Chapter 11 - The Warehouse
I did not go alone.
I also did not arrive with an army.
This wasn't a military operation.
It was a criminal kidnapping on American soil.
Local and federal law enforcement handled the arrest authority.
I gave them what I knew.
Then I helped them understand the building.
The old storm tunnel ran beneath the east loading dock.
Dad had installed it after flooding in 1998.
At 7:16 p.m., officers entered through the tunnel.
I stayed with the command team.
Every instinct in me wanted to go inside.
But discipline means knowing when your presence makes things worse.
Three minutes passed.
Then five.
Then—
"Movement."
A voice came through the radio.
"Two suspects."
Another pause.
"Victim located."
My fists tightened.
Then gunfire cracked through the radio.
Moments later—
"Suspect down. One fleeing north."
"Victim?"
"Alive."
I closed my eyes.
Dad was alive.
Then someone shouted outside.
I turned.
A black SUV exploded through the warehouse gate.
Charles Vane.
Police vehicles moved after him.
But another car appeared behind us.
It stopped.
The driver's door opened.
Derek stepped out.
I stared at him.
He should have been with investigators.
Instead, he was standing twenty yards away.
He raised both hands.
"Daniel!"
"What are you doing here?"
"I can help."
"How did you get out?"
"They released me pending further investigation."
He looked terrified.
"Vane is going to kill me."
I almost laughed.
"You burned Dad's office."
"Nolan did."
"Because you paid him."
Derek shook his head.
"You don't understand."
"Then explain."
He stepped closer.
"Vane owns everything."
"No."
Derek swallowed.
"Not everything."
May you like
He pulled a small black ledger from inside his jacket.
"This does."
