Chapter 14 - One Hour
The video spread in six minutes.
News stations picked it up. Police scanners exploded. Social media accounts reposted clips before the original finished uploading.
Julian's lawyers called.
The mayor's office called.
A federal agent Julian had known for years called twice.
He answered none of them.
"We give him a copy," Maya said.
Derek shook his head. "He'll know."
"Then we give him the real drive."
"No," Julian said.
Maya turned. "That's my mother."
"And if we give him the only proof, he'll kill her anyway."
"You don't know that."
"I know him."
"Then what do you suggest?"
Julian stared at the video background.
Concrete wall. Rusted pipe. Yellow paint on the floor.
"He's not at the printing plant."
Nico leaned in. "That's old Croft infrastructure paint."
Derek nodded. "We used yellow edge lines in the freight depots."
Julian's eyes narrowed. "Canal Street terminal."
Nico looked at him. "Closed ten years ago."
"Vale used it before my father pushed him out. He knows the tunnels."
Maya grabbed the drive.
Julian caught her wrist.
"What are you doing?"
"Going with you."
"No."
"We are not having this argument again."
"You almost got killed."
"So did you."
"I have experience."
"At getting shot? Congratulations."
Derek looked at Nico. "I like her."
"Everyone does," Nico said. "That's the problem."
Julian stared at Maya.
"Stay behind me."
"I did that last time. You got shot."
"Maya."
"Fine. Beside you."
They left with twelve minutes remaining on Vale's clock.
The terminal sat beside the river like a dead factory, windows black, loading cranes frozen against the sky.
Police had not arrived yet. Vale wanted privacy and had used a jammer around the building.
Derek led one team toward the east entrance. Nico took two men through an old freight tunnel.
Julian and Maya approached the main floor.
A speaker crackled overhead.
Vale's voice.
"Right on time."
A spotlight turned on.
Elena sat tied to a chair on an elevated loading platform.
A man stood behind her with a gun.
Maya stepped forward.
"I'm here. Let her go."
Vale emerged from the shadows.
"Drive first."
Julian held it up.
"Release Elena."
"You are in no position to negotiate."
"I am always in a position to negotiate."
Vale smiled. "That's your father's voice."
Julian's face went cold. "Don't confuse blood with character."
Maya saw movement high above.
Someone on a catwalk.
Not Derek.
Not Nico.
A rifle barrel lowered toward Julian.
May you like
Maya shouted his name.
The shot fired.
