Chapter 7 - THE SECOND MAN
A man stepped through the exit.
Gray hoodie.
Baseball cap.
Thin face.
Daniel recognized him instantly.
“Evan.”
Elena gasped.
Evan Wallace looked terrible.
Bruised cheek.
Bloodshot eyes.
Hands shaking.
He stared at Daniel.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Daniel moved toward him.
Pike snapped, “Stay where you are!”
Nobody listened.
Daniel pointed at Evan.
“You put me in here.”
Evan looked away.
“You weren’t supposed to stay locked up.”
Daniel actually laughed.
“What?”
“My dad said they’d hold you for a few days.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Your dad?”
Baker cut in.
“Shut up, Evan.”
That was all Pike needed.
He shifted his gun toward Baker.
“Hands on your head.”
Baker didn’t move.
“Now.”
Evan began breathing faster.
“I want a lawyer.”
Baker turned toward him.
“You want to survive tonight? Stop talking.”
Collins drew her weapon.
“Baker.”
He looked at her.
“You too?”
“You kidnapped visitors during a lockdown.”
“I moved them.”
“With an armed accomplice?”
Evan raised both hands.
“I’m not armed.”
Baker’s face tightened.
“You stupid little—”
Daniel saw Baker’s shoulder move.
“Gun!”
Everything happened at once.
Pike lunged.
Collins shouted.
Elena dragged the kids behind a concrete column.
Baker pulled a compact pistol from his ankle.
Daniel tackled him before the gun cleared his leg.
They hit the floor.
The weapon skidded away.
Baker punched Daniel in the jaw.
Pain exploded across his face.
Daniel grabbed Baker’s shirt and drove his shoulder into the man’s chest.
“You came near my kids!”
Baker hit him again.
“You should’ve taken the deal!”
Daniel froze for half a second.
“What deal?”
That hesitation cost him.
Baker slammed Daniel into the wall.
Collins rushed forward.
“Down!”
Baker grabbed Daniel by the neck and used him as a shield.
Pike aimed.
“Let him go.”
Baker laughed.
“Not happening.”
Daniel could barely breathe.
Then Mateo screamed.
“Leave my dad alone!”
Baker looked toward the child.
Daniel used the moment.
He drove his elbow backward.
Baker grunted.
Daniel twisted free.
Pike tackled Baker to the ground.
Collins kicked the gun away.
Within seconds, Baker was cuffed.
Nobody spoke.
Daniel stumbled toward his family.
Mateo ran into him.
Sofia followed.
Elena touched the swelling on Daniel’s jaw.
“Oh my God.”
“I’m okay.”
“You’re bleeding.”
“I’m okay.”
Pike pulled Baker to his feet.
“What deal?”
Baker stared at Daniel.
Daniel stepped closer.
“You said I should’ve taken a deal.”
Baker smiled through a split lip.
“You really think the robbery is what this is about?”
Daniel stared at him.
“What are you talking about?”
Baker leaned closer.
“The pharmacy was never the target.”
Pike frowned.
“Then what was?”
Baker looked directly at Daniel.
“Your crew opened a wall in the Patel house six months ago.”
Daniel’s mind flashed back.
Dust.
Drywall.
Old pipes.
A metal box hidden between studs.
He remembered finding it.
And giving it to Richard Wallace.
Daniel felt suddenly sick.
Baker saw recognition on his face.
“There it is.”
Daniel whispered, “The lockbox.”
Evan closed his eyes.
Pike looked between them.
“What was inside?”
Daniel stared at Evan.
“I never opened it.”
Baker grinned.
“But Richard did.”
Then every emergency light in the hallway came back on.
May you like
And Evan Wallace whispered:
“My father killed a man over what was inside that box.”
