Chapter 11 - No One Leaves the Lake
“I want the drive,” Voss said. “And Colonel Hale's old apology isn't going to save you.”
Olivia placed herself between him and Ellen. “You knew where she was this whole time.”
“Of course. She was our insurance.”
Maya held her weapon low but ready. “You are interfering with an active criminal investigation.”
Voss laughed. “You think a badge matters down here?”
“It will when your men testify.”
One contractor glanced toward the stairs. Olivia saw the hesitation. He'd expected frightened civilians, not an investigator who was already cataloging every face.
Olivia lifted the waterproof case. “This what you came for?”
Voss nodded, hungry despite himself.
She opened it. Empty.
His smile died. “Where is it?”
“Somewhere your boss can't burn.”
Maya had handed the device to Shaw's courier an hour earlier; two signed evidence receipts now existed in separate jurisdictions. Voss didn't know that, and Olivia meant to keep him uncertain.
“You're bluffing.”
“Ask Kessler.”
At the name, Voss lunged. A contractor grabbed his arm. “Major, we're not paid to hurt civilians.”
“Then get out,” Voss snarled.
The contractor backed away, eyes wide. Maya used the opening to usher Ellen toward a side corridor. A second man blocked it. Ben slammed a wheeled cart into the doorway; metal shelves clattered, forcing the man aside.
“Go!” Ben shouted.
They ran into an old flood-control tunnel. Water seeped through cracks in the walls. Maya radioed their location, and for two desperate minutes all they heard was static.
Olivia remembered the layout from Mara's handwritten map. “The eastern outlet should reach the lake road.”
Ben limped behind them. “Should?”
“Would you rather stay?”
A steel gate blocked the outlet. Ellen sank against the wall, short of breath. Olivia knelt to help her while Maya fought the corroded latch.
Then a voice came from the other side of the gate.
“Olivia Mercer,” it said. “Open up. I'm with the colonel.”
May you like
The voice belonged to Ethan Briggs.
THE MARK THEY TRIED TO ERASE •
