Chapter 6 - The Architect of Shadows
The estate plunged into complete darkness as the backup generators were sabotaged from the subterranean levels. Emergency red emergency strips flickered along the baseboards, bathing the long hallways in a sinister crimson haze.
Damon led the group through an unmarked service passage behind the pantry.
“Where are we going?” Kate asked, her breath misting in the unheated concrete shaft. Her broken arm throbbed relentlessly against the sling, but she refused to complain.
“The armory beneath the garage,” Matteo said, reloading a drum magazine as he walked point. “We take the armored Suburbans and punch through the south gate.”
“No,” Damon countermanded sharply. “Julian anticipated that. He’ll have heavy anti-vehicle ordnance waiting on the south road. We go through the wine cellar tunnels.”
Matteo paused, looking back in alarm. “Boss… the Caldwell kid is still down there.”
“I know,” Damon whispered.
They descended the spiral stone staircase into the deep underground. The air grew damp and chilled, carrying the metallic scent of copper and wet dust.
When Damon unlocked the heavy iron reinforced door to the tasting room, the scene inside was frozen in horror.
Preston Caldwell sat bound to a heavy wooden chair, his face bruised, his right wrist crudely splinted with an iron rod. But he wasn't alone.
Standing over him, holding a suppressed tactical pistol to Preston’s temple, was Julian Vance.
Julian was fifty, polished, with silver-rimmed glasses and the calm demeanor of a high-end corporate accountant. Flanking him were four heavily armed mercenaries wearing unmarked black tactical gear.
“Right on time, Damon,” Julian said, smiling politely. “I thought you’d use this exit. You always favored your grandfather’s old smuggling routes when corners were tight.”
Damon didn't raise his weapon. He stepped directly into the open room, leaving Matteo and Walken in the shadows behind the door.
“Let the boy go, Julian,” Damon said smoothly. “Your fight is with me. You want the shipping manifests? You want the triad contracts? Take them. But you don't survive this night if you kill the senator’s son on my property.”
Julian chuckled, pressing the gun harder against Preston’s temple. Preston was weeping silently, his pants soaked, trembling with convulsions of pure terror.
“You still think this is about money, Damon? Or docks?” Julian shook his head. “The Senator didn't hire me. I hired the Senator. Preston coming here tonight to break into your safe was a diversion to get you out of the ballroom. But the maid… that was an unexpected bonus.”
Julian shifted his cold gaze to Kate, who was standing behind Damon.
May you like
“Hello, Miss Bennett. You really look just like your father. Did Damon tell you how Thomas actually died?”
***
