Chapter 7 - THE BASEMENT DESCENTMarcus didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Marcus lunged across the kitchen island, tackling Rachel hard to the floor before she could press the red button on the detonator!
CLATTER!
The remote skittered across the tile floor toward my feet.
Rachel thrashed beneath Marcus, screaming obscenities, but Marcus’s knee pinned her securely to the ground as he slapped heavy zip-ties around her wrists.
"Mark!" I shouted, pointing toward the basement door. "Shut off the main gas valve! Now!"
Mark sprinted down the basement stairs like a man possessed.
I picked up the remote, slipping it into my pocket, and knelt down beside Rachel, who was glaring up at me with pure venom.
"You'll never make this stick," Rachel spat, blood trickling from her lip where she had bitten it during the tackle. "Julian Sterling’s people own the district judge. By tomorrow morning, I'll be out on bail and you'll be running for your life."
"Julian Sterling was arrested in Manhattan twelve hours ago," I replied softly, leaning down close to her ear. "His entire syndicate was dismantled by federal marshals. You're entirely alone, Rachel."
A heavy, shuddering gasp echoed from the basement stairs.
Mark staggered back up into the kitchen, coughing heavily from the thick odor of natural gas, holding a wrench in his hand.
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"Valve... valve is closed," Mark wheezed, wiping soot from his forehead. He looked at me, his eyes filled with agonizing regret. "Sarah... I'm so sorry."
"Save your apologies for the judge, Mark," I said, my voice completely devoid of emotion. "The police are outside."
