Chapter Twenty-Three
As soon asthey left the car to enter the tunnel, Liam knew he’d made a mistake, one that could have deadly consequences. He never should’ve allowed Catriona to accompany him and Sam, despite the hacker’s trick. Damn Devin Curtis for forcing his hand. Worse, in his opinion, the risk to her wasn’t worth it, despite the man saying Catriona would be an undeniable asset to achieve this mission.
They’d been lucky, as it was still early, the people inside the tunnels were few and way too festive to notice them, allowing their little trio to remain below the radar.
Catriona followed without a word, complying with all his commands, but he could feel her apprehension. She wasn’t an agent, didn’t have combat experience or a willingness to use a weapon, and still, she pushed forward, determined to be a part of it and see it through. Her calm strength, her courage made Liam want to shake sense into her and worship at her feet.
Around the corner, as Catriona has said, there had been a locked steel door leading to their destination. Another easy obstacle, as Sam took care of it in a matter of seconds. Inside, the lights were out as they arrived in a service basement. Devin had made sure to bypass the security system so they didn’t alert their target.
After that point, it had been a step by step game, following Devin’s instructions in Sam’s ear. Apart from a few workaholics too busy to notice their presence, they reached the floor where Devin followed the white tower’s electronic signal. Liam had half expected an empty space, but they found themselves in a maze of hallways, offices, and conference rooms.
“Are you sure we’re on the right floor?” Liam expected a bunker of some sort, or an upscale business. On the other hand, Finch had been forced underground, and his options reduced. Which was the only comforting part of the situation. If they had the upper hand long enough to bring him down for good, that was all he asked.
Sam touched his ear and nodded. “Old building. The current company is vacating. There’s been a lot of coming and going, and it’s probably the reason Finch used it.”
Catriona looked into each room they passed. “Mostly empty.” They advanced until they reached a set of locked doors.
“These are reinforced. Brother, you didn’t think to bring a blowtorch, did you?
Sam grunted. “Can’t you say something constructive?”
Liam was about to snap an equivalent reply when Catriona interrupted them, to point at the ceiling. “What about the air vent? It’s an old building, is it possible it connects to the other side?”
Before Liam could spit a stern refusal at that idea, Sam came forward and examined the vent. “Most probably, but the space is way too small for Liam or me. And from the look on my brother’s face, he won’t agree to you going.”
Liam would have barked a simple no, but it was exactly his sentiment.
“So we stay here and wish for the door to open by itself? Even if we fall to our knees and prayed, I’m smart enough to know it won’t work. We can’t miss our chance.”
Liam wanted to go caveman on her, but he knew Catriona wouldn’t give in without a logical explanation. “You’re not an agent. You don’t have to do this. It’s too dangerous. We’ll have to come back later with equipment to open the door.”
He braced for an immovable wall, but she played a much more potent card by touching his hand, skin to skin, her eyes searing his soul. “Life is a risk.”
Liam sighed. “When we entered, Devin said that the ping fell silent. The place is most probably empty by now. The operative word being probably, not definitely.”
Panic rose in him as her idea seemed to be the only solution. They had to get to the tower before anybody discovered they knew about it and moved it to another place. It was the only way to save Lazarus. Even though his brain came to grips with what needed to be done, every other part of his being screamed against it.
Sam braced, linking his hands to offer a step, and Catriona didn’t wait for his approval to do what needed to be done, with the same innocence and goodness that would be the death of her. If it didn’t kill her first.
Sam gave the initial push as Liam helped stabilize her until she could reach the vent. One quick pull and the frame fell to the ground. Liam cursed as he helped his brother give the final push.
Soon, her upper body was out of sight as she wiggled herself inside. Clenching his fist, Liam had never felt this powerless in his life, other than when he was a kid.
Now, in the most uncertain situation, he could only wait, pray, and hope.
The sound of her crawling through the vent grew more distant until he couldn’t hear her anymore.
His control was slipping when all he wanted to do was yell her name and make sure she was all right. He could call her, but he wouldn’t. Not yet, just a moment more. He remained still, listening for any indicator from the other side of the door telling them she’d made it safely.
Liam was about to reach for his phone when he heard a crashing sound followed by Catriona’s scream, and he reacted by going to the door and slamming his fist into it.
“Catriona!” Damn discretion, if the ceiling had opened and she’d fallen onto the floor.
Sam came to his side and banged as well. “Catriona! Shout out if you’re okay.”
Convinced she was hurt, and possibly unconscious, Liam asked Sam to help him through the vent. He may not be able to fit, but he could destroy his way to her.
“You won’t fit in the opening, Liam.”
