At the impossible situation Wade had created. And then he smiled. Hard. Cold. All right.
Wade wants to play games. Let's play. He turned to Jake. I need you to find Mrs. Harper. Use every contact we have.
Traffic cameras. Security feeds. Someone saw where they took her. With the Jake's fingers flew over his keyboard. Already on it.
Checking city cameras now. 10 minutes later Jake leaned back. Got something. Black SUV leaving Mrs. Harper's street at 6:15 this morning. License plate matches a rental to one of Wade's shell companies.
Where did it go? Tracked it to the industrial park. Building 12, not 17. Vince's eyes narrowed. He's splitting our forces.
Wants us to send people to rescue Mrs. Harper while he ambushes Evelyn at building 17. Smart, Ray said. What do we do? Vince turned to the room. Addressed all 18 members present.
We split up. Ray, you take 10 brothers to building 12. Get Mrs. Harper out. Quiet. Fast.
No heroics. Ray nodded. Jake, Bobby, and the rest come with me to building 17. We'll be Evelyn's backup. He looked at Evelyn and Loretta.
You both stay here, under guard. No, Evelyn said. I'm going. Absolutely not. But Wade wants me.
If I don't show, he'll kill Mrs. Harper regardless. Vince started to argue, stopped. She was right. Fine, but you're wearing body armor, and you don't move without my say-so. Evelyn nodded.
Loretta stood. I'm coming, too. Mrs. Sutton. That woman is my neighbor, my friend, and this is happening because of my family. I'm coming.
Vince looked at her, saw the same determination he had seen last night. The same steel. All right, but you stay in the van. You don't leave the vehicle under any circumstances. Loretta agreed, but in her mind she was already planning something else entirely.
11:30. The convoy assembled. Two groups. Ray's team heading to building 12 in unmarked vehicles. Vince's team heading to building 17.
Evelyn sat in the back of Vince's van. Body armor strapped over her clothes. Hands clenched in her lap. Loretta sat beside her. Holding her hand.
Whatever happens, Loretta said quietly. I want you to know I'm proud of you. Evelyn's eyes filled with tears. Mom, I Shh. I know.
I've always known. The van pulled into the warehouse district. Abandoned buildings, broken windows, graffiti-covered walls. Building 17 loomed ahead. Three stories of brick and rust.
Wade's black SUV sat out front, waiting. The van stopped 200 yards away. Out of sight behind building 15. Vince turned in his seat. Evelyn, you walk in, get Wade talking.
We'll be right behind you. The second we have a clean shot at extracting you, we move. What about Mrs. Harper? Jake's voice came through the radio. Ray's team just breached building 12.
They've got eyes on Mrs. Harper. She's alive. Four guards. They're moving in now. Evelyn closed her eyes.
Relief washing over her. When Mrs. Harper is clear, Vince continued, we end this. Fast and hard. Evelyn nodded, opened the van door. Loretta grabbed her hand.
Be careful. I will. Evelyn stepped out. Started walking toward building 17. The door was open.
Waiting. She walked through. Inside the warehouse was dark. Shafts of sunlight cutting through holes in the roof. Dust motes dancing in the air.
Wade stood in the center of the space. 15 men around him. Armed. Ms. Sutton, Wade said. Right on time.
I appreciate punctuality. Where is Mrs. Harper? Wade smiled. Safe, for now. Assuming you cooperate.
I'm here. Let her go. All in good time. First we settle our debt. Behind building 15, Vince and his team moved into position.
Circling the warehouse, weapons ready. Jake's voice came through the radio. Ray's team has Mrs. Harper. Extracting now. Four tangos down.
No casualties on our side. Vince allowed himself a small smile. Good. Move to phase two. Inside the warehouse, Wade circled Evelyn like a shark.
12 years ago you cost me everything. My business in Vegas. My reputation. My brother. Your brother broke into my apartment.
I defended myself. And for that you deserve to die. He pulled a gun. Pointed it at her head. Any last words?
Evelyn met his eyes. Yes. Coffee. Coffee. The code word.
The warehouse exploded into chaos. Windows shattered. Hells Angels poured in from every entrance. Vince in the lead. Wade's men opened fire.
Bullets ricocheted off concrete. Muzzle flashes lit the darkness. Vince tackled Evelyn to the ground. Shielded her body with his own. Stay down.
The firefight lasted 90 seconds. It felt like an hour. When the shooting stopped, 14 of Wade's men were on the ground. Dead or wounded. The 15th had his hands up.
Surrendering. Wade Garrison was gone. Vince pulled Evelyn to her feet. You hurt? She shook her head.
Ears ringing, heart pounding. Where's Wade? Jake pointed to a back door. He ran when the shooting started. Headed for the parking lot.
Vince sprinted for the exit. Burst through. Wade was climbing into his SUV. Vince raised his weapon. Don't.
Wade smiled, held up a small device, a detonator. You think you've won? I've got insurance. He pressed the button. Nothing happened.