Chapter 10 - Sacrificial Pawns
The burst of automatic fire was deafening in the enclosed space.
Victoria let out a breathless, choked gasp as two rounds struck her torso. The revolver slipped from her bloodied fingers, clattering onto the hardwood floor as she collapsed backward into the corridor, her white gown blooming with horrific shades of scarlet.
“You monster!” Charlotte yelled, firing three consecutive shots toward Julian’s pillar, forcing him to tuck his head back behind the concrete.
“She knew the risks!” Julian shouted back, reloading with practiced ease. “Now, drop your weapons, Charlotte, or the next round goes into the judge’s skull!”
Before Julian could step out, Captain Vance signaled Charlotte. With a nod, Vance vaulted over the piano, firing his remaining rounds to suppress the terrace door, while Charlotte sprinted toward the open corridor where Victoria lay gasping for air.
Charlotte slid onto her knees beside the woman who had slapped her across the face barely an hour ago. Victoria’s chest rose and fell in shallow, agonizing hitches. Her hands clawed at Charlotte’s beige sleeve, leaving smears of bright red blood.
“Charlotte...” Victoria wheezed, blood bubbling at the corner of her lips. “The safe... the safe in his dressing room... the drive... he kept... he kept the backup...”
“Hold still, Victoria,” Charlotte said, pressing her palm against the wound in the woman’s shoulder to stem the bleeding. “Don’t talk.”
“He... he was going to kill me anyway,” Victoria whispered, her eyes fluttering as shock set in. “The keycard... in my bouquet... take it...”
Behind them, a sharp explosion rocked the terrace. The sniper from the opposite building had landed an incendiary round directly onto the contractors' tactical gear, igniting their ammunition in a violent flash of yellow flame.
Julian cursed, retreating toward the interior service stairs that led to the rooftop helipad. “This isn't over, Charlotte! You can’t leave this city alive!”
Charlotte didn't chase him. She reached down into the shredded remains of Victoria’s bridal train, where a crushed cluster of white orchids lay. Entangled in the silk ribbons was a miniature gold-plated memory drive, sealed in a water-resistant sleeve.
Captain Vance ran out into the corridor, supporting Judge Vance on his shoulder. “Julian’s headed for the roof! A civilian chopper is inbound on the radar!”
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Charlotte stood, her hands coated in Victoria’s blood, the gold drive clutched tightly in her fist. Her face was devoid of fear, devoid of sorrow, hardened into pure titanium.
“He’s not leaving,” Charlotte said. “Turn on the roof halon dispersal vents. Let’s ground his flight.”
