Part 29 (1/2)

”Let's just say you wouldn't want to be anywhere within fifty feet of them when they go off. You can throw them, and they'll explode on impact, or you can set them on a timer to detonate when you choose.

I would suggest the latter method, unless you're the Baseballer. I've included a remote trigger for you, or you can set the time on the bomb itself and watch it count down, just like in the movies.”

Jasper demonstrated how to arm the bomb and made me do the same. When he was convinced I sort of knew what I was doing, he pulled another device out of the bag. This one was shaped like a pineapple.

”And this is the big bang. The boom-boom if you will. This bomb has enough explodium in it to level a KarmaGirl.

building- something Lulu said you might be interested in.”

”You've got that right.” I'd like nothing better than to destroy the Triad's lair, after I'd saved Striker and the others.

”Again, it has a remote trigger or you can set the timer.”

Jasper showed me how to operate the device and made me repeat the steps back to him.

”And that concludes my business here. Enjoy.” He winked at me. ”Don't blow yourself up, Carmen.

You're becoming one of my best clients.”

I wasn't sure what to say. I'd never thought I'd be on a bomber's preferred client list. Although, if he gave me a discount, it might be worth it.

Lulu handed Jasper a thick brown envelope. ”Thank you for your speedy a.s.sistance, Brother Jasper.

Have a good evening.”

Jasper pocketed the envelope. ”You girls have fun. Try not to destroy too much of the city.”

He opened the van door, got out, and shut it behind him.

”How much money did you give him?” I asked.

”Two hundred fifty thousand dollars. He wanted an even half million, but I talked him down.”

”Lulu!” I closed my eyes. My nest egg looked like a single chicken feather compared to that dollar amount. A moldy, moth-eaten feather. ”I don't have that kind of money. I'll never be able to pay you back. Not in a million years.”

Lulu waved my hand. ”I told you. The next three favors are on me, remember? Besides it's time somebody taught Malefica and her crew a lesson.”

The hard tone in her voice caught my attention. ”What do you mean by that?”

Lulu stared at her legs. And I just knew.

”Malefica's the reason you're in that chair,” I whispered.

Lulu nodded. Her black hair bobbed back and forth. ”Five years ago, the Triad broke into the Complete Computer Company. They wanted the company's new microchip. I was there doing an interns.h.i.+p. The Fearless Five showed up, and a big battle ensued. In the confusion, Malefica grabbed me. She used me as a human s.h.i.+eld so she and the Triad could get away. We went up to the roof, and Malefica forced me into a helicopter. We took off and hovered over the building. The Fearless Five came out on the roof.

And-”

”And Malefica dropped you out of the helicopter,” I finished.

”Striker tried to catch me, but he missed. I didn't fall that far, maybe twenty feet, but I broke my back and messed up my spinal cord. Hence the wheelchair.”

I put my hand on Lulu's arm. ”I'm so sorry. Why didn't you tell me before?”

Lulu shrugged. ”It didn't matter. You can't change what happened. n.o.body can.” Her dark eyes drilled into mine. ”But Malefica needs to pay for what she's done. Not only to me, but to you, to the Fearless Five, to every person she's ever hurt or used or manipulated. If you're going to go after her, I'll help you any way I can.”

Lulu handed me a folder filled with papers. ”I got the original blueprints from city hall just like you wanted. You were right. Malefica had tampered with a set I found online. I also found an old-timer who worked at the ice cream factory for over thirty years. He said the best way in and out of the plant is through this loading dock here. From your description, he figures Malefica's office is there, and the computers and the Fearless Five are probably here.” She pointed to the locations on the map. ”See these Xs? If you place your bombs there, you should be able to bring down the whole building. Jasper was KarmaGirl.

kind enough to mark the structural hot spots for me.”

”Thanks, Lulu.” I stuffed the papers into the bag with the bombs. ”Now, I want you to promise me something.”

”What?”

”If I don't make it back-”

”You will. You'll be fine,” Lulu protested.

”Be real. I'm going up against three of the world's most vicious ubervillains. I have a very, very slim chance of survival. I have a better chance of winning the lottery, and I don't even play. The most I can hope for is to free a member of the Fearless Five and hope he or she can get the others out.”

”I have faith in you, Sister Carmen. You've made it this far. You'll find a way to survive.”

”Thanks for the vote of confidence. But if I don't make it out, I want you to expose Morgana Madison.

Tell the whole world she's really Malefica, but do it anonymously. She's already discredited me, and I don't want her to come after you too.” I pulled a CD out of my jacket and handed it to Lulu. ”All the information you need is on here. Photos, doc.u.ments, the money trail. Leak it to The Chronicle and SNN first. They'll eat it up. It'll go national in five seconds. We can have our revenge, one way or the other.”

”It'll be my pleasure.” Lulu palmed the disc. ”Take care, Sister Carmen. Good luck.”

”Thanks,” I said. ”I'll need it.”

I got out of the van and shut the door behind me. Lulu cranked the motor and drove away. I watched the taillights fade into the dark night, carefully picked up the bag of bombs, and walked to the borrowed Aston Martin. The bag went in the back, while I slid into the front seat.

Ten minutes later, I steered the car off the side of the road. The ice cream factory towered in the distance about a quarter mile away. I drove the car into the woods where it couldn't be seen, parked, killed the headlights, and got out. The ground felt moist and springy underfoot, and the scent of pine trees and sap tickled my nose. A crescent moon hung like a silver lantern in the sky. It might be the last moon I'd ever see. I shoved that unpleasant thought aside.

I grabbed the swords and scabbard, took off my leather jacket, and tossed it in the car. The night air chilled my skin, but I had no doubt that I'd soon be much, much colder. I strapped on the scabbard and put the two swords into their slots. The weapons felt odd on my back. I picked up the black duffel bag and eased it over my shoulder.

I walked through the woods toward the ice cream factory. A few bugs chirped in the deep shadows.

Bullfrogs bellowed, and owls hooted in the treetops. Dry leaves crackled under my sneakers, their earthy aroma mingling with the sticky sap of the pine trees. The sounds and smells of the woods comforted me.

I was a country girl at heart, no matter how long I'd been in the big city.

I reached the edge of the woods, crouched down, and peered through the trees. The ice cream factory towered above me. With its shattered windows and graffiti-covered walls, the building looked like it belonged in the middle of a war zone. I stopped where I was, looking, listening. Nothing moved outside the building, and I couldn't detect any noise or movement inside.

I checked the swords on my back and the bag slung over my shoulder one more time. Everything was in place. It was now or never.

I crept forward.