Chapter 12 - The Girl in the Warehouse
They found Lily's location within twenty minutes.
An abandoned warehouse near the river.
Dominic wanted to go alone.
Norah refused.
“No.”
“You stay here.”
“She was taken because of me.”
“Exactly.”
“I am going.”
Dominic stared at her.
Then nodded.
They entered the warehouse through the rear.
No guards.
No cameras.
Too quiet.
“It's a trap,” Norah whispered.
“I know.”
They continued.
A light flickered overhead.
Lily was tied to a chair.
Valerie stood behind her.
“Hello, Norah.”
Norah stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
Valerie smiled.
“You always were difficult.”
Dominic raised his weapon.
“Release her.”
“You don't give orders anymore.”
Valerie pointed toward the upper balcony.
Dominic looked.
His father's men surrounded them.
Valerie laughed.
“You lost.”
Dominic slowly lowered his gun.
Norah whispered:
“Dominic…”
“It's fine.”
Valerie walked toward them.
“You ruined everything.”
“You did that yourself.”
“You chose her.”
“Yes.”
Valerie's face twisted.
“Why?”
Dominic looked at Norah.
“Because she tells the truth.”
Valerie stared.
Then she pulled out a small remote.
“One press.”
Dominic's eyes hardened.
“What does it do?”
“Explosives.”
Norah's heart stopped.
Valerie smiled.
“You have ten minutes.”
Dominic stepped forward.
“What do you want?”
“You.”
Valerie pointed at him.
“You walk into that room and surrender.”
“And then?”
“I leave.”
“You'll kill Lily.”
Valerie smiled.
“No.”
She looked at Norah.
“I'll kill Norah.”
Dominic's expression changed.
Valerie had made one mistake.
She had underestimated Norah.
While everyone watched Dominic, Norah quietly reached behind her.
She had stolen a small knife from a guard earlier.
One cut.
The rope loosened.
Lily noticed.
Norah shook her head.
Wait.
Dominic suddenly threw his gun.
It struck the overhead light.
Darkness swallowed the warehouse.
Gunfire erupted.
Norah cut Lily free.
They ran.
Dominic fought through the guards.
Valerie disappeared.
Then the explosion countdown began.
08:00
Norah looked at Dominic.
“We need to get out.”
He shook his head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because Valerie left something behind.”
He pointed toward a metal case.
Inside was a ledger.
The original ledger.
Norah stared.
Dominic opened it.
The final page contained one name.
ELENA BENNETT.
Beside it:
STATUS: ALIVE.
Norah stopped breathing.
“My mother?”
Dominic looked at her.
“If this is real…”
A voice came from behind them.
“It is.”
Norah turned.
Valerie stood there.
May you like
And beside her was Norah's mother.
Alive.
