Hostages of Hate Read Online Free Page B

he jumped. "Cool off," a voice whispered in his ear. He turned to see Joe's grinning face.
    "Saw you walking off, and you didn't look like you were heading for the John."
    Frank quickly explained the situation with Gustave. "I think he's connected with ANWO. The only problem is, how do we prove it?"
    Joe's grin got wider. "I've got a way." Frank's eyes continued to follow Gustave as his brother whispered in his ear. Both Hardys grinned at each other. Then Joe faded into the crowd as Frank continued tailing Gustave.
    Gustave Villen slipped into a quiet stairwell, ready to disappear from the conference. He was completely unprepared when the door banged open again, hitting him in the back. He staggered forward, nearly tumbling down the stairs.
    Gustave whirled around to confront the cold, furious face of the guy his crew had filmed. "I - I'm sorry about the interview, Monsieur Hardy." His voice went high with fright. "It's my job — "
    "Shut up, creep." Frank Hardy had cut him off. "I know you've got some kind of connection with those guys on the plane. I'm going to find out what it is."
    "I don't know what you're talking about," Gustave protested. "I'm a Belgian citizen, working for EuroNews — "
    "That's no EuroNews tag on your chest," Frank said, breaking in. "I saw you sneak into that news office and plant a tape. If we play it, I bet we'll find ANWO's list of demands. You're working for them. And you're going to tell me all about it, right?"
    Gustave realized he couldn't deny the accusation. He didn't even try. His eyes went cold, and a gravity blade appeared in his hand.
    One flick of his wrist, and the four-inch knife blade clicked into position. Then he lunged forward, giving Frank Hardy his answer — an overhand stab, aimed straight at his chest!

Chapter 5
    CAUGHT OFF GUARD, Frank had just a second to respond. He threw himself to one side just before the knife point reached his chest. The desperate jump left him off balance. He went down on his right knee, then leaped to both feet again.
    The force of Gustave's thrust actually sent the knife into the metal door, scoring the paint. But Gustave recovered quickly and whirled around, his back to the door.
    He blocked Frank's path back to the safety of the convention floor.
    Gustave grinned. He had him now. If Hardy tried to head down the stairs, he'd have Gustave's knife at his undefended back all the way down. He could try to back off from Gustave and take the stairway up to the next floor. But he'd be slow moving backward—and if he turned to run, he would again present Gustave with an undefended target.
    And even if he made it to either floor, he couldn't escape. The doors were locked. Gustave's associates had taken care to leave open only the one stairwell door and the door to the underground parking lot.
    Full of confidence, Gustave advanced. He'd herd this Frank Hardy back until he had him in a corner. Then he'd silence him—permanently— and be on his way.
    Frank Hardy gave ground slowly but steadily. From Gustave's crouch and the way he handled his weapon, Frank could see that the Belgian knew his way around knives.
    Even in the half-light of the emergency stairs, the blade of Gustave's knife glittered.
    Frank tried to circle around Gustave, but there wasn't enough room to maneuver on the cramped stairwell. Gustave slashed at Frank, forcing him back again. Then he laughed. "Non, non, Monsieur Hardy. You don't want to rush back to the seminar now. Not until we have finished our little tete-a-tete."
    I'm running out of time—and room, Frank thought. He faked left, and as Gustave moved to block him, he jumped to the right, onto the stairs leading up to the next floor.
    Frank scrambled up the stairs, grabbing for the handrail. Gustave charged after him, his knife at the ready. Got to time this just right, Frank told himself, casting a glance over his shoulder. Gustave had just gotten into the perfect position for Frank to attack. With both hands on the railing,