Chapter 11 - The Storm Approaches
The pressure plate clicked with a heavy mechanical engagement beneath Daniel's boot.
Instantly, a deafening pneumatic hiss echoed throughout the entire mansion. Heavy, solid-steel blast shutters slammed down over every window and exterior door on the second floor with violent force, sealing the upper landing in complete, pitch-black darkness!
Simultaneously, the high-pressure emergency fire-suppression sprinklers activated on the ceiling. Thousands of gallons of icy water poured down in a roaring deluge, soaking the upper hallway in seconds.
"What the hell?!" the mercenary yelled, blinded by the sudden darkness and blasted by the torrent of high-pressure water.
Lily screamed as the mercenary stumbled backward on the slick marble tiles, his grip slipping on her wet yellow raincoat.
"Now, Emily!" Daniel roared.
Daniel and Emily charged up the sweeping staircase together through the cascading waterfall.
In the chaotic darkness, lit only by the strobing red emergency backup LEDs, the mercenary tried to raise his suppressed pistol, but Daniel tackled him into the wooden banister. The heavy oak timber cracked under their combined weight as both men went crashing onto the floor, wrestling violently for control of the weapon.
Emily paid no attention to the deadly struggle. She lunged forward across the wet floor, catching Lily into her arms just as the child slipped on the marble!
"I've got you! I've got you, my precious baby!" Emily sobbed, wrapping her arms around Lily's trembling body, pulling her tight against her chest, shielding her with her own body.
"Who are you?!" Lily whimpered into Emily's neck, terrified by the roaring water and red flashing lights.
"I'm your mommy, sweetheart... I'm your real mommy," Emily whispered through her tears, kissing the top of Lily's head repeatedly. "You're safe now. I'll never let anyone hurt you again."
"Get out of my way!" Richard Vance screamed through the dark storm of water.
Through the sheet of pouring water, Richard appeared, holding a heavy snub-nosed revolver. His face was distorted with manic fury, all corporate composure completely gone. He pointed the gun directly at Emily and Lily!
"If I lose everything tonight, you die with me!" Richard shrieked, his finger tightening on the trigger!
*BOOM!*
A shot shattered the air—but it didn't come from Richard's gun.
Deputy Marcus Vance stepped out from the shadowy hallway behind Richard, his service weapon smoking in his hands.
Richard gasped, his eyes wide with shock. He looked down at his shoulder, where a crimson hole was leaking blood onto his wet silk shirt. He dropped the revolver, which clattered down the wet marble stairs.
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"Marcus..." Richard rasped, stumbling backward against the wall, clutching his wounded shoulder. "You... you shot your own blood?"
"You're not blood, Richard," Marcus said coldly, stepping forward through the water and leveling his gun at his uncle's chest. "You're a cancer. And it ends tonight."
