Chapter 5 - Fire in the Rail yard
""Get behind the engine block,"" Frank commanded, thrusting an armored vest toward Elena. ""Put this on. Do not move unless I tell you to.""
Elena slipped the heavy Kevlar over her silk gown, her hands trembling as she strapped the velcro tight across her chest. She watched Frank move with terrifying, practiced efficiency. He didn't panic; his pulse remained completely steady as he reached into a hidden compartment under the Suburban’s rear deck and pulled out an M4 carbine with an integrated suppressor, along with four spare magazines.
The high-pitched hum of the drone suddenly stopped outside. A second later, the corrugated roof shattered in three separate locations as stun grenades fell through the skylights.
BANG-BANG-BANG!
A blinding flash of white light illuminated the warehouse, accompanied by an ear-splitting concussive blast that made the dust dance in the air. Men in full tactical gear rappelled down through the broken roof, while a reinforced breaching truck smashed through the rusted roll-up doors, headlights flooding the floor.
Frank didn't wait for them to acquire targets. Peeking out from behind the heavy iron pillars of the depot, he fired three controlled double-taps. The three men sliding down the ropes fell instantly, their bodies collapsing onto the rusted gravel floor like sacks of wet sand.
""Target identified! Depot floor, behind the pillars!"" an operative shouted over the roar of automatic gunfire.
Rounds chewed through the concrete pillar next to Frank's head, spraying sharp stone chips across his face. Frank ducked low, rolled across the greasy floor, and slipped beneath the undercarriage of a derailed train car. He brought his rifle up, aiming beneath the chassis of the attackers' truck. He saw four pairs of armored boots advancing in formation.
Frank fired four quick shots, shattering ankles and knees. Shouts of agony echoed over the gunfire as the squad broke formation.
""Keep moving!"" Frank yelled over his shoulder to Elena. ""Back service tunnel! Go!""
Elena sprinted across the open space toward the dark tunnel that led toward the riverbank. But as she reached the threshold, a heavy hand grabbed her by the hair, violently jerking her backward onto the dirt.
""Got the girl!"" a mercenary barked, shoving a combat knife toward her throat.
Elena screamed, kicking wildly. Her boot caught the man in the groin, throwing him off balance just long enough. Before he could recover, Frank emerged from the shadows like a ghost. He grabbed the mercenary's wrist, snapping the bone with a sickening crack, and drove his elbow straight into the man's throat. The attacker dropped instantly, gasping for air.
Frank pulled Elena to her feet, dragging her into the tunnel. Behind them, the warehouse ignited as a stray bullet punctured a row of forgotten fuel barrels, sending a massive fireball roaring toward the ceiling.
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As they stumbled out of the tunnel onto the rocky shoreline of the Hudson River, a sleek black cigarette boat was idling in the dark water. But the man standing at the helm, holding a raised assault rifle, wasn't one of Daniel's men.
It was Victor Vanderbilt's personal lawyer, holding a phone out toward them. ""Get on board, Frank. Victor wants to negotiate before Daniel burns the whole state down.""
