Chapter 15 - Under the Harbor Lights

The building in Amina's photograph was an abandoned customs office overlooking the old harbor. I'd seen it from Pier Seventeen that morning.

Torres moved teams into position. Vale coordinated with local authorities. Ben stayed behind with the drive and a half dozen people who knew how to make evidence disappear from the wrong hands and survive in the right ones.

"Don't improvise," Torres told me.

"I'll try not to."

"That wasn't a suggestion."

We entered through a rear loading door, stepping around buckets and broken glass. Upstairs, a generator hummed. I heard a muffled cry.

Amina sat tied to a chair. Kessler stood behind her, holding a small radio. He looked almost disappointed to see Torres with me.

"You brought the law," he said.

"You kidnapped a witness," Torres replied. "That tends to happen."

He smiled. "You think this ends with me?"

"I think you're out of options," I said.

Kessler pressed a button. Somewhere below us, an alarm chirped. A red light began flashing beside the generator.

"You have thirty seconds to choose," he said. "Take me, or save her."

I didn't need to see the device to understand the threat. Torres called for the bomb squad and ordered everyone to clear the building. Kessler backed toward a side staircase, believing I'd chase him.

Instead, I went to Amina.

"You always pick the wrong person," Kessler shouted.

"No," I said. "I pick the person."

I cut Amina's restraints with the small safety blade Torres handed me. We moved toward the exit as officers covered the staircase. Behind us, Kessler disappeared into the dark.

The alarm grew louder. Amina stumbled, her legs numb. I lifted her arm over my shoulder. My old injuries screamed, but we kept moving.

We made it to the street seconds before a thunderous blast shook the building. Windows burst outward. Dust rolled across the asphalt.

Torres counted her people. Everyone was out.

Then her radio crackled: "Suspect Kessler is down. Commander Grant is on scene. He says he's taking custody."

Vale's voice cut through the static, furious.

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"Grant isn't authorized. Stop him!"

THE SCARS THE ADMIRAL REMEMBERED