Chapter 18 - The Docks|
"She found them," Mateo shouted, holding the phone away from his ear so Vargas could hear. "My mom found where they're keeping Chloe. The abandoned shipping warehouses by the south docks."
Vargas grabbed his radio. "Dispatch, we have a confirmed hostage situation at the south docks. I need tactical units en route immediately. Silent approach."
"I'm coming with you," Mateo said, turning to Vargas.
"Absolutely not. This is an active cartel situation, kid. You stay here where it's safe."
"They know me!" Mateo argued fiercely. "If things go south, they might try to use the girl as leverage. If I'm there, I can distract them. I’m the one they really want to hurt to get to Mariana."
"He stays," Mariana said, her voice leaving no room for debate. "But I am going."
Ten minutes later, Vargas’s unmarked cruiser killed its headlights as it rolled into the sprawling, rusted complex of the south docks. The fog rolling off the water was thick, masking their approach.
Elena’s sleek black car was parked silently behind a rusted shipping container. As Vargas and Mariana stepped out, Elena crept out from the shadows to meet them.
"They're in warehouse 4," Elena whispered, pointing to a massive, corrugated metal building with faint light spilling from a cracked window. "There are three armed guards outside. Two more went in with the girl."
"Tactical is two minutes out," Vargas whispered back, drawing his service weapon. "You two stay behind this container. If shooting starts, keep your heads down."
Mariana and Elena, two women who had every reason to hate each other, crouched side by side in the damp dirt.
"Thank you," Mariana whispered, her eyes locked on the warehouse. "For finding her."
Elena looked at Mariana, her expression softening. "You kept him alive. You loved him when I couldn't. I should be thanking you."
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from inside the warehouse, followed by the terrifying sound of a little girl screaming.
Vargas didn't wait for backup. He broke cover, sprinting toward the side entrance of the building.
"Police! Drop your weapons!" Vargas's voice bellowed from inside.
Gunfire erupted.
The deafening roar of automatic weapons shattered the quiet night. Mariana screamed, covering her ears, while Elena grabbed her arm, pulling her tighter behind the steel container.
Then, over the sound of the gunfire, Mariana heard a sound that made her blood freeze completely.
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It was the squeal of tires. But not police tires.
A black SUV came tearing around the corner of the warehouse, heading straight for the main road. And sitting in the passenger seat, his face pressed against the glass, was Mateo.
