They busted open the pitted and rusted metal door and we burst into a short hallway. It was dark and damp and the smell of mildew was overpowering. We hustled forward to another door, broke through, and stepped into a dim warehouse space.
Light filtered in front windows high up in the ceiling. The floor was strewn with trash, burned refuse from fires, rotting boxes, soggy pallets, and more needles than I could count. The junkies of San Mateo must’ve used it as a hideout for years. I signaled and my men fanned out, half heading to the loading bay doors to help Redmond get inside, and the rest moving along the wall, looking for stairs to the next level.
The gunfire cracked out like thunder on a clear day. I threw myself down as it sprayed at my men on the far side of the warehouse. One was hit, his blood splattering his comrades, and the rest took cover the best they could.
“Second floor!” I shouted, and the soldiers began calling out spots, marking men and returning fire.
The loading bay door exploded in a shower of sparks. My men moved away as Redmond and his forces piled through the wreckage. I hadn’t realized he’d brought explosives, but I was suddenly happy for it: the smoke and shrapnel and noise created by the bomb momentarily distracted our attackers.
I got to my feet and sprinted, my men following. I had to get upstairs or else we’d remained pinned down. Stairs jutted up at the far side, disappearing into the wall, and I headed toward them as bullets rained down from above. I heard a scream, a shout, and I didn’t slow: stopping would mean death, and I wasn’t ready to leave Melanie.
I reached the steps and took them two at a time, flying faster than I ever had before. My lungs pumped and breath burned in my throat. I reached the top and spun, gun up. A man stood nearby, shooting down, and I took him in the head. His skull exploded in brains and blood. The others realized I’d reached the top, but a moment too late. My men followed, and we began a bloody firefight.
There was no cover. I leaned against the railing, shooting, shooting, as bullets whizzed past my face. I grunted, and the man to my left screamed as blood spurted from his neck. He toppled sideways and fell, and his body thumped on the floor below. The attackers on the second-floor catwalk had to turn their attention to me and my men, which allowed Redmond to find an alternate way up.
We outnumbered them. I counted nine, and even though they held the high ground, we were better armed and trained. I killed two more and Redmond took care of the rest, flanking them, slaughtering them, until every man was dead, and the shooting finally stopped.
I stood on the catwalk, breathing hard, and wiped blood from my face. I didn’t know whose it was. Mine, an ally, an enemy. It didn’t matter. I put a bullet in the head of a man suffering from a gut shot, ending his misery. Redmond signaled all clear from the far side, and I signaled back.
“Sir.” It was the bearded guard from the car.
“What’s your name?”
“Linus, sir.”
“Report, Linus.”
He stood a bit straighter. “We found two people tied up in an office at the far side. They seem uninjured.”
“Male and female?”
“Yes, sir. I believe they’re our targets.”
“Secure them. Make sure they’re safe. But keep them where they are.”
“Sir.” Linus saluted like it was second nature and trotted off.
Down on the warehouse floor, two figures stepped into the light. Palmira looked around, gun drawn, but relaxed when she spotted me. I waved them up. Melanie seemed shaken as she walked past mangled, dead bodies, her shoes stomping in blood as she went.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She held onto my arm. “I’m fine.” She blinked and avoided staring down at the corpse at my feet. “Are they here?”
“This way.” I led her after Linus, toward the office.
The room was small and cramped. Linus stood inside, and Laurel and Cedric sat in chairs, their hands tied behind their backs. I grunted in annoyance. “My men should’ve freed them. I’ll go—”
“No,” Melanie said, holding me back. “I’ll go.”
“What do you mean?”
“I want to talk to my uncle.” Her face hardened into a mask of determination. I stared at her in surprise, but a smile curled my lips.
“You’re still thinking about your mystery.”
“I have a chance to get answers, and I’m going to take it.” She kissed my cheek. “I’ll be fast.”
“Good. Find out what you can.”
She released me and walked forward. I gestured for my men to leave the room, and she glanced back briefly before shutting the door.
Chapter 25
Melanie
I stood in front of my uncle and my cousin, taking deep, calming breaths. The place smelled like blood and mold. The carpet was green and stained in several places. Trash was piled in a corner. On a table sat two cellphones. I guessed they belonged to Laurel and Uncle Cedric.