Chapter 13 - The Showdown at the Docks
Julian took a slow, silent step into the damp interior of Unit 402.
The two operatives were distracted, frantically rummaging through an open metal filing cabinet, tossing folders onto the concrete floor in a chaotic search for the master tape.
"Check the floorboards!" the first man barked, kicking a stack of old accounting books aside.
Julian raised the iron pipe, closed the distance between himself and the nearest guard, and brought the heavy metal down in a swift, calculated arc.
The guard crumpled instantly, collapsing onto the concrete without a sound.
The second operative whipped around, his eyes widening in shock as he drew a heavy hunting knife from his belt.
"You're dead, Vance!" the man snarled, lunging forward with the blade gleaming under the dim overhead bulb.
Julian ducked beneath the wild swipe, spinning around and driving his shoulder into the man's chest, sending him crashing backward into a tower of cardboard boxes.
Boxes tumbled down like an avalanche, burying the guard beneath a mountain of old tax documents and ledger books.
Julian didn't hesitate. He dropped the iron pipe, rushed over to Lucy, and ripped the duct tape from her mouth.
"Are you okay?" Julian asked breathlessly, quickly untying the ropes binding her wrists to the wooden chair.
Lucy rubbed her raw wrists, gasping for air, but her eyes were sharp and entirely fearless.
"I’m fine," Lucy whispered urgently. "They didn't find the real tape. It’s taped beneath the bottom drawer of that filing cabinet."
Julian reached down, sliding out the bottom metal drawer of the cabinet in front of him.
Taped securely to the underside was a small, pristine microcassette, untouched by the chaos.
Julian ripped it free just as the distant wail of police sirens began to echo across the rainy harbor.
Lucy stood up, looking at Julian with a profound sense of triumph.
"The police?" Julian asked, surprised.
"I managed to trip the silent alarm on my phone before they taped my hands," Lucy said with a grim smile.
May you like
Suddenly, a loud click echoed from the doorway.
---
