Chapter 14 - Pier 44|
The docks were shrouded in a thick, salty fog rolling in from the bay. The smell of diesel and rotting fish hung heavily in the air.
Carter drove the unmarked SUV silently, killing the headlights as we approached Pier 44. Two SWAT vehicles were already idling in the shadows, waiting for Carter’s command.
“Stay in the car, Sarah,” Carter warned, loading his sidearm. “He’s desperate. That makes him dangerous.”
I nodded, locking the doors as Carter slipped out into the fog.
Through the windshield, I could barely make out the silhouette of a sleek, white cabin cruiser tied to the end of the dock. A figure was hurriedly tossing duffel bags over the railing. It was Daniel. He was wearing a dark windbreaker, constantly checking his watch.
I cracked the window just enough to hear the approaching boots of the tactical team.
“Daniel Whitaker! FBI! Put your hands in the air!” a voice echoed through the megaphone.
Daniel froze. He looked around wildly, realizing he was surrounded. Floodlights snapped on, blinding him and illuminating the entire pier.
Instead of surrendering, Daniel laughed. It was a manic, unhinged sound that made my skin crawl.
“You’re too late!” Daniel yelled back, pulling a small remote from his pocket. “You think I didn’t plan for this? You think my mother and I didn’t have a contingency?”
Carter stepped into the light, his weapon trained on Daniel’s chest. “Drop the remote, Whitaker. It’s over. Patricia is in custody, and we have the tea.”
Daniel’s smile faltered for a second, but his eyes remained wild. “My mother is a fool. She got caught. But me? I’m leaving.”
May you like
He pressed the button on the remote.
A massive explosion ripped through the end of the dock. The shockwave rattled the windows of the SUV, and a plume of fire shot into the sky.
