Chapter 4 - THE SHADOWS OF LAKE MICHIGAN
The night air off Lake Michigan bit deep.
Our convoy rolled silently along Pier 42.
Luca stripped down the slide of his Sig Sauer.
"Two minutes out," Marcus muttered.
"Heat signatures show two individuals in Warehouse B."
Luca slipped the pistol into his holster.
"When we breach, you stay in the vehicle."
"Vanessa knows me," I argued.
"If you storm in, she'll use Sophie as a shield."
"I walk in first. It buys you three seconds."
Luca's jaw clenched.
"Fine. Keep this panic button in your pocket."
The SUV stopped behind rusted containers.
I stepped out onto the damp gravel.
Warehouse B loomed ahead.
A single dim light burned upstairs.
I walked across the empty lot alone.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
I pushed the side door open.
I crept up the metal staircase.
Voices echoed from above.
"The cargo ship leaves for Rotterdam in four hours," a man snapped.
Vanessa hissed, "Arthur panicked too early."
I peeked around the metal wall.
Sophie sat in a metal chair, clutching her suitcase.
A burly man stood over her.
I pressed the panic button twice.
"Good evening, Mrs. Bellini," I said.
Vanessa spun around.
The burly man drew his revolver.
"Stay right there, kid!"
He pointed the barrel at my chest.
Heavy combat boots thudded up the stairs.
"Worse," Luca's voice echoed like a bell.
The burly man grabbed Sophie by the collar.
"Drop your weapons or the kid dies!"
May you like
Vanessa shouted, "Step into the light, Luca!"
I stood frozen in terror.
