Not following the plan

Right. Lucien walked up to the large collection of microphones and took a deep breath. You are Lucien fucking Reynolds, he reminded himself. You’re going to do this and get your woman back.

**********

Back at Mark’s home, the pressure was thick. The three of them were glued to the TV, barely able to breathe.

“This is it,” Damian said as they watched Lucien walk to the podium. “You think he’s got it?”

“I know he’s got it,” Mark said.

“He has to,” Tracy added. “Everything is riding on this.”

“It’s going to be okay,Tracy. You’ll see. Captain Whitlock already has people in position. As soon as the announcement is made, he’ll give them the signal to move in.”

**********

Lucien could feel every eye on him. Mark, Tracy, and even Damian’s were on him as well. It was unnerving, but somehow empowering at the same time.

“Hello everyone,” he said into the microphones. “If you’d give me your attention, I’d like to begin.”

The unrest among the press died down and their rapt attention was his.

Lucie