Chapter 6 - The Arrival
The massive warehouse doors crashed to the floor, kicking up a huge cloud of dust and debris.
Through the flashing strobe lights, a large black SUV roared directly into the building, its high beams blinding the attacking thug.
The SUV slammed on the brakes, stopping just inches away from the man raising the crowbar.
The driver’s side door flew open, and Ryan stepped out, holding a heavy steel tire iron in his hands.
He didn't hesitate for a single second.
Ryan swung the tire iron, striking the thug hard in the ribs and sending him crashing to the concrete floor.
"Get in the car, now!" Ryan shouted over the deafening blare of the fire alarm.
Pastor Javier, David, and Marcus scrambled into the backseat of the SUV, clutching the vital evidence folder.
I ran to the passenger side, jumping in and slamming the door shut just as the first thug recovered from the gravel in his eyes.
Diane screamed obscenities from the catwalk, furiously throwing a heavy metal wrench that smashed against the SUV's windshield.
"Drive, Ryan, drive!" I yelled, adrenaline pumping furiously through my veins.
Ryan slammed the SUV into reverse, spinning the tires on the slick concrete, and backed aggressively out of the warehouse.
We sped away down the dark, rain-soaked streets, putting as much distance between us and Diane's thugs as possible.
"How did you know where we were?" I gasped, trying to catch my breath as my heart hammered in my chest.
Ryan kept his eyes glued to the road, his grip white-knuckled on the steering wheel.
"When you didn't answer your phone, I logged into our shared family location app," Ryan explained rapidly.
"I saw you were in the abandoned warehouse district, and I knew something was horribly wrong."
Pastor Javier leaned forward from the backseat, his face pale and covered in sweat.
"Ryan, your mother is completely unhinged, she just tried to have us killed," the pastor breathed heavily.
Ryan nodded grimly, the realization of his mother's true nature finally settling in completely.
"I know," Ryan said, his voice hard and resolute. "And we are going to make sure she never hurts anyone ever again."
We drove straight to the central police precinct in downtown, refusing to stop anywhere else.
Marcus, David, and Pastor Javier immediately handed the manila folder over to the lead detective on duty.
The detective's eyes widened as he reviewed the forged purchase orders and the bribed inspection reports.
"This is massive corporate fraud, extortion, and attempted murder," the detective stated, immediately calling for backup units.
"We are sending a tactical team to Diane Rodriguez's residence right now."
I felt a massive wave of relief wash over me, knowing the nightmare was finally coming to an end.
But as the detective reached for his radio to dispatch the units, the precinct's main phone line rang shrilly.
The desk sergeant answered it, his expression dropping into one of absolute horror.
He quickly transferred the call to the lead detective, whispering urgently, "It's the fire department."
The detective listened for a moment, his face turning grim, before slowly hanging up the receiver.
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"I'm sorry," the detective said, looking directly at Pastor Javier.
"The new church youth center just collapsed, and there were people inside."
