"Take the stairwell," I say to Minka.
Her expression makes clear she isn't happy with this plan, but she doesn't argue. Splitting up might seem reckless except only six perps are making their way up the stairs. They're not professionals based on how long it takes them to notice the stairwell cameras.
Waiting for the stairwell door to open allows me to think of Darla. I wonder if leaving the gun was a mistake. Darla was half asleep and in a state of panic. I even left the safety on the weapon without reminding her how to switch it off.
I have no time to check on her. The door opens, and the first armed figure enters the dark hallway. I don't fire my gun, not until four perps move towards the apartment door. I pull on my gas mask and wait for Minka to report.
Minka speaks into her headset. "Two are holding back."
"Green light," I whisper.
Tossing the smoke grenade, I wait for one of the fuckers to open fire. I need this shit to look like self-defense before I unleash on the perps.
One figure fires a shot, allowing me to shoot back at him and the others. He goes down first and then the second asshole hits the ground.
Reloading, I hide around the corner while they return fire.
"Two perps are making their move," Minka warns.
I hear the stairwell door open followed by Minka's gunfire. Breathing easily in the smoky hallway, I hear the remaining perps coughing in between firing blindly.
"Pushing out," I warn Minka while switching out weapons.
I open fire on the remaining perps who back up towards the stairwell. One of them hits the elevator button, thinking it might provide a better escape. I take him out with a shot to the chest. The final figure disappears into the stairwell.
"Headcount three," Minka says, shooting the last guy.
"Three here too. Keep steady in your position."
Moving quickly through the smoky hallways, I check each perp. One is dead while the other two are unconscious and barely alive. I yank off their ski masks but don't recognize them. I didn't really think Locke had the balls to show up himself.
Once I separate the bodies from their weapons, I tell Minka the hallway is clear. I'm checking the stairwell when Rafael sends us the message that the cops have arrived.
"We've cleared the surrounding area," he says, sounding almost chipper. "Saskia grabbed a straggler down here. Based on Darla's descriptions, Saskia thinks this bitch might be Mistress Agony."
"Fucking A," Minka says, sounding as happy as Rafael.
"We're taking her back to the office for an interrogation."
Minka joins me in the hallway doorway. We keep an eye on the bodies to ensure no one gets frisky despite their injuries.
"We need to move Darla from this location," Minka says.
I frown. "Take her where, though?"
"With the cops and noise, she can't stay here."
Still on the radio with us, Rafael clears his throat to end our bickering. "I bought a second apartment in my building. It's furnished, and we have a grocery store downstairs. Move her there until we see what Saskia's new buddy tells us."
Before we can take the conversation further, the elevators open and police flow out. Forced to give up our weapons, Minka and I explain the situation several times before the officers settle down. I don't let them know about Darla locked in the safe room. She can't handle these trigger-happy cops banging on the door.
As soon as I see a chance to make an escape, I head to the apartment where I rearm myself. The fire alarm shuts off, leaving the world suddenly very quiet. I'm sure Darla is relieved about the relative silence, even if outside the storm rages.
I use the intercom to warn Darla that I'm opening the door. When silence meets me, a part of me fears she's harmed herself with the gun. Did she try to turn off the safety, causing the gun to go off? In her panic, had she decided death was preferable to whatever awaited her with Locke?
Opening the door, I find her standing in the same spot I left her. The trust I see in her eyes when she reaches for me is both intoxicating and terrifying.
44
~~~
Darla
Breaking Point
I can't breathe, yet somehow I don't pass out. Standing at the door of the safe room, I wrap my arms around my body and wait for Troy to return. A part of me that lives in the real world knows I might never see him again. He could be dead already.
The dreamer in me believes Troy is destined to be mine, and everything will work out. I embrace this lie long enough to calm my breathing.