Dumas had exited the bakery in time to see Chester’s finale.  For a moment, he forgot about their perilous situation and came to a complete halt, captivated by the dragon’s spectacular demise.  Back at the club, he always relied on DEE’s sensors to help him see through Chester’s illusions.  But now, using nothing except his own eyes, he was as hoodwinked as the rest of the audience.  Indeed, when Chester suddenly appeared beside him, Dumas nearly jumped out of his skin.<br/><br/>Recovering quickly, Dumas listened to Chester’s preparations.  The boobytrap by the door didn’t suprise him -- hidden trickery seemed exactly like the magician’s style.  But Dumas’s eyebrows lifted when his companion produced a stun gun.  He hadn’t pegged Chester as the type of person capable of directly shooting someone.  “My dear Ches,” Dumas murmured approvingly.  “I do love a man who’s prepared.”<br/><br/>Before Dumas could say more, the voice on the other end of the phone finally spoke in his ear.  But the man’s words only earned a snort of contempt.  “Sorry Jack.  I doubt you have the authority to give me what I want, and I really hate repeating myself.  Have the big guy call me when he’s ready to deal.”<br/><br/>With that, Dumas hung up and tucked the phone back in his pocket.  Then he gave Chester a hearty slap on the shoulder.  “Should be a few more coming out any minute.  I love it when the ants begin to panic.”  Although Dumas performed his official security duties with skilled professionalism, it was clear that he didn’t enjoy them like he was enjoying himself now.  Real danger got his blood pumping.  And it provided a perfect distraction from his suffocating guilt and heartbreak.<br/><br/>Dumas tensed as three men exited the building, eager to see if any of them would trigger Chester’s little trap.