Page 25 of Raven's Curse
“Only because you knew the bastard wouldn’t be hiding behind it.”
“We’re not wearing our vests.”
“Who thought this would turn into another damn gauntlet run.” She grabbed the handle. “Don’t get shot.”
She reefed it open, and he dove out, rolling to his feet with his Sig already zeroed in on the far end of the corridor, ready to strike at the slightest hint of aggression. Something clattered in the distance as a shadow moved off to the left.
Chase pointed in the direction, then took off, sprinting down the hallway. He vaulted over a toppled gurney, dodging a large bin as he wove his way through the utility room, ducking behind some machinery when a figure crossed the hallway in front of him.
Greer darted in behind him, not missing a beat, as she motioned to the corridor, then jumped out. He stayed with her, moving slowly — giving himself plenty of time to react. Muffled grunts sounded off to their left, a metallic rattling noise cutting through the quiet.
Chase covered Greer as she shuffled ahead, weapon aimed at a figure mostly hidden in the shadows before Chase pegged the silhouette with his flashlight.
She stopped. “What the…” She inched closer, her flashlight reflecting off a swath of plastic peeking out from beneath a set of scrubs, the dummy’s wig tilted off to one side. “Is that a mannequin?”
Chase had Greer by the arm and pressed between him and a piece of machinery a heartbeat later, using his body to block any possible hit. “Someone walked across the hallway. Made those sounds.”
“I know, but?—”
A series of grunts drowned her out, the rough sound mixing with the hints of diesel in the air. Echoing off the shiny surfaces.
Chase scanned the mannequin, frowning at the cable knotted around its neck — a small speaker hanging off the end. “I’ve got an incredibly bad feeling about this…”
A blast of static crackled the air followed by a scream, then scuffling, something thudding to the ground. A wet gurgling noise echoed around them, reminiscent of that night in the chopper. The way Sean had sounded before he’d died.
How Chase imagined Rhett had been when he’d been lying there, praying his brothers would find him in time.
That Chase would find him.
Greer raised one hand to her mouth. “Oh, god.” She moved out from behind him, her flashlight centered on the speaker. “Where… Wait. Do you hear what’s in the background?”
Chase frowned, then inhaled. “Fuck, the foghorn.”
He cleared the immediate area, then took off, dodging through the machines and extra supplies, jumping over boxes and crates. Heading for the service exit somewhere on the other side.
Light.
Not much.
Just a shade brighter than the room, but Chase angled toward it, aiming his weapon at the twin doors as they appeared in the circular beam. He barely stopped long enough to glance through the windows before bursting through the doors — racing into the night.
Fog crawled across the pavement, clinging to the hanging branches as rain drizzled from the sky. Hints of moonlight brightened the clouds low on the horizon, that mournful horn drifting on the light breeze.
Greer followed him out, running toward the edge of the rear driveway. Grass stretched out on either side, a few benches resting beneath towering maples dotting the landscape.
Chase moved in beside her, holding her back as he studied the lawn along the driveway. Looking for some kind of impression. A footprint or depression. Something to narrow the search.
Mud.
Caked along the grass in distinct lines.
The kind combat boot treads left behind. Heading toward the rear of the property.
Greer covered his six, trailing after him as he followed the marks, pausing at the corner. An engine growled to life in the distance, the telltale revs rising above the foghorn before fading into the patter of rain.
Chase peeked around the corner, searching for a sniper beam glowing in the fog — something to suggest their perp hadn’t escaped in whatever vehicle had just taken off — then rounded the building, quickstepping over to an open courtyard. Tables stacked with chairs occupied half the space, decorative planters lining the sides.
Shoes.
