Chapter 3 - The blast knocked everyone to the floor.Clara screamed.
Dust filled the air.
Liam was already moving.
He pulled Clara behind him as two masked men rushed through the smoke.
Bobby tackled one.
Another raised a weapon.
Liam slammed his arm aside.
The shot struck the ceiling.
Clara saw Tommy trying to free himself.
“Tommy!”
She rushed toward him.
Liam shouted.
“Clara, DOWN!”
She dropped.
A bullet ripped through the rope around Tommy's wrist.
Tommy fell sideways.
Liam reached him.
“Move.”
They dragged Tommy toward the back exit.
Outside, sirens suddenly appeared.
Clara blinked.
“Police?”
Nobody looked relieved.
Liam looked at Bobby.
“How did they know?”
Bobby shook his head.
“We didn't call them.”
Liam's jaw tightened.
The sirens stopped.
Three patrol cars surrounded the warehouse.
Officers stepped out.
The first officer shouted.
“Put your hands where we can see them!”
Clara stared.
One of the officers walked forward.
“Clara Higgins?”
“Yes?”
“We need you to come with us.”
Liam stepped between them.
“She isn't going anywhere.”
The officer's hand moved toward his weapon.
“Step aside.”
Liam stared at the badge.
Then at the officer's face.
“You're Officer Mason.”
The officer paused.
“You know me?”
“I know exactly who you are.”
Mason's expression changed.
Liam looked at Bobby.
“Take Tommy.”
Two bikers disappeared with him.
Clara looked confused.
“Why are you running from the police?”
Liam's voice was low.
“Because some of them are on the list.”
Her stomach tightened.
Mason shouted.
“STOP!”
The bikers moved.
Clara suddenly felt a hand grab her from behind.
She turned.
A masked man shoved something into her jacket.
Then disappeared into the darkness.
She reached inside.
A small red key.
Nothing else.
Liam noticed.
“What did he give you?”
Clara opened her hand.
The key was stamped with one number.
Liam stared at it.
His expression changed.
“What?”
“I know where that goes.”
“Where?”
“Copper Creek Diner.”
Clara frowned.
“The diner?”
“Storage locker 317.”
“But the diner doesn't have lockers.”
Liam shook his head.
“The owner used to run a private gambling room underneath it.”
Clara stared at him.
“My boss?”
“Maybe.”
A sudden thought struck her.
“Tommy said the ledger was in my apartment.”
Liam looked at her.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because if the ledger were there, those men would've already found it.”
“Then where is it?”
He looked toward the diner in the distance.
“I think Tommy lied.”
Clara stared.
“Why would he lie to me?”
Liam didn't answer.
Instead, he took the key.
“We're going back.”
When they reached Copper Creek, the parking lot was empty.
Too empty.
The diner's front door was unlocked.
Clara's heart began pounding.
“Wait.”
She reached for Liam's arm.
“What?”
“My boss never leaves this door unlocked.”
Liam looked at Bobby.
“Check the back.”
Bobby disappeared.
Seconds later, he shouted.
“President!”
They ran inside.
The diner looked untouched.
Coffee cups sat on tables.
The lights were on.
But there was blood on the floor.
Clara stopped.
“Lily!”
Her heart nearly stopped.
“Lily!”
No answer.
She ran toward the back room.
Empty.
Bobby appeared.
“She isn't here.”
Clara spun around.
“My sister!”
Then her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?”
A man's voice whispered.
“If you want Lily alive, bring Liam Henderson.”
Clara's knees weakened.
“Who are you?”
“You have one hour.”
The line went dead.
Liam took the phone from her.
“What did he say?”
Clara looked at him.
Her face was white.
“They took Lily.”
For the first time, Liam's calm expression cracked.
He looked at Bobby.
“Find every camera in this town.”
Then he turned to Clara.
“Whoever took your sister just made the biggest mistake of his life.”
Clara shook her head.
“No.”
Liam looked at her.
“This isn't about your brother anymore.”
She whispered.
“Then what is it about?”
May you like
Liam's eyes hardened.
“You.”
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