Chapter 10 - The Vault of Lies
The vehicle sped through the rain-drenched downtown streets, stopping in the service alley behind the abandoned Eastside Medical Archive. The historic brick building stood dark, its windows boarded up, save for a single flickering light on the third floor.
“Federal backup is ten minutes out,” Marcus said, checking the magazine of his sidearm. “Stay in the car, lock the doors, and don’t move.”
“I’m coming with you,” Sarah said without hesitation.
“Sarah, it’s a crime scene,” Marcus protested.
“Lily is asleep, the doors are bulletproof, and that woman is my sister,” Sarah stated, her eyes flashing with a mother’s unyielding ferocity. “You need someone who knows the layout of that building. My late husband worked maintenance here for five years. I know every corridor.”
Marcus stared at her for a long moment, recognizing that no force on earth would keep her in the car. He handed her a secure radio and a compact flashlight. “Stay behind me. No heroics.”
They slipped through the basement delivery hatch, ascending the rusted spiral staircase in near silence. The smell of must and decaying paper filled the air.
On the third floor, the smell changed sharply—the acrid tang of gasoline drifted through the hallway.
Marcus raised his weapon, rounding the corner into the archive vault. Piles of open file boxes were scattered across the floor, soaked in fuel.
Standing in the center of the room, wearing a cashmere coat stained with mud and soot, Bianca held a lit silver lighter above an open filing cabinet.
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“Step back, Bianca!” Marcus shouted, training his firearm on her.
Bianca laughed—a brittle, hysterical sound that echoed off the metal shelves. “You’re too late, officer. The files burn, or we all burn together.”
