Chapter 15 - The Abandoned Sanctuary
The abandoned church on 4th Street was a massive, decaying structure completely surrounded by overgrown weeds and rusted iron fences.
The pouring rain aggressively lashed against the broken stained-glass windows as I stepped through the heavy wooden doors.
The interior was pitch black, illuminated only by the occasional, violent flash of lightning that lit up the ruined sanctuary.
I walked slowly down the center aisle, clutching the encrypted hard drive tightly against my chest.
My earpiece crackled softly, transmitting Owen’s incredibly calm, reassuring voice directly into my ear.
"I have snipers positioned on all four adjacent rooftops, Clara. You are completely covered."
I took a deep breath, stopping directly in front of the rotting wooden altar at the front of the church.
"I am here, Russo," I called out, my voice echoing loudly across the empty, cavernous room.
Three high-powered tactical flashlights instantly clicked on from the balcony above, completely blinding my vision.
Victor Russo walked slowly down the sweeping wooden staircase, flanked by four heavily armed mercenaries.
He was a tall, incredibly gaunt man wearing a dark trench coat, his face twisted into an arrogant, malicious sneer.
"You actually showed up," Russo mocked, his boots crunching loudly on the broken glass covering the stone floor.
"I honestly thought you would run away crying to your powerful boyfriend to beg for forgiveness."
I stood my ground, channeling every ounce of Owen's fearless authority as I held the digital drive out in front of me.
"Here is the ledger. Delete the files concerning the car crash, and never contact me again."
Russo laughed, a dry, completely soulless sound that echoed terribly in the dark church.
He gestured for one of his mercenaries to retrieve the drive.
The massive guard snatched the device from my hands, plugging it rapidly into a portable, encrypted tablet.
"You are incredibly naive, Clara," Russo sneered, pulling a heavy silver pistol from his coat.
"I am going to drain Hartley's accounts, and then I am going to kill you to send him a very clear message about who truly runs this city."
Just as Russo raised his weapon, the mercenary holding the tablet suddenly shouted in pure, absolute panic.
"Boss! The drive is completely empty, it's a tracking beacon!"
Russo's arrogant smile vanished instantly, completely replaced by sheer, unadulterated terror.
May you like
"Take her down!" Russo screamed, aiming his gun directly at my chest.
Before his finger could even twitch on the trigger, the massive stained-glass window behind the altar violently exploded inward.
