準備把東西偷出來。我弟弟答應他們或者該說是拿閃亮的金子和鑽石引誘他們；他從不曾告訴那些人他要什麼，他認為這不干他們的事。他讓丹斯和他的手下拿去刀劍武器，自己則去開保險櫃。
他們直接從牆上把莫內的畫拿走不就行了？
我很高興還有人懂藝術。但他僱的那些白痴可能把那當成了沒價值的塗鴉。我弟弟就不同，他很清楚它的價值，但他更貪心，他想要別的東西。
更貪心是什麼意思？Nick asked.
保險櫃裡除了鑽石還有別的。卓弗斯停頓一下。
What is it?
卓弗斯回答得很慢。他想要漢尼寇的紅木盒。
什麼盒？
我弟弟根本不知道裡面裝了什麼，他只是聽到謠言，認為那東西一定值得冒這個險。
他想要比莫內的畫、比所有的金銀鑽石加起來更有價值的東西？
尼克困惑地問：那盒子裡到底是什麼？
你知道何謂價值認知嗎？
have no idea.Nick shook his head.
如果我手上拿著一個盒子死都不肯放開，你一定會很好奇裡面是什麼。如果你出一百萬我都不肯賣，你就會認為它更有價值。可是那個價值很可能只是個人的觀感，盒子裡也許是我父親的骨灰，是一堆會隨風飄走的灰塵，對你沒什麼價值，但對我而言那卻是我父親留下的一切，所以那是無價之寶。
卓弗斯望向別處，把手伸進口袋摸了一陣，似乎想找些東西。不久後，他轉回來看尼克。
他伸出兩隻手，一手握拳，另一手掌心朝上，手上放著二十五分錢。
你看著我的手，卓弗斯說：選一個，只能選一個。
尼克望著那枚二十五分硬幣，又看看卓弗斯握拳的手，很快就碰了一下那個拳頭。
十之八九的人都會這樣。他們會選擇未知的神祕事物，但為什麼？他振振有詞地說：原因有很多。人都會想知道裡面的東西是什麼？因為未知的似乎總比已知的事物更有價值。可是，有多少人是活在當下？只有極少數人吧。有多少人會為了未來而犧牲現在？卓弗斯打開拳頭，裡面是空的。未來永遠都是沒有保障的。
卓弗斯的話深深地撼動尼克，當他想到茱莉亞，突然明白，他們總是犧牲當下、不斷地想望未來。
那個盒子也是這樣。所以，我弟弟死了，如果我不幫他們找到那個盒子，他們就要殺我；而且為了湮滅證據，你妻子也會被殺。他們甚至還不知道裡面到底裝了什麼。
丹斯一整個後車廂都裝滿了金銀，他卻寧願拿這些去換那個盒子，而且他根本不知道裡面裝的是什麼？尼克吃驚地說。
整起事件越變越糟，丹斯和他的手下本來只是要去搶古董和鑽石，後來他們看到那個盒子，雖然不知道裡面裝了什麼，但看到我弟弟這麼想要它，就認為它的價值一定遠超過他們拿到的東西，他覺得他們被坑了，分到的只是廉價的工資。
這一切就只為了一個盒子？
我們每個人都有那個特別的盒子，放一些我們心愛的寶貝，再高的價碼也不願意割捨。你珍視你的妻子，我疼愛我的小孩；夏姆斯．漢尼寇的寶貝在他盒子裡，那盒子有二十五磅重，那是父傳子、子傳孫，世代傳下來的東西。聽說裡面裝著他們祖傳的智慧，他們家族的祕密。卓弗斯深吸一口氣。我們總想抓緊心愛的東西，握緊能讓他們覺得溫暖的物品，這能帶給我們希望，讓我們知道未來這個世界會既平安又祥和。
有什麼東西重二十五磅、又特別讓人珍視？Nick asked.
好奇心是很有傳染力的。你都還沒看到那個盒子就已經想知道裡面裝什麼了。
你知道盒子裡裝了什麼嗎？Nick asked.
卓弗斯露出理解的笑容。你應該知道，這一切不可能只為了一堆鑽石和幾把古劍，對吧？
車門打開時，丹斯坐在後座，雙手被銬著，怒氣幾乎要爆發。
這位國民兵站在車外，一手拿著他的M16來福槍，一手拿手機靠在耳邊講電話，等著他上司下指令。
丹斯拚命動腦筋查看四周，在那群週末兼差的業餘軍人帶走他之前，衡量自己有什麼選擇；他都已經拚到這個地步，可不能在這種時候失敗。
丹斯看看自己殘缺的無名指。那些人說這是為他這條命先付的訂金。
沒有人知道此事，但他這條命只能留到午夜，付不出錢就得死。他不允許這種事情發生。
丹斯兼差做了很多跟他的職業有衝突的事。身為警探，六萬美金的年薪根本不夠生活，至少在威徹斯特一點也不夠，那些有錢人指望警察保護他們，但卻像對待次等公民般對待他們。
做些兼差的外快能貼補些許生活費這裡偷一點，那裡藏一點，恐嚇勒索幾個小毒販。因為如果這些小毒販的有錢父母知道他們賣什麼東西給十四歲少年，很可能會跟他們斷絕親子關係。丹斯偷過搶過，也曾受僱縱火，還殺過兩次人。他接下郡內與毒品有關的案子，一個人收一萬塊。他用強化尼龍袋把屍體裝起來，用鏈子纏緊，綁在一百磅重的鐵板上，把屍體丟到曼哈頓區旁邊的東河。這樣很保險，就算有人發現屍體也是幾年後的事情了。
除了夏諾之外，沒有人知道他幹的勾當，而且夏諾也很清楚這種事最好不要說出來，知道這件事的還有他師父何瑞斯．藍道爾。他再過三個月就要退休，贓物很快就能脫手，沒有人會查到證據，就算有司法人員起疑，他也會利用警探的知識把調查引到另一個方向。
但並不是所有的事情都進行的很順利。
十四個月前，他集結了一小組菜鳥，都是他逮捕和恐嚇的青少年，他們替他工作以逃避坐牢刑責。
其中兩名少年在布隆克斯區劫持了一輛裝滿電腦的小貨車，把它開到揚克斯市的一間倉庫，丹斯在那裡等著收貨。買家付了四萬塊現金跟他買下偷來的筆記型電腦和高檔的桌上型電腦，他把四分之一的錢分給那兩名青少年，確保他們的忠誠，同時也當成封口費。
一個星期後，這兩名青少年的屍體在小巷裡被人發現，頭部中彈，是典型的黑道處決方式。
隔天，丹斯到家後才剛下車，兩名虎背熊腰的大漢就把他強行帶走，載到佛雷．布希的機械修理店，把他捆綁在沉重的木椅上。
他坐在陰暗的店裡整整三個鐘頭，由兩個沉默的打手看守，後來，他聽到有人進門的聲音。
你偷了我的卡車。他身後傳來腔調極重的說話聲。
丹斯靜靜坐著，目視前方。他不須細看也知道那人是誰，他認得這個聲音。
你應該比誰都清楚。這名矮小的黑髮男子繞著丹斯的椅子。最後終於停在他面前，彎身靠近他的臉。現在，那兩個小鬼都死了。
這名阿爾巴尼亞人的左眼已廢，臉頰上有一道恐怖的疤痕，這種相貌讓他的俘虜一見就怕，晚上更是嚇人。他是葛斯多夫．魯凱，東歐裔的新一代黑道老大，他總以鐵腕方式控制他的地盤和手下的羔羊，完全不理會美國老派黑手黨的江湖道義。
那不是你的貨車。丹斯瞪視著魯凱那隻正常的眼睛。
是我先看上的，而且那是我的地盤，我這兩個手下正準備出手，那兩個小毛頭卻搶在我們前面。
你知道你越界了嗎？你知道你會有什麼下場嗎？I am a policeman.
那你知道你會有什麼下場嗎？警察先生？我還不知道警察也幹偷竊和買賣贓物的勾當呢！
魯凱微一點頭，兩個面貌冷酷無情的大漢便向前一步，站在丹斯兩旁，各抓著他一邊的肩膀把他壓在座位上。那兩人各抓住他一隻手，把他的手緊扣在木椅的扶手上。
魯凱坐在丹斯前面的桌子上，手伸進口袋，拿出一把大彈簧刀，彈開來。
我看上的每一條命都有價碼。魯凱以手指從左眼往下摸，沿著臉頰上的粗疤滑過去。我們的尊嚴，我們的權勢，這些東西，我偶爾需要再次強調一下。
魯凱把刀子抵在丹斯右手無名指的第二個關節上。
警察先生，你有一百萬嗎？
丹斯沉默不語，臉上的表情深不可測，但額上已經開始冒出冷汗。
你害我們損失了五萬塊，現在我得連本帶利要回來。你拿毒品的錢，做毒品生意，還偷貨物。魯凱以滑溜的嗓音說：搞清楚，我可不是在問你有沒有這回事。
丹斯眼裡冒著怒火，大膽地瞪著魯凱。
魯凱沒說半個字，也沒做出戲劇化的停頓，只是用力壓下刀子，一刀就把丹斯的手指給切斷。
丹斯痛得仰起頭哀嚎。
盡量大叫沒關係，沒什麼好丟臉的，我保證不會告訴別人。
魯凱在丹斯的褲子上把刀口的血抹乾淨，再把彈簧刀折回去放回口袋。
你是很有價值的人，伊森．丹斯。我想跟你做個生意，你的命就賣一百萬。為了不讓你太緊張，我給你一年的時間慢慢來，這樣應該有足夠的時間去找個好方法籌錢。你要分期付款還是一次付清都可以。你就把這東西當成是訂金吧。魯凱拿起丹斯的斷指。
現在，十四個月過去，魯凱每天都在催他提醒他，不讓他延期，他不能再拖了。時間到了，看你是要付錢還是準備等死。魯凱每天早上都這麼說。
現在，丹斯像囚犯一樣坐在自己的車裡，後車廂裡裝滿古董和鑽石。他只需要一點點就夠贖回他的命，他心中充滿一輩子不曾有過的狂怒和怨恨。Sam.卓弗斯背叛了他，帶著不知多少價值的盒子逃了，而他卻被一個朝九晚五的兼差小兵逮捕，背後還有人虎視眈眈準備支解他的身體。
丹斯怒瞪著那個在玩警察遊戲的小兵，猜想他週一回去上班時會怎樣津津樂道地聊著自己如何逮到一個壞警察，還找到
Hello?柯隆尼嗎？馬納斯的上司終於接起電話，他轉身背對著丹斯講手機。
丹斯從敞開的車門跳出來，把手舉到毫無戒心的馬納斯頭上，用力以手銬死命勒住馬納斯的脖子。
霎時，馬納斯的手機掉了下去，連來福槍也握不住，只是用雙手緊抓著脖子，雖然他受過搏擊和射擊訓練，但卻從不曾看過或接觸過任何近似戰場的情況。這位年輕的二等兵甚至不曾在酒吧打過架。
丹斯使盡全身力量往後拉扯，想用手銬鏈絞斷馬納斯的脖子，讓斷掉的軟骨刺進他柔軟的氣管，阻斷通往大腦的血流。他往後坐進車裡，把馬納斯也拖進去，這位年輕人的手臂奮力拉扯著頸部的鏈子，雙腳猛踢，尋找能抓緊的地方，他發青的嘴脣吐出垂死掙扎的咕嚕聲。
馬納斯最後終於停止掙扎，手臂軟弱無力地垂下來，他的右腿抽搐了幾下。
然後就死了。
在空難現場入口的馬路邊，二等兵尼爾．馬納斯成了蘇利文運動場第二百一十三個罹難者。
丹斯將手伸進這名小兵的口袋，拿出手銬鑰匙，重獲自由。
他把屍體拉進後座免得引人注意，又從後車廂裡拿出千斤頂和備胎，弄成像是在換輪胎似的。兩分鐘後，他拿起馬納斯的手機和來福槍丟進車裡，跳進沒有警車標誌的前座，啟動引擎，把千斤頂和破輪胎留在路中央，就這樣開走。他如果有時間再把馬納斯的屍體丟進凱斯克水庫，現在的首要之務是先處理更緊急的事。
他掀開警用電腦的鍵盤，打入他記得的車牌號碼，隨後飆到時速六十英里。藍色奧迪的車主名字很快便跳出來：尼克．昆恩，拜瑞丘湯森巷五號。車主的照片跟從樹林裡跑出來阻止他的人相符，這個人給他戴上手銬、準備把他丟進監牢。但他不知為什麼這個人會對他後車廂內的東西如此一清二楚。
他看看上面的地址，發現這是漢尼寇律師家的地址，她辦公室裡有保全錄影帶，他們很可能已經看過了。
但丹斯早已跟她通過話，並取得尼克．昆恩妻子的信任。
尼克行駛在二十二號公路上，在快到州界時，他看到下方的車流不斷。這裡簡直像另一個世界，路上擠滿了車子，人們在車內閒聊喧譁，彷彿完全不知道高速公路一英里外的災難。拜瑞丘感覺像個死城，被外界隔離，全世界的人已經把這個災難事件拋到腦後了。
尼克繼續開進空盪的城鎮，開進他朋友的瓦哈拉餐廳旁的空停車場。
你確定不要去醫院嗎？尼克停車時問。
I'm fine.卓弗斯說：我在足球場上被撞到的傷都比這嚴重。
那你要我送你去哪裡？尼克看著車內的時鐘。我三點要去別的地方。
我還不能回機場。卓弗斯說。
How about this!尼克說：你載我回家之後我車子借你。
I can't do that.卓弗斯搖搖頭。
sure.你又不是不還我，用完後打個電話給我就好。你弟弟剛過世，又發生了這麼多的事情，你比我更需要這輛車。
卓弗斯點頭致謝。
反正在十分鐘後我家就會有另一輛跟這一樣的車。Nick said.他想，應該沒有人能了解他口氣中的嘲諷。
感激不盡。
不過你得幫我個忙。尼克看看卓弗斯。丹斯的一名手下想殺我太太，可是我不知道那人是誰。
我得說，我之前沒把你和你太太茱莉亞聯想在一起。但其實我見過她好幾次，尼克，她人很好，漢尼寇很關心她，認為她是全世界最好的人，就我所知，沒有人比那位老先生更會看人了。
是啊，不過如果我不快點找人幫忙，尼克說：她恐怕活不過今天。
卓弗斯把行李箱拿到腿上打開，拿出三張紙。
我今天早上才知道我弟弟在私下進行些什麼。我進入他的私人檔案，找到了這個。卓弗斯把文件交給尼克。
尼克快速讀了一遍，這些是雜亂的單據，在計畫搶劫時隨便打出來的東西。
內容不多，只是他的筆記，不過有名單。
尼克快速瀏覽闖入保全系統的技術文件，特別注意山姆提供的人員簡介：
死亡，七月二十八日。
丹斯（伊森．丹斯）三十八歲，警探，貪汙，雙面人。
他的三名手下：
藍道爾，警察，五十八歲，身材肥胖。
布納哈特，警察，菜鳥，年輕的生手。
艾利歐，警察，三十歲左右。
范斯，確認為中國籍，用五百萬現金買武器。鑽石的價碼根據檢測後再決定。
魯凱，不是警察。who is he?午餐時間打給他，他很緊張，很害怕。丹斯有欠債嗎？欠誰？
如果有人在追殺你妻子，卓弗斯指著這些人名。一定是這些人之一。
die?尼克看著最上面的名單不解地問。
那是今天的日期。
誰是魯凱？
不太確定，但我認為很可能是葛斯多夫．魯凱，他是阿爾巴尼亞人，他一直在紐約組織犯罪集團。不過我告訴你，如果他讓丹斯害怕，對你就沒有壞處。
或許吧，尼克說：搞不好他更壞。
如果是我就會多注意丹斯。卓弗斯說。
雖然他很瘋狂，尼克說：不過我不認為是他殺的。
you mean?卓弗斯錯愕地問。
我的意思是說，準備下手的人不是他。尼克糾正自己。儘管他同意卓弗斯的看法，但尼克擁有實證，殺茱莉亞的凶手在脖子上掛著聖克里斯多夫獎章，尼克見過丹斯的脖子和敞開的胸膛，他脖子上根本沒戴任何東西。山姆名單上的五十八歲胖警察藍道爾也不是凶手，尼克很確定，茱莉亞中槍時他看到了凶手跳進藍色雪弗蘭車的身影。下手的一定是另外三人。布納哈特、艾利歐或是魯凱。
今天早上發生搶劫後丹斯就開始追殺我弟弟。就算他沒死於墜機，他們也會殺了他。丹斯想得到那盒子的心意異常堅定，他認為那東西一定很值錢。我相信他是真想湮滅證據，不讓任何人追查到他。卓弗斯確信，茱莉亞真的有危險。
你對這件搶案怎麼會知道得這麼清楚？尼克的口吻中透著些許懷疑。
卓弗斯停頓一下，似乎準備要說出驚人的理由。
搶劫發生後，我找到我弟，看到他帶著從漢尼寇保險櫃裡拿出來的盒子離開。我試著說服他，我想幫他，說那盒子裡裝的不是他想像中的東西，那東西無法填補他生命中的缺口；但他說太遲了，丹斯在追他，一見到他就會立刻殺死他。
你最後是在哪裡見到他的？Nick asked.
在機場。
God!I'm very sorry.
卓弗斯看著尼克，眼神彷彿透著道不盡的苦衷。
尼克，我弟弟並不是墜機死的，他並不在五〇二班機上。
What do you mean by that?
他開著偷來的警車到機場，腋下