Twenty-SixFor all of its horror and sadness, the minister's immolation achieved his goal. Vance was just outside the theater door when Paul threw it open. The burned cop raised a blistered hand and told the professor, “Get back, Paul. As far back as you can. All of you.”
Paul ushered Angela and Norene to the center of the theater, hesitated there, then moved them back to the stage, clearing the entrance. Vance hurried the satchel into the theater, closed the door behind him, and fell against it. Paul and Angela started toward him.
“No! Stay back!” Vance caught his breath with difficulty and lifted the satchel again. “Stay back.” He moved, staggering, reached the center of the open floor and dropped the canvas bag. Then, drawing on reserves of strength he did not know he possessed, Vance
