Chapter 6 - Infiltration
The Blackwood Tower on Michigan Avenue towered forty stories above the bustling morning traffic, a monument to corporate wealth and underworld dominance.
At 11:45 a.m., a nondescript black utility van bearing the logo of a commercial HVAC repair service pulled smoothly into the underground parking garage. The driver—Victor, wearing a blue technician jumpsuit—flashed a forged security badge at the parking attendant, who waved them through without a second glance.
In the back of the van, Claire adjusted the collar of her own dark technician uniform, her hands slightly damp as she checked the strap of the concealed holster Ethan had insisted she wear.
“Remember,” Ethan said, checking the magazine of his suppressed pistol one last time. “You stay close to Victor near the freight elevators. Once we reach the executive penthouse level, I go in first. You only speak when spoken to, and if things go sideways, you take the service stairwell down to the basement exit. Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Claire nodded firmly, though her stomach was tied in knots. “And Noah?”
Victor tapped a heavy tactical duffel bag resting on the bench beside him. “We left him with a trusted contact—a retired midwife who owes the Boss a life debt. He’s safe.”
May you like
Ethan looked at Claire, his dark eyes softening for a fraction of a second. “Thank you, Claire. For everything. If we don’t walk out of here... I want you to know you brought more light into my world in three days than I’ve seen in thirty years.”
“Save the eulogy, Ethan,” Claire said, offering a tight, brave smile. “Let’s go crash a board meeting.”
