Chapter 7 - The Missing Key
Adrian pulled the hood of his jacket up to hide his face from the security cameras.
Arthur was a strategic monster, creating a narrative that made Adrian look like a deranged killer.
If the police found them now, Adrian would be arrested, and Marissa would likely disappear in police custody.
They carefully navigated the shadows of the city streets, heading back toward the industrial district.
The rain had slowed to a light drizzle, making the empty streets feel even more desolate.
They finally reached the perimeter of Marissa's apartment complex.
The area was surrounded by bright yellow police tape, and the brick wall was severely damaged.
Fortunately, the police had already processed the scene and abandoned the area for the night.
Adrian told Marissa to stay hidden in the shadows with the baby while he searched the crash zone.
He ducked under the police tape and dropped to his hands and knees in the cold mud.
He desperately sifted through the broken glass, crushed bricks, and ruined trash.
Minutes felt like hours as he searched the exact spot where they had hit the ground.
His fingers were bleeding from the sharp debris, but he refused to give up.
Finally, his hand brushed against a small, cold piece of perfectly grooved metal.
He pulled it out of the mud and wiped it on his shirt to reveal the silver vault key.
A wave of massive relief washed over him.
He clutched the key tightly in his fist and began to stand up.
Before he could turn around, a heavy, steel-toed boot stepped down hard onto his wrist.
The sheer weight pinned Adrian's arm to the wet pavement, forcing a gasp of pain from his throat.
Adrian looked up slowly, the cold rain hitting his face.
Standing above him was the driver of the armored SUV, holding a massive tactical flashlight.
The hitman smiled dangerously and pulled back the hammer of his suppressed pistol.
He aimed the barrel directly at the center of Adrian's forehead.
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"Arthur said you would be stupid enough to come back for this," the hitman whispered.
The hitman's finger began to squeeze the trigger.
