The Singularity Race Read Online Free

“But don’t let them take Peter.”
    â€œNo one’s taking anyone.” Mullins urged them forward. “The kitchen’s just ahead. You’ll be safe there.”
    An emergency light burned in the ceiling beside double doors. Their upper halves were windowed to enable the staff to see if anyone was on the other side before pushing it open.
    â€œHold up,” Mullins whispered. “Let me go first. Put Peter behind you and then wait against the wall until I say it’s clear.” He drew his Glock and moved ahead of them, stepping to the left side of the door. He slowly pushed it inward with his left hand, leading with the Glock in his right.
    The large industrial kitchen was deserted, the workers having evacuated in search of a lighted area. Mullins turned his head to the hall. “All clear. Come on.”
    A muffled cry greeted him. He retreated through the door to see a man pulling Li back, his arm around her neck in a choke hold.
    â€œMr. Mullins,” her nephew cried, and he kicked the man’s shin as hard as he could.
    The assailant swatted at the boy with his other hand, a hand wielding a pistol. Then he raised the gun toward Mullins.
    Mullins flattened against the wall as the muzzle flashed. He felt a rip through his shoulder, but the shooter had turned away just enough to increase the angle between his head and Dr. Li’s.
    Mullins fired.
    The forty-five-caliber slug smashed through the man’s forehead. He dropped to the floor.
    Dr. Li tumbled forward. Mullins tried to catch her, but his left arm could only cushion her as they both fell into the kitchen. Peter scrambled after them.
    â€œStay down,” Mullins ordered. He felt blood pooling beneath him. He looked for the darkest corner.
    â€œYou’re hurt,” Li whispered.
    â€œYou and Peter crawl up under the work sinks over there.” He gestured with his gun. “Don’t make a sound.”
    Mullins held his position until they disappeared into the shadows. His shoulder throbbed like someone had dropped a burning ember on it. He edged closer to Li and the boy where he had a clear shooting angle on all three doorways. Ten minutes, he thought. If I can just hold out ten minutes, surely Lewison, the team, and hotel security will have ferreted out this scum.
    â€œMullins!”
    He recognized Nicole’s voice. Her shout came through the door they’d entered.
    â€œWe’re here. Come in slowly.” Mullins didn’t take the chance that she was held hostage and forced to call for him.
    The lights came back to a brightness rivaling an operating room. Nicole pushed through the door, her gun leading the way. Her eyes went first to the blood glistening bright red on the tile floor. She followed the trail to where Mullins lay prone in shooting position. Her face paled.
    â€œWe’re clear, Mullins.” Her lower lip trembled. “But Lewison’s dead. So are Brecht and Ahmad.”
    Lisa Li sobbed and Nicole spotted her and her nephew huddled beneath the sink.
    â€œThey’re safe?”
    â€œYeah.” His own voice sounded far away.
    â€œMan down in the kitchen,” Nicole barked into her lapel mike. “Man down in the kitchen. Get a medic here now!”
    The gun slipped from Mullins’ hand. He felt someone crawl next to him. He thought it was Nicole.
    â€œMr. Mullins. Please don’t die.”
    No, not Nicole. Not the scientist either.
    â€œI won’t,” he whispered to the boy. “We’ve got a ball game to see.”

Chapter Three
    Robert Brentwood’s cell phone vibrated for the fourth time in three minutes. He glanced down at his notes for a graceful way to shorten his remarks without slighting the expectations of his audience.
    The annual dinner of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce had been squeezed into his busy schedule nine months ago, and the gala had sold out when he’d agreed to be the keynote speaker.
    His