Chapter 9 - The Final Countdown
The cold city wind whipped violently across the fiftieth floor, carrying the horrifying reality of Ethan's psychotic, suicidal plan.
He knew the cartel would brutally torture and murder him for losing their massive funds, so he preferred to die on his own twisted terms.
"You are a completely pathetic coward, Ethan," I shouted over the howling wind, desperately trying to keep his attention focused entirely on me.
Before he could press his thumb down on the red trigger of the detonator, a single, suppressed gunshot echoed from the floor below.
The bullet perfectly struck the wrist of the cartel enforcer holding the tablet, causing him to drop his weapon and scream in agony.
Audrey had successfully reached her vantage point and was providing precise, incredibly brave covering fire.
I used the momentary, chaotic distraction to sprint fiercely across the open concrete toward the heavy steel girder.
I violently tackled the second cartel enforcer, utilizing my extensive tactical training to swiftly disarm him and knock him entirely unconscious.
Ethan panicked and scrambled backward toward the dangerous, unguarded edge of the massive skyscraper.
I pulled a sharp tactical knife from my belt and rapidly sliced through the thick zip-ties securing Maya and the young girl.
"Run to the stairwell right now and do not look back!" I ordered them, shielding their tiny bodies with my own.
The third cartel enforcer raised his assault rifle, but Audrey fired another incredibly precise shot, striking him directly in the shoulder.
Ethan was now completely alone, cornered against the terrifying drop, clutching the electronic detonator with white-knuckled desperation.
"I am taking you all straight to hell with me!" Ethan screamed, his eyes completely wide and unhinged.
He violently pressed his thumb down hard onto the bright red button of the detonator.
Absolutely nothing happened.
The massive building remained completely silent, entirely devoid of the fiery, explosive destruction he had promised.
Ethan stared down at the small plastic device in absolute, paralyzing confusion, pressing the button over and over again.
"I spent eight years investigating your construction firms, Ethan," I said, walking slowly and calmly toward him.
"I know exactly which corrupt contractors you use, and I also know they sell you defective, cheap explosive wiring."
I had secretly hacked the building's internal detonation network from the hospital and completely disabled the primary firing sequence hours ago.
Suddenly, the deafening sound of multiple police helicopters surrounded the upper floors of the skyscraper.
Bright, blinding spotlights washed over the concrete floor as heavily armed SWAT teams poured out of the stairwells.
Sophia marched onto the floor, her federal badge gleaming, completely ready to arrest the man who had terrified her family.
Ethan dropped the useless detonator, but he simply started laughing a dark, arrogant, deeply disturbing laugh.
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"You think you won, Liam?" Ethan sneered, crossing his arms with absolute, delusional confidence.
"I am the registered CEO of a foreign shell corporation, which means I have full diplomatic immunity, and you cannot legally touch me."
