Chapter 37Beijing, the near future
Alex had always wondered how he would react if faced with a real crisis. His kidnapping to Vladivostok had given him the answer—not well. But in that short time, he had become a different person, or perhaps more of his true self. He was tired, he was hungry, he was sick of the whole game, he was impatient. He wished he were someone else somewhere else enjoying the pleasures of an ordinary day. He also knew that what he did now was going to determine if he had a future. He needed to react slowly, quickly—that didn’t matter so much as smartly.
Just then a fan gave him the opening he needed. “May I have an autograph,” she asked, approaching him, oblivious to the drama going on behind his back.
“Of course,” Alex shouted. “Who else wants an autograph?” As f
