Chapter 10 4

Nick ran across the side yard and sprinted to Marcus' house.The door was unlocked, so he rushed into the hall without even knocking, and opened the door of the study, he knew that Marcus must be working there. Oh, good afternoon.Marcus greeted him, he didn't care about Nick's rash intrusion.He sat at a large desk, all three computers humming. Nick took out the letter in his pocket and put it in front of Marcus. What is this?Marcus looked at the water-stained envelope with curiosity.At last he recognized it was his own handwriting. Before you open it, I have to say, I need your help.

Why are you always so polite?sit down!Just open your mouth. Nick reluctantly sat down on the high-backed chair opposite Marcus. I only have three minutes to convince you of this incredible thing.Everything said in the letter is true, and you wrote this letter for me. where are you Nick held up his hand to stop him from going on and said: Before you speak, you know that I will never lie to you or make fun of you, and I want you to know that I am very clear now. Seeing how serious he was, Marcus finally picked up the letter and opened it. Dear me, Marcus started reading.Although the handwriting was stained with water, he could still read it clearly. Most importantly, he recognized that it was his own handwriting.I know it sounds crazy.Oh, this is really interesting!When did I write this letter?He looked up at Nick, his eyes narrowed in confusion.

Read on to find out.Nick answered quickly. Marcus fell silent and continued reading. □□□ dear me, I know it sounds crazy, but I'm writing to tell myself.You (meaning me too) know it's my handwriting and there's no way anyone but Uncle Imai could have replicated the tiny scribbles, but since he's dead As hard as it is to believe, Nick has come to you to help save Julia. □□□ Marcus glanced at Nick, then returned to the letter. □□□ For some reason, Nick can see the future.Now, you should be starting to think that Nick is crazy, or maybe you're out of your mind when you write this, but I, or should I say us, are here to testify to the truth of the matter.

You don't know this yet, but Jason.Celita is dead.You won't know about this until three o'clock in the afternoon, when his wife calls the company with tears in his eyes.Jason died in a tragic crash this morning after boarding a flight.He had planned to go to Boston to discuss the purchase of the Harris ski company with Reinhardts.You didn't tell anyone but Jason that you wanted to buy Reiner's company, and even Nick didn't know how much you liked their ski company.Ever since my dad bought me a pair of ski boots for Christmas one Christmas when I was a kid, I fell in love with their black and orange pattern design. Dad later went to Hunter Mountain to teach me how to ski on the day of the snowstorm. It was December 27th, and Mom was pissed because we didn't get home until midnight.Anyway, Jason is a nice guy who thinks it will make you (me) happy and advance in your career.May he rest in peace after his death.

Nick comes to you now, asking you to help rescue Julia.I've seen the future, and while what Nick convinced me to believe was horrific, I've seen horrific events happen.They are literally coming to kill Julia, and if you don't help, she will die. You never spoke to Dad before he died, and you're pretty guilty of that.The future is coming soon, and if you don't help Nick, Julia will be dead before the sun goes down, and if you don't do what he asks, you'll be guilty of that mistake for the rest of your life. I sincerely ask you to believe. Marcus.bennet □□□ Marcus stared at his signature, at the company badge he had put away from his desk weeks ago.Then he reached into the envelope again, pulled out a printout of the Wall Street Journal's headlines section from the Internet, and skimmed through it.

It was a full minute before he looked up at Nick. Without saying a word, he picked up the phone and dialed directly. Helen?it's me.I'm going to talk to Jason right now. Marcus listened quietly. What do you mean he's not here?Marcus yelled into the phone: Don't tell me this, call his assistant over to answer the phone! There was a pause on the phone for five seconds.Christine, I'm Marcus, where is Jason? Nick sat in Marcus' Bentley convertible on Sunrise Boulevard, happy not to be driving himself today, and happy to have an ally he could trust with all his heart.Nick called and found Julia, who was at the gas station in Bedford Village, up north.Because all the gas stations in town were closed, she was running out of gas and had to drive five miles to get gas first, and then to pick up an old doctor who was going to help at the scene of the plane crash.

Julia told him in a trembling voice that she had disembarked Flight 502 before it took off.He told her to stay where she was, to sit in the car and wait for him. I can't believe Jason died.Marcus shook his head.I had no idea at all that he was going to Boston. I regret.Nick said. The two fell silent. I trust you.Marcus was the first to break the silence as he drove through the dead city of Barrique, mentioning the matter in the letter. Thank goodness.Nick nodded, looking at the Washington mansion he had just passed. This whole thing is incredible, but you gotta tell me what it is.

It took Nick five minutes to convince Marcus about his near-death experience, about Dance and Travers and Julia and the mahogany box. Nick took out the gold watch, opened the cover and showed it to Marcus. Take this thing away.Marcus said. Don't you want to see it? There are some things in life that we should not see or know. They drove onto Route 22 past Sullivan Field and fell silent for a moment.Flames shot upwards, and black smoke filled the sky, covering the sun.It is now 1:15, and the fire brigade from Bank Village, Bedford Village, Kisko Hill, Joy Village and five other jurisdictions, together with the volunteers from Barry Hill, this group of people is fighting the fire. Been fighting for over an hour, but it's a war with no winners.

I hope you don't get me wrong, you are doing the right thing and would do it if I were you.But did you ever think that your actions might change the future?Have you ever thought about how every step you take and every interaction you have with everyone will have an impact on the future? A red Toyota flew by and interrupted him.I don't know where the car is going. The scope of our actions is too great to ever see the real consequences.Marcus pointed to the off-road vehicle that had just disappeared at the end of the road.For example, the simple act of careless driving can create a sort of domino effect, with one incident potentially affecting thousands of people involved.

A man rampages down the highway, causing a car accident that delays the return home of countless people.One of them might be a doctor, and his child accidentally swallowed a rubber ball and got stuck in the windpipe. His nanny panicked and didn't know what to do, so the three-year-old child died like this.Now, if the father can get home as usual, he can use Hamlich (Heimlich maneuver. In 1974, the American doctor Hamlich invented this extrusion method to treat the symptoms of foreign body obstruction.) First aid method to save his life This kid, let the kid spit out the rubber ball, and then they can sit down and have a normal dinner.The child may be inspired by his father and may grow up to work helping people treat cancer.

You'd love to kill that bastard scurrying down the highway, wouldn't you?Nick said. But who knows what will happen?Who knows if this child can really treat cancer for people when he grows up? He will, you just said.Nick said. but You can't always use but to refute But he could also invent something worse and kill millions of people.If we had known in advance, this maniac driver might have saved millions of lives.However, whether for noble or selfish reasons, who is to say that the consequences of our actions will lead to a better future for us? A nail is missing.Nick quotes a proverb. (For want of a nail. It means a great loss caused by a small matter.) That's right, even something as small as a nail.Marcus nodded in agreement. Marcus continued to drive on the highway, and the scorching sun in the middle of the day dyed the whole world with dazzling light.He put on his sunglasses, reached into the pouch by the door for sunscreen, and rubbed it on his bald head. Think about it, Marcus said with a smile: What would happen if you had so much power in your hands? I'll bet on the horses.Nick smiled. Betting on horses?What about stocks?business deal?You can know the outcome before your opponent makes a move.Marcus took out the letter he wrote to himself from his pocket, and pulled out the Wall Street Journal.Did you know that just knowing the news four hours in advance could make me millions? All I can say is glad capitalism is alive and well inside you. Seriously, if you think about things like international relations, peace negotiations, you can change history, prevent disasters, and Marcus paused.Stop this crash. Hearing what Marcus said, Nick suddenly realized that he was only thinking about Julia, but never thought about the value of the things in his hands. It could also change the outcome of a murder trial, which could catch the criminal Marcus' tone turning bitter.It can also change warfare.In case this thing falls into the wrong hands!Everyone has such a bad heart!It can be said to be extremely dangerous.Even the most noble and virtuous are easily corrupted by the power of foreknowledge. Nick hadn't thought about the power he held in his hands at all, nor had he thought about the consequences if this power was used for bad intentions. Promise me you'll destroy that thing when you're sure Julia is safe. no problem.Nick said. Marcus looked at the Wall Street Journal again, slipped it back into the envelope, and handed it to Nick.I really don't know how to tell you how attractive this thing is.just a phone call Nick put the envelope in his pocket.All I can say is that it's nice to see that not all people are so easily corrupted. Nick, Marcus turned to him.Does Julia know the date of her own death? Nick shook his head.She had, but it was hours later.As far as she is now, she feels lucky to have survived the crash. I could never get used to this sense of time.Marcus shook his head.You talk about the future as the past. My life has been going like this for eight hours. Without a constant sense of time, when no one else can remember what happened, how do you keep your sanity?Instead, I couldn't concentrate at all. I just keep thinking about Julia.I don't care about time, I don't care about anything now, as long as I find her murderer and stop him.Just thinking about her gives me a way to focus. The flames climbed six feet high, and the intense heat kept firefighters from getting even fifty yards closer.The sound of raging flames burning upwards sounded like an inhuman beast roaring, burning the metal fuselage mercilessly. Clouds of white foam were sprayed onto the wreckage-strewn sports field to extinguish the fuel-fueled blaze.Eight large water guns and countless water pipes sprayed arc-shaped water columns into the air, repelling the flames that were gradually burning towards the surrounding woods.Fortunately, the flight was only a short trip to Boston, and the fuel tanks in the wings were only half full; the price of fuel has risen recently, and less fuel will not carry the weight.But even that didn't help the firefighters, who were desperately trying to keep three thousand gallons of fuel under control. Many firefighters in fire suits searched the ground, hoping for a miracle, but they found nothing on the ground except for mutilated bodies and metal fragments.The National Guard brought in a large truckload of manpower supplies.The curious onlookers were full of horror after seeing this scene, and they had to be escorted or supported by others before they could go out. Dance walked around among the burning wreckage, completely ignoring the jets of water sprayed into the flames, and his blue top was sprayed with droplets of water.There are so many dead people in front of him, so much death and suffering, but Danse doesn't feel any pity; he can't shed a tear of sympathy for the dead.Sam.Travers' body was somewhere here, and the box he'd been dying to let go was nearby, a box of extraordinary value waiting for him.If a millionaire like Sam wants this box so much, instead of other gold and diamonds, this thing must be worth hundreds of millions. He couldn't help snickering, knowing that Travers had gotten his comeuppance.He wished he'd known he was about to die a horrible death when he fell from the sky. Even if the box hadn't been destroyed in the crash, Dance wasn't worried about someone finding it before he did.The crash site itself is a crime scene, and anyone who steals from it will be condemned by the public for multiple felonies.If that heavy wooden box had escaped the air crash, no one would know its value. As a law enforcement officer at the scene of the air crash, Danse would naturally enter the open space full of wreckage and steal it before others found out. With Sam's betrayal and death, it's up to Dance and his minions to annihilate the evidence, find and destroy the surveillance tapes, and hunt down anyone who might have seen them. When Sam contacted him a month ago, Dance thought it was a trap set by the police internal investigation unit.He thought that the policeman in charge of the police had finally caught him and was going to hook him with gold and diamonds. But he searched in the way of a police detective and found Sam.Travers is the president and founder of DSG security company Paul.Travers' incompetent sibling.The company's president, Paul Shams.The man who designed the security system for the mansion in Washington, D.C., is said to be a brilliant and hard-working inventor, and Sam is the complete opposite, a complete wimp, greedy and ungrateful for his ridiculously high salary and good life. . Sam is the best partner in crime.He is cowardly and easy to control.He is a miracle sent by the devil, and he is the best partner to help Danse get out of trouble and get rid of Rukai in one fell swoop. Danse robbed the dealers of their income, stole the contents of the evidence room, and blackmailed the criminals, but he never once made him a million dollars to redeem his life. Although Rukai's ultimatum made him angry, he knew there was no one to help him, and he had nowhere to run.The Albanian boss has eyes and ears everywhere, keeping track of him, the chosen lamb.No one can sympathize with a policeman who has gone astray. All policemen and criminals hate Danse.Lu Kai's notoriety is based on real events, not some alarmist rumors.Rukai's execution style was notoriously slow and grueling, with victims demanding death for hours before they could be freed.Lu Kai eats Danse to death, and his only way to survive is to pay a ransom of one million yuan. Dance had met Sam four times at the Smoothie Garden restaurant in Manhattan, where they discussed work, projects, security, and how to dispose of stolen goods.Sam said they would have a backup security tape, and if it wasn't going to the police, it would go to Hannikle's local law firm office. Sam determined that Hannickle's lawyer was Julia Ellen of Iconliner.Quinn, a backup copy of the security data is synced to her PC at work.Sam originally planned to go to her directly after the robbery, pretend to care about the aftermath of the robbery in the name of his company, and then plant a virus on her computer so that the backup can be sent to remote monitoring at 2 o'clock in the morning. Wipe out all evidence. Now, now that Sam was dead, Julia's business had to be handled by Danse. He and a few of his subordinates don't know about viruses or internal preservation procedures, nor do they know what the law firm's regulations are for readers of preserved evidence, but Dans has other ways to make evidence disappear. After the robbery of Hannickle's astonishing collection of gold, silver and jewels, and the death of Sam, time passed so fast that he couldn't risk himself being involved in the crime. The robbery that was supposed to go according to plan turned into a disaster.At the same time that this rigorous plan fell apart, the plane fell from the sky again, and all offices and homes in the town suffered a blackout. The air crash just attracted everyone's attention and diverted their focus. The action in the morning left many sequelae, so it is a good thing to encounter this air crash.Air crashes are the perfect distraction.The entire town was without power, and many people rushed home in panic, leaving Barry Hill as a ghost town.Confusion and confusion are the perfect smokescreen for him to clean up what Sam has set in motion. His men would soon be entering the Icon Reiner facility to remove any video evidence that would implicate them in the case, even if it would burn the place down.As for Shams' personal lawyer Dance picked up the phone from his pocket.It was Sam's cell phone, which he had foolishly left behind at the scene of the robbery as he fled to the plane with the box in his hands.Dans opened it, found the address book, and found that Julia's company and mobile phone numbers had been set up, but Sam was unable to call her as originally planned, nor could he meet with her at the company to discuss the robbery follow-up. Dance selects her cell phone number and presses the dial button.What a convenience, this way, the caller will be identified as Sam.Drovers, the first step of the deception is already pre-determined. Mrs. Quinn? I am, who are you? I'm Sam from DSG Security Company.Drovers.Dance lied. Oh, you're Paul's brother, we haven't had a chance to meet yet. You must know why I called. Yes, she said: I can't figure out how they got in there. Did you see the tape?Dance tried not to act too hastily. Not yet, they destroyed the computer server at Hannik's house, and now I haven't returned to the office because of the plane crash and the power outage. Because of the power outage, you probably won't be able to see those files.Dance is thankful they were able to wipe the files from her office computer before she saw them. Don't worry, my PDA has a backup, the file is huge, but as long as I have access to a computer That was a real blessing.Dance lied again, trying to hide his anger. I've already called Shams.Just the thought of telling him the bad news makes me sad. So are we.Dance has completely absorbed himself in the role he plays.Did you call the police? We're not going to get the police involved until he agrees, Shams doesn't trust them. Smart move.Dance smiled and said: Are you in town?There was a long pause on the phone. I was supposed to be on that flight this morning. Really?Danse pretended to be sympathetic, but he actually hoped that things would go better with her body lying on that playing field now.This whole incident is so sad.Can we meet up?Dance continued: Maybe we can go find Shams together? I'll be out for a while now, but I'll be home later. We can talk this afternoon. call my cell phone or home phone number is I reached for a pencil, and Dance pretended to write down her house number, playing the part seriously.Speak! The phone number is 914, 273, 9296. 9296.write it down.Call me on this mobile number if you are free. Dance hangs up Sam's phone.He hates new technology. He would rather use a speech than write an e-mail, and would rather use a regular phone book and notepad than a computer. PDA He hates PDA even more now.How did technology get so advanced that there was a way to put surveillance video in a handheld device? Dance took out the radio and pressed the code.Listen, Dans said on the encrypted channel: Put down what you are doing and go to the lawyer of Iconliner, Julia.Quinn, she lives in Barry Hill.Pull up the DMV and find her car, she's out there somewhere now.Patrol her house, I don't care what you do, we have to find her anyway, or our happy life will be over soon. What happened to the box?A voice, heavily disrupted by static, came over the radio. Don't worry about that, that's my problem.You just do what I tell you to do.Repeat, Julia.Quinn, if you find her, never let her out of your sight, call me immediately.If she runs away, just shoot her. Julia hangs up her phone, glad to have someone else to help investigate the heist.Her mood today was like a roller coaster ride. She was glad that she escaped death, but also sad that so many people lost their lives. She was also sad because Shams' basement was burglarized and she couldn't contact him.But mostly she feels guilty about surviving.The heaviness weighed down as she sat by the gas station in Bedford Village. When Marcus drove over, she turned her head, and Nick jumped out of the car, rushed to her quickly, and hugged her tightly.Julia hugged him back as if she hadn't seen him in a month, and as she rested her head on his shoulder, tears welled up, all the confusion, all the joy of surviving, feeling the tragedy She poured out all the sadness she felt, and she almost left like this. The plane took away all the passengers sitting next to her. Listen, Nick said: I don't have time to explain, but we gotta get out of here now.Julia looked up and looked into his eyes.I love you. Nick's smile widened, and he put his hands behind her head, pulling her closer, and kissed her softly, a kiss that could express more than words. uh-huh.Marcus, who was standing next to the car, cleared his throat deliberately, trying to get their attention. Nick took Julia by the hand and led her to the Bentley. Hi Marcus.Julia said: "I didn't expect you two to come over together. Nice to meet you, Julia. Julia turned back to Nick.I have to go to Pond Hills to pick up a doctor to the crash site. Let someone else pick it up!Nick said suddenly. What about my car? Don't worry about that, we have to get you out of here first.Nick opened the car door and let her sit in the back seat. Why are you so nervous? Nick got into the front seat, closed the door, and turned to face her.It's about the Washington mansion robbery. How did you know about the robbery?Julia asked in surprise. Just when I heard the wind! This is unreasonable.Julia started the cross-examination mode in the spirit of a lawyer.How did you know?Nick was thinking hard, he didn't want Julia to know the truth, he didn't want her to know anything about the pocket watch in his pocket, and he didn't want to tell her that he was trying to prevent a murder that would happen in the next eight hours.He had already told her twice that someone was after her.Once in the kitchen at six-thirty, before she died, and again in her office at five-thirty, before they got into a shootout.Both times it proved that revealing this information would do nothing to save her. Me and Paul.Travers talked. How did you know Paul?Julia asked in surprise.Still in lawyer mode. I don't know him, he called home.Nick worries that he's lying too far.I chatted with him a little while introducing myself.He mentioned to me about the robbery.It was the truest lie Nick ever told Julia. That's weird, I just talked to his brother Sam a few minutes ago.Travers spoke on the phone.He wanted to meet with me to see the surveillance tape of the robbery that was stored on my PDA.Julia pulled out the PDA. What?Nick was shocked, he knew that Sam had crashed and died. Hearing these words, Marcus immediately started the car and started on the road.They drove the twisty section of Route 22, past lakes and forests and the occasional house, and he kept going at seventy miles an hour, going on and on. Julia, Nick turned to face his wife in the backseat.you listen to me carefully I don't like your tone, Nick, Julia said: You're scaring me, tell me what the hell is going on? Those bandits are after you and your PDA.Nick said: "I don't want to take any chances. Don't you think your imagination is too rich today?I'm fine.Julia flexed her arms like a boxing champion to show him. This is no joke, Nick yells: They will kill you! Don't yell at me, Julia retorted: Who's going to kill me?If you know who it is, call the police. Absolutely not, Nick cut her off.What Shams said was right, don't let the police get involved unless he allows it. how do you know?Julia watched Nick, and there was silence between the two of them, and they paused for a moment.I never told you about it. Yes, you have.Nick lied outright. Nick, Julia corrected him.Shams did say that, it was his principle, but I never told you, never told anyone.The only ones who know are the Drovers brothers, and Sam and I just talked about it about fifteen minutes ago. Julia, Nick looked gravely into Julia's eyes over the leather chair.Sam.Travers died in a plane crash, and I don't know who you talked to, but it wasn't Sam. For a moment Julia was speechless. The railway station at Barry Hill remains as it was in the early 20th century.The British style building, the ticket booth made of rough stone, the waiting room has a copper-green roof, and the green of the roof blends with the leaves of the big oak tree on the small parking lot.The old-fashioned platform is made of seventy-five-yard-long cedar planks. During peak hours, hundreds of passengers will be lined up here, and the sound of people's footsteps on the planks echoes constantly in the station. However, at this time, there was no one in the small station except for the old conductor. Marcus drove into the parking lot and parked directly in front of the ticket booth. what happened?asked Nick, who was sitting in the passenger seat. If you ask me for help, I can also ask my friends for help! Nick looked around and saw no one except the man at the ticket window.The express train to New York will be there in three minutes.The first stop would be New York Grand Central Terminal, where Ben and his men would wait for her on the platform.Of the people we know, who do you think you can trust her life to?Even if an entire army came looking for someone, Ben would have the means to protect her, let alone a bad cop or two. class.Taylor was Marcus's long-time friend, who had retired after twenty years of service (five years in Naval Special Forces, five years as Delta Commander, and the other ten years no one knew what he was doing).After retiring, he opened a consulting firm with Marcus' help, and he was the first and only friend Marcus kept in touch with after boot training.Taylor's small company has done well and won many contracts at home and abroad, and Marcus doesn't want to know too much about these.Marcus will continue to be interested in his actions, partly to collect some gossip that can make him play cool, mainly to play golf at the country club after the quarterly executive committee meeting, and share the experience of conquering women with each other talk. I'm not sure.Nick said hesitantly. Who taught you how to shoot?Marcus said in a challenging tone: Who helped you buy the pistol and license easily?Who are you willing to give your life to?It was Ben's suggestion to take the train, since he couldn't send someone over in an hour.This is your time limit, remember?He said that as soon as she got on the train, she would be taken directly to New York City. Marcus got out of the car, walked to the ticket booth, and bought a one-way ticket to Grand Central Station. He came back with the ticket and handed it to Julia.Listen, he's coming to this platform to find you, and you must know this guy; he's six foot four, redheaded, and super flirtatious.You met him at my wedding. Julia nodded with a smile, got out of the car and hugged Marcus silently, and Marcus hugged her back. You'll be fine, he's the one I trust the most.Marcus said. I was going to say this, you will take care of him, right?Don't let him do something stupid, okay?Julia pointed to Nick. It's not easy. what are you talking about!Nick asked. I want to go with you.Marcus looked at him, taking it for granted.Do you think I'll let you do that alone? I don't want you to wade into this muddy water. what are you saying?You have pulled me in. Nick couldn't deny it.but i want you to go with her I'll be fine, Julia said: just take a train Nick held out his hand to stop her from speaking. Why do you think I asked Ben to take care of Julia?Marcus said: "She is safe now, she is no longer in danger, you can concentrate completely, we can concentrate on business. The sound of the train approaching from the north. Julia took Nick's hands and looked into the depths of his eyes.I love you, I love you more than my life.Nick gazed at her with fear, worried that she wouldn't be safe in the car alone. I'll be fine.Julia squeezed his hand, the way her mother had comforted her when she was a child.You be careful. I will, I just want you to get out of here until I get this sorted out. You're going to pick me up because we still have things to talk about and life to go on. I'll be there by ten o'clock tonight, I promise.But I don't think we'll be able to have dinner with Moles. This is your plan to get away from dinner, isn't it?Julia smiled and said: I have something important to tell you when you come to pick me up, so don't be late. The train rounded the curve and came in towards the station. I won't be late.Nick accompanied her onto the platform. This should be for you, after Julia finished, she took out the PDA from her purse and handed it to Nick. Thanks.Nick stuffed it into his pocket. Remember what you promised me.She yelled at Marcus: Don't do stupid things. The train came into the station, screeching as it braked.After the door was opened, a gust of wind blew from inside the car to where they were standing. See you at ten.Julia said. Nick pulled her over and gave her a long kiss, and the love of a lifetime flooded both of them in an instant.The door beeps and is about to close.He reluctantly let her go.Ten o'clock, I will not be late.Nick said. Julia walked into the car, and the door that separated the two of them closed. I love you.Julia lip-talked from the other side of the car door. The train left the station. It's my job to protect the goalkeeper.Marcus said behind him. You are such an idiot. maybe!Marcus pulled on his tie and tucked the hem of his white shirt into his trousers.However, the idiot is now working for you. Horace.Randall is six months away from retiring.He has worked hard in the police force for twenty-five years. He hopes to save enough money to retire, but life is so helpless. His pension has been spent. In December, he will leave the police force, but the bank is full of money. Not even a dime deposit. He entered the police force at the age of twenty-eight, full of anger and resentment towards the society, and he wanted to bring justice to others.But in a system where there is no right or wrong, there are gray areas everywhere. After working like this for a few years, time has worn away the ambition of his youth.For the past ten years, he's just put on a show, written reports, and drank beer to get by. He never fired a gun while on duty, never chased a suspect, never experienced the legendary life of a police officer, and he lived a relaxed life anyway. When Danse first entered the police force ten years ago, he was in charge of mentoring him, taking him under his wing, teaching him the rules of the police world, and promoting him to become a police detective quickly.He was well aware of the side errands Dance took on in his spare time, as long as they didn't affect Randall.He wasn't a model cop, but he was a moral cop who would never expose his colleagues. Randall weighed two hundred and forty pounds. He had gained ten pounds a year for the past eight years, and the days of thirty-two were a distant memory.Some of the young cops thought he was wearing corner-frame glasses to be fashionable, but in fact he had been wearing the same frames since he was fifteen. After Dans learned about Randall's situation, he suggested a solution to his pension, as long as he had a rich bank deposit, he would be able to live comfortably for the rest of his life. Now, it's Randall's job to find Julia.Although they hadn't planned to go to her house until tonight, God knows what made Danse move up the schedule.It would have been easier if they had gone as planned. Everyone only knows that Randall is lazy, but most people don't understand that laziness can give birth to ingenuity; if necessity is the mother of invention, laziness is the father of invention.Randall didn't want to drive around looking for Julia when a lot could be done with just a few words on the keyboard. Although everything in Barry Hill is shut down, everyone still has to go shopping, eat and refuel.Faced with such a tragedy, life still has to be lived.Randall listed Julia as a missing person in the Northeast crash, emailing and faxing her photo to police stations and train stations in jurisdictions across the state line, as well as restaurants, gas stations and stores in the local and neighboring towns line number. She's a beauty, and the DMV photo must not go unnoticed.The person who received the information would definitely pay special attention, but he didn't expect that he would receive a call so soon.He was glad that in days like these, and times like these, the citizens of the county could still be united in times of catastrophe. The express train was almost empty.It's daytime, and few people are going in and out of the city, unlike rush hour, when you can't find a seat at all.There were only two other passengers in the car.An elderly lady in a Chanel suit, who appears to be heading to a Friday night social, is buried in a novel; a young man in a doctor's surgical gown is trying to sit up straight and stay awake reading a newspaper. Julia rarely took the train because it was inconvenient and restrictive, preferring to drive in and out of the city where she could listen to the radio and pass the time on her cell phone when she had time. When she finally sat down in her seat, she couldn't believe that she had been on Flight 502, even buckled up her seat belt and waited to take off.然而，現在的她卻坐在這輛火車上逃亡，那種幸運得救並逃過死劫的感覺真是短暫。 她永遠不會了解那些讓別人受苦受難的人心裡到底在想什麼，怎麼會有故意傷害別人的人呢？她從不曾擔心自己會有生命危險，不曾想過自己的死亡，但在不到兩個小時內，她發現自己從各種不同的角度去看死亡，這一切都讓她更加珍惜生命，更了解時間的可貴。生命真的是相當珍貴的東西。 馬可仕和尼克都叫她別擔心，但這反而讓她更擔心。她不知道尼克為什麼這麼害怕，但他們在一起的十六年來，除了閃電和坐飛機之外他什麼都不怕。她安撫自己害怕的心情，把一切全交給她的丈夫。他並不笨，甚至可說是聰明絕頂。他的才智不僅讓他事業成功，連生活也很得意。如果這世上有人能救她，能解決這些困難，那人就非尼克莫屬。 茱莉亞摸摸肚皮，她的肚子仍很平坦，但她感覺得到有個生命在她的子宮裡成長，她跟尼克的愛的結晶能讓他們永遠連繫在一起。不知道基因的吃角子老虎會怎麼運作？孩子會長得像尼克和茱莉亞嗎？也許這孩子會是兩人的綜合？金髮、褐髮，也許是紅髮？ 他們雙方家族都有紅髮。會是綠眼還是藍眼？但無庸置疑，這孩子一定會是個運動健將，他會跟隨父母的腳步。又或許不會，要是這孩子討厭運動怎麼辦？不管這個新生兒是怎麼樣，她都會很高興，因為這是他們的孩子，是他們新的生活重心，這個孩子將會改變兩人生活中所有的先後順序。 她本來計畫一見到尼克就要告訴他這件事，但要給他看那張偉大的超音波照片的驚喜已經泡湯了。馬可仕跟尼克一起出現，因此她的好消息只好等一陣子再說。 當她想著這一切時，火車突然慢慢停下來。茱莉亞看著窗外，突然聽到心跳的怦怦聲。他們停在半途，完全沒靠近任何車站。這列車是特快車，下一站應該是中央車站，他們應該會直接開進曼哈頓才對。 茱莉亞把頭伸出來，望著狹窄的走道，目光穿過兩節車廂之間的玻璃門，但她什麼也沒看到。茱莉亞祈禱著這只是火車事故，跟她無關，她希望這一切只是巧合，於是她又坐回座位上。車掌沒有宣布任何事，沒有人通知乘客現在是什麼狀況，剪票員也沒有現身，除了茱莉亞之外，沒有人在乎。 門一下子打開了，另外兩名乘客抬頭看了一下，但很快又回到自己的思緒中，埋頭看書或看報，完全不關心到底發生什麼事。 這不是巧合，茱莉亞蹲下，拿出手機。她有生以來不曾如此慌亂，她很想逃，她跑得很快，可以跑贏任何人。但她卻不知道該往哪個方向跑。 她撥快速鍵給尼克，求助的話語就要脫口而出。她的手機響著，響了又響，最後轉到語音信箱。 那個人來了，就站在她身旁。一個髮型很難看、戴著角框眼鏡、身材肥胖、呼吸沉重的中年人，肥大的手上拿著一張相片，先看看相片，再看看她。 嗨，茱莉亞．Quinn. 尼克讀著茱莉亞的PDA。他雖然打不開錄影檔案，但文件倒是能順利閱覽。他讀著漢尼寇存放在華盛頓大宅木箱內的物品清單。莫內、畢卡索、雷諾瓦和高登．格林斯的作品，各時期的世界名畫，古代到近代都有。古董和雕像數量龐大，種類也很豐富。 這份清單尼克已經讀過三遍，每次都大為驚異，這些收藏品足以跟最頂級的博物館一較長短。但他怎麼樣都找不到紅木盒。他將這個檔案以年分、種類、地點和時代來分類，但還是找不到任何有關那個紅木盒的內容。 有什麼東西重二十五磅、裝在兩英尺見方的紅木盒、又能讓百萬富翁不肯說出其價值？ 馬可仕搖搖頭，開著車穿過拜瑞丘後山的路朝市中心駛去。幾塊金條或許有那個重量，但跟高價相差甚遠，二十五磅的鑽石倒有可能價值上億。 I think so too. 你為什麼要找那個？ 因為山姆拿走那個東西，這場小劫案才會變糟。 沒有任何東西值得讓人為它而死。愛情例外，你對某人的感情如果夠強烈也許就會不一樣。 我不認為有人會為了自己想要的東西而死，他們內心總會認為自己可以活下來。 如果那東西在飛機上，現在很可能早就被燒掉了，誰在乎呢？馬可仕追問：問題是我們要怎麼找到那個丹斯？ 用誘餌。尼克舉高PDA。 我們抓到他之後要怎麼做？你怎麼知道不是全警局的人都是壞蛋？ 我認識一個我信得過的人。尼克打開手機撥號。 綠色福特和藍色賓利敞篷車迎面相對，停在拜瑞丘高中的停車場中央，一條半英里長的空曠區域是唯一的出入口。由於學校目前沒有人上課，加上一英里外的空難，這間學校也跟鎮上其他地方一樣空無一人。 Who are you?丹斯從綠色福特車上下來。 尼克瞪著他，壓下對這個人的憤怒和怨恨。這個人在未來企圖殺死他，也殺了二等兵馬納斯和保羅．卓弗斯，更是害死茱莉亞的主謀。 你一個人來嗎？Nick asked. 沒錯，不過你似乎不是一個人。丹斯看到站在賓利車旁的馬可仕。 尼克舉起PDA。Do you know what this is? 丹斯不發一語。 這是一份保全資料的拷貝檔，裡面有好幾段影片都照到你和你的朋友闖入華盛頓大宅搶劫。其實尼克除了一個尚未找到身分的模糊影像之外，根本沒看到丹斯或其他人，但丹斯並不知道這點。我想山姆搞砸了。 who?丹斯假裝不知道。 你記得山姆吧，那個找你幫忙的人呀！你不是很興奮嗎？這個山姆現在已經跟兩百多個罹難者的屍體一起躺在蘇利文運動場了。 那臺PDA，丹斯說：應該是茱莉亞．昆恩的PDA吧。 尼克不擅長面無表情，但他還是努力掩飾臉上的憎恨。 我有東西可以跟你交換。丹斯微笑著說：她人在我手上。 尼克感到放心，他知道茱莉亞正坐在往紐約的火車上，他有優勢。 搞不好是你犯的案。丹斯繼續施壓。 What? 你知道賄賂警官是重罪嗎？ 少來這套，沒有用的。 丹斯背對入口，所以沒看到身後有輛綠色吉普車開過來。那輛屬於軍隊的吉普車從丹斯身邊駛過，然後停下。二等兵馬納斯從駕駛座走下來，後面跟著三個身穿國民兵綠色軍服的人，他們腰上都配戴手槍，肩上掛著來福槍。 尼克很高興能看到這個年輕人還活得好好的。我是打電話給你的尼克．Quinn. 我不知道我們能做些什麼，昆恩先生。這不是我們負責的範圍，我們現在應該要在空難現場才對。 這件事不需要太長的時間。 你怎麼會認識我？馬納斯問：我不記得我有見過你。 柯隆尼．威爾斯給我你的手機號碼。Nick said.他知道自己只要提到長官，軍人就不會再問問題。尼克不告訴這人他會在未來給他電話號碼，對馬納斯來說，這個未來仍然不定，因為在下午結束前他就會死。尼克希望自己可以救人，希望能還給馬納斯一個未來。你是射擊課的高材生，剛拿到企管碩士學位，討厭做漢堡。He said. 馬納斯一臉驚訝，沒想到一個陌生人竟知道這麼多有關他的事。 你怎麼不快點坐上那輛小吉普車回去空難現場玩軍人遊戲？丹斯咬牙切齒。 那你怎麼不稍微注意一下你的言行？馬納斯反擊。 你在這裡沒有任何職權。丹斯反脣相譏。 這點州長會反駁你，憲法也一樣。根據州長的說法，我們在緊急情況下擁有州長授予的最高權利，在各地都可以管事。 我不需要聽你這個小兵鬼話連篇。丹斯說完便把手放在槍托上。 馬納斯立刻舉起來福槍，並扳開保險栓，其他三個國民兵也照做，他們都把槍口指著丹斯，這些拿槍的人不超過二十二歲，有生以來應該從不曾碰過這種情況。 如果你想挑戰權威，馬納斯對這位中年警察說：我建議你趕快打電話叫你同事過來，我跟你保證，如果你選擇拔槍，你就永遠不會知道答案。我的權力大過於你。 你干涉我的調查行動。丹斯怒視著四支瞄準他的槍管。 等你的手從槍上移開，我們就可以把事情弄清楚。 等著瞧。丹斯邊說邊看著馬納斯身後。也許我們可以用不同方式解決此事。兩輛警車從前面的路上駛來，引擎轟隆作響，閃燈旋轉，警笛在靜音狀態。他們緊急剎車，四個穿制服的警察跳出來，他們拔槍站在車門後面，擺出射擊的架式。 三名國民兵立刻蹲到吉普車後，把武器轉向那些警察。 放下武器。一個紅髮的巡警大喊：馬上放下。 馬納斯仍拿著槍瞄準丹斯。我是國民警衛兵馬納斯，紐約州長授權我們來處理案件，我們現在在這個鎮上的權力超越你們的管轄權。你可以用無線電確認。 放下武器。那位巡警又喊，瘦削的身子顫抖著。 緊張的氣氛仍在持續攀升，沒有人肯讓步，空氣中充滿濃濃的火藥味。警察和國民兵從車後彼此對望；馬納斯的槍始終瞄準丹斯的額頭，隨時能讓他一槍斃命；丹斯的手扣在手槍上方，蓄勢待發。 尼克和馬可仕則被困在中央。 快打電話去問！馬納斯大喊：免得有人犯下大錯。 這一刻充滿緊張的氣氛，時間滴答滴答地過去 紅髮巡警突然消失，他進入車內。其他三個警察仍留守在原地，跟國民兵一樣高舉著槍，沒有任何人退縮。 尼克和馬可仕交換了一下眼神，從沒想過會演變成這種局面。 那位巡警下車，平靜地從車子前面繞過來，他的槍在槍套裡，兩手垂在身側。 警探，布納哈特對丹斯說：這個人說得沒錯，我建議你不要拔槍。 丹斯眼中充滿憤恨，卻只能屈服。 現在，布納哈特警官說：有沒有人能告訴我這是怎麼一回事？ 華盛頓大宅今天早上發生了一起搶劫案，尼克說：丹斯警官就是犯案的主謀。布納哈特轉向丹斯。 are you sure?丹斯回說：這兩個人才是犯案主嫌，他們剛剛還想賄賂我呢。馬納斯和布納哈特將注意力轉向尼克。 這真是太荒謬了。尼克指著那輛福特，他知道裡面裝了什麼。你們檢查他的後車廂就知道了。 那你為什麼不檢查他們的車子？丹斯大吼，汗水從太陽穴滴落。 他們想拿價值一百萬的鑽石封我的口。 二等兵馬納斯和布納哈特警官面面相覷，思考著到底要怎麼做比較好。 你們兩個何不把鑰匙交給我們？馬納斯最後說。 布納哈特走向丹斯。抱歉，長官，我需要用到鑰匙。 丹斯拿出鑰匙，用力放到布納哈特手上，他氣呼呼地瞪著尼克。 馬可仕把手伸進口袋，等布納哈特走過來後把鑰匙交給他。 警察和年輕的國民兵沉默地望著他，布納哈特先走到福特車後，打開後車廂車蓋，他往內看時，身體擋住了大家的視線。他頓了頓，手伸進去一下，很快就蓋起來。他一言不發地走到賓利敞篷跑車這邊，打開後車廂，又看看裡面，也很快地蓋起來。他站在那裡片刻，輪流看著尼克、丹斯和馬可仕。然後又走向乘客座，打開車門，坐在豪華皮椅上，把鑰匙插進去，打開置物箱。他把手伸進小置物箱時，大家的視線因為被擋住所以看不到。 布納哈特從豪華跑車走出來，關上車門，拿出手銬。 他走向丹斯，以充滿歉意的口吻說：很抱歉造成您的困擾。 隨後，他轉向尼克。請把手放到身後。 What did you say?尼克望著馬納斯。 警官，你找到了什麼？馬納斯問。 請別讓現在的情況更難堪，布納哈特對尼克說，他強迫他轉身，戴上手銬。 布納哈特把鑰匙交給馬納斯。 馬納斯走向馬可仕的車，手伸進乘客座，打開置物箱，拿出一個小袋子。他解開那個小黑絨布包，裡面有一大把閃亮的鑽石。 你這個王八蛋，竟然故意栽贓我。馬可仕對布納哈特大罵，然後轉向丹斯。到底有幾個人替你辦事？這些人全都是跟你一夥的嗎？警官，你的廉潔到底值多少？他轉身對布納哈特大吼大叫。然後又轉向丹斯。你逃不掉的。 轉身。丹斯命令馬可仕。 你做夢，你這個禽獸。 丹斯抓住馬可仕的手臂，但他卻犯了大錯。雖然丹斯體格精壯、未滿四十，但馬可仕卻在盛怒之中抓住丹斯的手，瞬間給他個過肩摔，然後又把他拉過來，向他用力揮了一拳，強勁的力道打在丹斯的下巴上，一拳就把他擊倒在地。 馬可仕又握起拳頭，但馬納斯以槍托打中他的後腦勺，將他擊昏，倒在警探身旁的地上。 馬納斯轉向自己的手下，點頭示意他們上吉普車。terribly sorry.馬納斯對丹斯說。丹斯瞪著這個兼差的二等兵。也許你和你的同伴應該回去空難現場，讓我們自己處理這件事。 我向您道歉，警官。馬納斯說。 這名士兵對丹斯伸出手，想拉他起來，但丹斯不理會他的協助和道歉，兀自站起身，揉揉瘀青的下巴。 二等兵不再多說，他直接跳進駕駛座，迅速駛離。 布納哈特，你幫忙把他們帶進去。丹斯轉向另外三名警察。這裡接下來由我們處理就行了，快回去空難現場幫忙那些痛失親人的可憐家屬吧！ 三名警察轉身上車離開。 丹斯轉過來，靠近尼克的臉。 Does he know?Nick asked. 丹斯繼續瞪著尼克，沉默不語。 what do you know?布納哈特蹲在不省人事的馬可仕身旁，把他的手放到身後，戴上手銬。 尼克低頭看著這位年輕的紅髮警察，他身穿嶄新的藍色警察制服，尼克花了好幾分鐘才認出他是誰。我告訴你，伊森．丹斯警探打算把他後車廂內的重物綁在你的腳踝上，把你丟進凱斯克水庫淹死，然後 丹斯用槍敲打尼克的頭側，把他擊倒在地。 也許我是打算要把你丟進那個水庫裡。Dance said.又用力踢了一下已經頭暈目眩的尼克。 你到底跑到哪裡去了？才一下車，丹斯就大吼。 事情那麼多很難走開。布納哈特說。他關上身後那扇二十英尺高的大門走向車子後方。你有看到墜機現場嗎？It was horrific. 布納哈特打開後車廂，從車裡拿出兩大袋東西放進丹斯的後車廂裡。 我可能會被殺！丹斯繼續罵這名年輕的警察。 別緊張，我不是救了你嗎？布納哈特揮揮手。 那些鑽石在哪裡？ 布納哈特從口袋拿出黑色絨布包交給丹斯。 老天，要是有一顆鑽石不見了 你這樣跟剛救了你一命的人說話也太兇了吧！ 你給我小心點。丹斯指著布納哈特的臉。那是因為我聰明，知道要先把這些袋子從車裡拿出來，而且還知道要你帶人來救我。 Right.要是我後面那個男的知道你跟這個劫案有關就慘了，不知道還有多少人知道呢？布納哈特靠近丹斯，近到侵犯他的私人空間。還有，他剛剛說你會把我丟進水庫淹死是什麼意思？丹斯，你想殺我嗎？你想殺了我們全部嗎？我不認為你夠了解我。 你給我認真聽著，丹斯湊得更近。你要小心點，否則一毛也拿不到。 丹斯。布納哈特說：你可別忘了，他們是衝著你來的，又不是我。 你以為我會為你擋子彈嗎？你真不了解我。如果狀況變糟，我很可能真的會把你丟進那座湖。 布納哈特的臉色變得很難看，他鬥不過丹斯，只是靜靜地從腰帶上解下手槍交給丹斯。這是我從那個人身上拿到的。 幹得好，布納哈特。現在我們需要的指紋都在上面了。 尼克和馬可仕彼此相隔十英尺，面對面坐在一個陰暗的房間裡，唯一的光線來自不鏽鋼門底下的縫隙。兩人的手都被銬在後面，腳被綁在椅腳上。 Are you OK?Nick asked. 我沒事，我只是快氣死了，背又痛得要命。我一定要打爛那個打我的人的嘴。馬可仕大罵，他前後轉著頭，扭動手腳。do you know where we are 尼克看看四周，這是一片偌大的空地，牆邊有一堆板條箱，角落有一張桌子。這裡跟拜瑞丘其他地方一樣，沒有電力。 我們在一個陰暗的房間裡。尼克試著安撫他的朋友。 你這自以為聰明的傢伙。 這是一間倉庫。 real or fake?馬可仕誇張地說：大家都跑到哪裡去了？ 大家都在墜機現場或是家裡。 你知道我每年給警察退休基金會多少錢嗎？馬可仕低頭看著皺巴巴的襯衫和破掉的褲子。我以後再也不會給他們錢了。他們毀了我完美的襯衫和褲子。 尼克看看牆上的時鐘，一點五十分。 不要再看時鐘了，馬可仕說：再看時間也不會變慢。 尼克剩不到十分鐘能讓自己和馬可仕離開這裡，他接著又要跳回過去，留馬可仕獨自一人面對殘酷的丹斯。 尼克努力壓下罪惡感。他害最好的朋友陷入危險之中，他想救茱莉亞，卻讓朋友陷入險境。尼克不希望自己的手染上馬可仕的鮮血，只要一有機會，他就會想辦法救他出去，但他動作得快一點，如果他們繼續處在現在這種情況，就不大可能會有活命的機會。 丹斯從側門走進來，砰地一聲用力關上門。他沉默地走進房間，繞著兩個俘虜打轉，最後停在尼克面前，靠到他耳邊低語：尼克，你老婆在哪？ 尼克瞪著他，眼中燃燒著怒火。 我問你，丹斯轉向馬可仕。她在哪？還有誰知道這個劫案的事？ 馬可仕帶著嘲諷的笑容，就像笑臉貓特有的那個表情，他在談判桌上常用這種表情應付生意上的對手。 你有聽到我說的話嗎？丹斯突然火冒三丈。where is she?還有誰知道這個劫案？丹斯舉起拳頭，重重地打在馬可仕的鼻子上，這是馬可仕一生中第四次鼻梁斷裂。鮮血滴落，流到白襯衫和藍色愛馬仕領帶上。 我告訴你，馬可仕低語，完全不受剛剛那一拳的影響。你才要聽我說，懦夫。放開我的手我們再來較量，讓我看看你有多厲害。 丹斯又在馬可仕臉上多揍幾拳當作回應。 告訴我她在哪裡。丹斯對尼克吼，他拔槍對準他，氣氛緊張至極。認得你的槍嗎？ 丹斯突然轉身，把槍抵在馬可仕的頭上，把槍管擠進他的下巴底下。 告訴我你老婆在哪裡，否則我就斃了他。丹斯對尼克說。他不需要多做威脅，尼克從丹斯的眼神可以看出來，他說到做到。 尼克凝視著馬可仕，感到一陣心痛，他必須選擇誰生誰死。 馬可仕看著尼克，微微搖頭，笑了笑。那是個溫暖的苦笑，當尼克沒接到那顆能定輸贏的球時，馬可仕都會那樣對他笑。那是一種一切都會沒事，因為我們是好朋友的笑。每次，當馬可仕的妻子離開時，兩人就是這樣一笑置之。 OK!有種你就開槍！到時我一定會殺了你。尼克憤恨地說。 想太多，丹斯說：下一個就輪到你。 你他媽的尼克死命地在椅子上掙扎，脖子上青筋突起，雙手猛烈掙扎卻無濟於事。 nick.馬可仕輕喚。 你給我聽著，你這個爛人！尼克對丹斯大吼，不理會朋友的叫喚。 茱莉亞已經安全了。馬可仕輕柔的話語彷彿在懇求一般。 我要撕爛你的心臟！尼克對丹斯尖叫，拚命搖動椅子，感到滿滿的挫敗。 nick.馬可仕又低聲叫他，終於取得他的注意力，他希望能讓朋友鎮定下來，這麼輕柔的聲音實在跟他的性格完全相反。茱莉亞已經安全了。知道這點我就覺得很安慰，別為我擔心。 門緩緩打開，一名肥胖的男子站在門口，尼克認得他，他就是殺害茱莉亞的凶手的同夥。茱莉亞被殺時，就是這個人站在前門按電鈴轉移他的注意力，讓他無法保護她。 very good.丹斯的口氣放心了許多。 他扣下扳機，槍聲震天價響，馬可仕的頭往後爆開，鮮血四濺。 尼克的目光完全無法從他死去朋友的身上移開，子彈射穿他頭部的聲音在耳中迴盪不去，此時門口又傳來讓人血液凍結的叫聲。 尼克轉過頭去時，感到所有希望瞬間消失，所有努力都功虧一簣。他最好的朋友死了，他無力挽救，丹斯卻逍遙法外。 那個站在門口害怕得大聲尖叫的人，露出一臉驚恐的表情，那個人，是他從沒想到的人。 他看到茱莉亞無助地站在那裡時，心都要碎了。 隨後，整個世界化成一片黑暗。