Chapter 6 - Shadows on the WaterfrontThe cold wind off the harbor whipped through the rusted girders of Warehouse Four, carrying the sharp scent of diesel and brine.
Across the concrete pier, a sleek black cigarette boat idled against the pilings, its engine rumbling like a caged beast. Standing on the edge of the dock was Victor Vance—immaculately dressed in a tailored charcoal coat, a silver-headed cane in his right hand, and an amused, predatory smirk plastered across his face.
Flanking Vance were four armed enforcers with their hands resting casually near their holsters.
Bruno pushed a battered, zip-tied Garrett Mallory forward, shoving him onto his knees right at the edge of the water. Garrett was sobbing uncontrollably, his nose swelling, begging for mercy that wasn't coming.
Step by heavy step, Lincoln Frost walked out from the shadows of the warehouse, his black coat billowing slightly in the harbor breeze. Delia stood a few paces behind him, holding Naomi’s small hand while the girl's eyes were safely covered by Bruno’s large palm so she wouldn't see the blood.
"Lincoln," Victor Vance called out, his voice smooth and dripping with false camaraderie. "I must say, I'm surprised. I thought for sure my little inside man would have dismantled your distribution network by breakfast."
Lincoln stopped ten feet away, his expression carved from granite. "Your inside man lacked imagination, Victor. And he lacked discipline."
Vance chuckled, leaning on his cane. "What's done is done. The city council is already reviewing your health violations at this warehouse. Your monopoly on medical logistics is finished, Lincoln. Hand over the remaining waterfront deeds by midnight, and I might let you and your little nurse friend walk out of Hadley alive."
Lincoln didn't raise his voice. He didn't blink. He simply turned his head slightly toward Bruno.
"Do it," Lincoln said.
Before Vance could blink, Bruno grabbed Garrett by the collar and belt, hoisted him off the ground, and hurled him straight off the edge of the pier into the freezing, oil-slicked harbor water.
Splash!
Garrett surfaced screaming, thrashing wildly against the heavy current and his zip-tied wrists, struggling to keep his head above water as the tide dragged him toward the deep channel.
"Vance! Help me! Please!" Garrett shrieked.
Vance’s enforcers instantly drew their weapons, aiming them at Lincoln and Bruno. But before they could pull the trigger, the red laser dots of a dozen sniper rifles painted every single one of their foreheads from the surrounding rooftops.
Vance froze, his smirk vanishing instantly as the color drained from his face.
"You brought snipers," Vance hissed, his hands tightening on his cane.
"You brought amateur saboteurs into my city, Victor," Lincoln replied, stepping closer until he was towering over the older man. "You threatened a child. In my world, that is a capital offense."
"You can't touch me, Frost! The harbor board owns half the judges in this state—!"
"The harbor board was arrested thirty minutes ago for tax evasion and corporate bribery," Lincoln interrupted smoothly. "Their bank accounts have been frozen. Their assets are currently being transferred to a charitable trust managed by... an anonymous nurse who believes in doing the right thing."
Delia gasped, her eyes widening as she stared at the back of Lincoln’s tall, imposing frame.
Vance stared at him in horror, realizing too late that he had walked into a trap meticulously laid out while he thought he was winning.
"Take him away," Lincoln ordered.
Bruno and two tactical enforcers grabbed Vance by the arms, wrestling him toward a waiting black van before he could utter another threat.
The pier grew quiet again, save for the sound of the waves lapping against the concrete and Garrett coughing up seawater in the distance as rescue lines were finally thrown to haul him out—not to freedom, but to a holding cell where he would spend the rest of his natural life.
May you like
Lincoln turned around, walking slowly back toward Delia and Naomi. The harsh harbor light caught the dark angles of his face, softening just a fraction as his eyes locked onto Delia's.
"Well," Lincoln said quietly. "The medical supplies are ruined. But I think we can find a replacement by morning."
