Chapter 13 - The Final Stand
Julian didn't hesitate. As Marcus lunged forward with the knife, Julian ducked beneath the arc of the blade, driving his shoulder hard into Marcus’s midsection. The larger man grunted, crashing backward into a stack of empty wooden crates that splintered into a cloud of dust.
Arthur drew his Glock, aiming directly at Evelyn.
“Drop the detonator, Evelyn! I won't hesitate!” Arthur yelled, his hands trembling as he tracked her movements.
Evelyn didn't even flinch. She reached into her red dress and pulled out a small black remote control with a blinking red LED light.
“You forget, Arthur, the warehouse is wired with industrial explosives,” Evelyn said calmly, her thumb resting on the primary button. “If I die, this entire pier goes up in flames, taking you, your brother, and your precious little niece with me.”
From the floor, Marcus kicked out hard, catching Julian behind the knee and sending him crashing onto the concrete floor. Marcus mounted Julian instantly, raising a heavy fist to strike him across the face. Julian blocked the first blow with his forearm, feeling the bone grind in protest, but managed to hook his legs around Marcus’s neck, squeezing with all his remaining strength.
Arthur kept his gun trained on Evelyn, his finger white-knuckled on the trigger, sweat pouring down his face as he calculated the impossible odds.
“You’re insane,” Arthur breathed, his voice barely audible over the hum of the overhead lights.
“I’m survival personified,” Evelyn corrected, pressing her thumb harder against the plastic detonator casing.
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Before Evelyn could depress the button, a loud, metallic screech echoed from the high ceiling above them. The rusted warehouse roof panels groaned loudly, and a blinding beam of white light cut through the gloom from an unexpected direction.
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