Chapter 2 - The Lethal Bluff
The heavy steel barrel of the suppressed pistol was pointed directly at the center of my chest.
I gripped the wooden handle of my mop so tightly that my knuckles turned completely white.
My mind raced desperately for a believable excuse that would keep this ruthless killer from pulling the trigger.
"I accidentally bumped the power cord with my cleaning cart."
The lie slipped past my lips with surprising smoothness, though my entire body was trembling in terror.
The bodyguard narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced by my fragile explanation.
He took a slow, menacing step closer to the bed, keeping the gun leveled firmly at my heart.
"The monitors are supposed to be locked into the wall panel to prevent accidental unplugging."
He reached out with his free hand to trace the thick plastic tubing running down from the IV bags.
I held my breath, knowing he was only seconds away from noticing the missing chemical bypass device hidden in my pocket.
If he saw the empty puncture mark on the primary tube, both Owen and I would be executed right here in Suite 914.
The guard's fingers brushed against the exact spot where the metal device had been attached just moments ago.
His thick brow furrowed in sudden confusion as he felt the tiny drop of moisture leaking from the compromised plastic.
He opened his mouth to shout an alarm to his accomplices lurking somewhere in the hospital corridors.
He never got the chance to make a single sound.
Owen’s right arm shot out from beneath the thick hospital blankets with terrifying, lightning-fast speed.
His hand gripped a sharp, stainless steel surgical scalpel he had somehow swiped from the bedside medical tray during my distraction.
With a brutal, upward thrust, Owen buried the small blade deep into the heavily muscled thigh of the corrupt bodyguard.
The massive man let out a muffled, agonizing groan as his leg instantly buckled beneath him.
His suppressed pistol clattered loudly against the polished marble floor as he collapsed in a heap of pain.
I did not hesitate for even a fraction of a second.
I swung the heavy wooden mop handle with every ounce of strength I possessed, striking the guard squarely across his temple.
His eyes rolled back into his head, and his massive body went entirely limp against the pristine white tiles.
I stood panting over his unconscious form, my heart hammering violently in my ears.
Owen leaned over the edge of the bed, his chest heaving as he struggled to process the sudden rush of adrenaline.
"Tie him up with the medical restraints from the bottom drawer."
He gasped out the command while rubbing his atrophied arms, trying to force his dormant muscles to wake up.
I quickly grabbed the heavy leather straps meant for violent patients and secured the guard tightly to the heavy radiator pipes.
Just as I finished pulling the final buckle tight, a sharp burst of static hissed through the quiet room.
The noise was coming from the tactical radio clipped securely to the unconscious man's belt.
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A cold, mechanical voice crackled through the small speaker, carrying a message that made my blood run perfectly cold.
"Target 914 is fully compromised, lock down the entire floor and eliminate anyone inside the room."
