Chapter 8 - The Empty Warehouse
Avery wouldn't let Mercer follow her through the gate. “Stay where you can see both exits. Ruiz, call the number on the map if I'm not back in five minutes.”
“There's no number on the map,” Ruiz said.
“Exactly. Make sure nobody comes in pretending there is.”
She crossed the yard alone. The warehouse smelled of machine oil and damp cardboard. Its center was empty except for a folding table, an old television, and a sealed envelope addressed in Emma's handwriting.
The television came on when she approached. Emma appeared on-screen, thinner than Avery remembered, a bruise yellowing beneath one eye. She spoke quickly.
“Ave, if you're watching this, they know about the card. Don't give it to Rourke. He's trying to help, but he doesn't know the whole thing.”
Avery's heart pounded. “Emma?”
The image continued without reacting. Recorded, not live.
“The number is a time, not a location. Two fourteen, six minutes past. The system sends a report then. Find the inspection archive before they wipe it.”
The screen went dark. Avery opened the envelope. Inside was a small photograph of two children on a porch, laughing with their father. Behind it were three names and a single stamped phrase: AUTHORIZED RELEASE.
A crash sounded outside. Avery ran to the loading dock and saw Ruiz on the ground, struggling to rise. Mercer wrestled with two black-clad guards at the gate, using restraint holds instead of striking. A third guard raised a weapon toward his back.
“Mercer!” Avery shouted.
The guard turned toward her. Someone fired from the warehouse roof. The guard dropped his weapon and dove behind a dumpster.
Across the street, Rourke stood with a rifle pointed safely downward. He called to Avery, “Your sister wasn't here to be rescued.”
May you like
He glanced at the envelope in her hand.
“She was here to recruit you.”
