Chapter 7 - The Trap is Set
"Listen to me carefully," I instructed, my voice steady as I pointed to the layout of the bunker's entry tunnels displayed on the central monitor. "Victor thinks we're cornered rats. He's going to bring his heavy hitters through the primary maintenance hatch because it's the fastest route."
Marcus crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "And you want to greet them personally?"
"No," I replied, a cold smile touching my lips—mirroring the one I had seen so often on Carl's face during our quiet afternoons together. "We're going to let them think they've won. Elena, route all secondary power to the eastern access tunnel, but leave the main hatch unlocked. Make it look like a sloppy escape route."
Elena’s fingers flew across the keyboard, executing the command with military precision. "Done. The automated defense turret in the eastern corridor is armed and locked onto the primary approach."
"Good," I said, sliding the Black Ledger into the inner pocket of my jacket. "Marcus, take position behind the reinforced glass partition. Let them enter the antechamber. Once they're inside, cut the lights."
Within minutes, the security monitors flickered as thermal imaging captured multiple heat signatures descending the concrete stairs toward the bunker. Four armed men in tactical gear, led by a tall, heavily scarred figure I recognized instantly from Carl’s old photo files—Victor Thorne—pushed their way through the heavy steel door.
Victor sneered into the camera lens, knowing we were watching. "Come out, little nurse! You can't hide from us forever! Hand over the ledger and maybe we'll make your death quick, just like your precious husband's!"
I watched him from the safety of the reinforced observation room, my reflection staring back at me in the glass. I wasn't the scared, helpless hospice volunteer anymore. I was Mrs. Vance.
"Now, Marcus," I whispered.
May you like
The lights went pitch black.
In the sudden darkness, the automated defense turret whirred to life with a mechanical hum, and the sound of heavy fire echoed through the bunker, followed by shouts of absolute panic.
