Chapter 7 - BISHOP FOLLOWED THE SOUND
The federal operation began before midnight.
Agents approached the abandoned hotel from the northern road.
Julian traveled in the visible convoy carrying a false copy of the memory card.
Mikhail watched him through exterior cameras.
Clara entered the drainage tunnel with Lila and two tactical officers.
Bishop was supposed to remain with Naomi.
He escaped the transport crate.
By the time they discovered him missing, he had followed Clara’s scent into the tunnel.
His injured shoulder slowed him.
It did not stop him.
Clara heard his breathing behind them.
“You stubborn idiot,” she whispered.
Bishop touched his nose to the whistle beneath her coat.
Lila wanted to send him back.
The dog refused to move toward the entrance.
They continued.
The tunnel opened beneath the hotel kitchen.
Voices carried through the floor.
Mikhail held Mateo inside the old ballroom.
Vanessa sat tied to a chair near him.
Her green gala gown had been replaced by torn travel clothes.
One side of her face was bruised.
Mikhail stood beside the fireplace holding a gun.
Julian entered through the main doors.
“You brought the card?”
“Yes.”
“Where is Clara?”
“Safe.”
Mikhail smiled.
“No one connected to Thomas Hayes has ever been safe.”
Mateo lifted his head.
His face was swollen.
One eye remained closed.
“Do not give him anything.”
Mikhail struck him.
Bishop’s body stiffened beneath the kitchen.
Clara covered his muzzle.
The dog trembled with the effort not to bark.
Vanessa began speaking quickly.
“Julian, he forced me.”
Mikhail laughed.
“She planned your death.”
“She selected the drug.”
“She signed the transfers.”
Vanessa looked at Julian.
“I was afraid of him.”
Julian’s voice stayed cold.
“You kicked Clara before Mikhail entered the room.”
“That choice belonged entirely to you.”
Vanessa began crying.
The performance no longer had an audience willing to protect it.
Mikhail demanded the whistle.
Julian said Clara had destroyed it.
Mikhail raised the gun toward Mateo.
Clara lifted the whistle.
She played the recall pattern.
The notes moved through the ventilation shaft.
Mateo’s head rose.
Bishop surged forward.
The tactical officer released him.
The hound burst through the kitchen doors and crossed the ballroom.
Mikhail turned.
Bishop struck him at the knees.
The gun fired into the ceiling.
Julian moved toward Mateo.
Federal agents entered through the side corridor.
Vanessa dropped her chair sideways to avoid the gunfire.
Mikhail kicked Bishop’s injured shoulder.
The dog fell with a cry.
Clara ran into the room.
Mikhail saw the whistle around her neck.
He grabbed her.
A blade pressed against her side.
“Call him off.”
Bishop struggled to stand.
Clara looked at the dog.
“Stay.”
He froze.
Mikhail dragged her toward the mine entrance.
Julian raised his hands.
“Let her go.”
“You destroyed everything for a server.”
“No.”
Julian looked at Clara.
“She helped expose what was already rotten.”
Mikhail backed into the tunnel with Clara.
Then Vanessa screamed.
The old hotel floor beneath her chair had begun collapsing.
May you like
Flames from the damaged fireplace spread across the rotten boards.
Everyone had seconds before the ballroom became an open pit.
