Chapter 7 - SHOWDOWN AT THE TOWERThe main building of Channel 9 News stood like a glass fortress in the heart of downtown. Police barricades were already set up around the perimeter; Vance had anticipated I might try to go to the media.
I stood in the alleyway across the street, disguised in an oversized maintenance worker's jumpsuit I’d scavenged from the train yard. Beside me, Rick sat alert, a small black pouch strapped securely around his collar containing the flash drive.
"Alright, Rick," I whispered, kneeling down and looking into his intelligent eyes. "This is it. Remember the game? Go to the light."
I pointed toward the open loading dock at the rear of the news station, where a broadcast van was currently idling with its doors open.
Rick gave a low, determined huff. On my mark, he bolted across the street like a black streak, slipping effortlessly past the distracted security guards and darting straight into the broadcast station's loading bay!
"Hey! Loose dog!" a guard shouted, running after him.
The distraction worked. As three guards broke formation to chase Rick, I slipped through the side emergency exit, using a stolen keycard to bypass the electronic lock.
I dashed up the stairwell, heading straight for the 5th-floor master control room. But as I burst onto the 5th floor landing, a heavy hand grabbed me by the throat, slamming me violently against the concrete wall!
I gasped for air, staring directly into the sinister face of Detective Vance.
"End of the line, kid," Vance sneered, pressing the cold barrel of his silenced pistol against my forehead. "You really thought you could outsmart us?"
Behind him, Mark stepped out from the shadows, a sadistic grin spreading across his face. "Thanks for bringing us right to the source, Leo. Once we kill you here, we'll upload a fake suicide note blaming you for everything. I'll take my rightful place, claim the family fortune, and live the life you stole from me."
"You... are a monster..." I choked out, struggling against Vance's grip.
"Monster?" Mark laughed coldly. "No, brother. I'm a survivor. Now, say goodbye—"
BARK!
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A thunderous roar echoed through the hallway!
Out of nowhere, Rick launched himself off a heavy equipment cart, flying through the air and locking his powerful jaws directly onto Vance's gun arm!
