Beep.
The sound echoed through the sanctuary.
Soft.
Steady.
Relentless.
Anthony raised his pistol and swept the room.
"Nobody touch anything."
Beep.
Beep.
Mercer listened carefully, turning his head from side to side.
"It's coming from the desk."
Benjamin hurried to the old wooden desk beneath the cassette recorder.
He pulled open the top drawer.
Nothing.
The second drawer.
Only faded letters and old photographs.
Then he opened the bottom drawer.
The beeping grew louder.
Inside was a small black metal box, no larger than a hardcover book.
A digital display glowed red.
09:58
The timer was counting down.
Evelyn's heart raced.
"Is it a bomb?"
Anthony knelt beside the box but didn't touch it.
"I don't know."
Mercer leaned closer.
His expression changed.
"No."
"This
