Chapter 8: The## Chapter 8: The Door Bene Door Beneath the Warehouse
At 11:15 p.m., Frankath the Warehouse
At 11:15 p.m., Frank stood in front of the mirror stood in front of the mirror inside the clubhouse bathroom.
He had changed into a clean black shirt and his oldest leather vest.
The inside the clubhouse bathroom.
He had changed into a clean black shirt and his oldest leather vest.
The one Daniel had given him thirty years earlier.
He checked the silver key in his pocket.
Then one Daniel had given him thirty years earlier.
He checked the silver key in his pocket.
Then he looked at himself.
“Twenty-two years,” he whispered.
He had spent twenty-two years believing his he looked at himself.
“Twenty-two years,” he whispered.
He had spent twenty-two years believing his mother was dead.
Twenty years believing his brother had abandoned him.
And three months believing a frightened little mother was dead.
Twenty years believing his brother had abandoned him.
And three months believing a frightened little girl was simply caught in a family dispute.
Every one of those beliefs had been wrong.
When Frank walked into girl was simply caught in a family dispute.
Every one of those beliefs had been wrong.
When Frank walked into the main room, Ray was waiting.
He held out a small flashlight.
“Take this.””
Frank the main room, Ray was waiting.
He held out a small flashlight.
“Take this.””
Frank accepted it.
“You're not coming.””
Ray gave him a tired smile.
“Didn't accepted it.
“You're not coming.””
Ray gave him a tired smile.
“Didn't ask permission.””
“Ray.””
“Frank, I've watched ask permission.””
“Ray.””
“Frank, I've watched you make bad decisions for thirty years. I'm not letting you make this one alone.””
Frank looked around you make bad decisions for thirty years. I'm not letting you make this one alone.””
Frank looked around.
Marcus, Tony, and the other Steel Ravens were gathered near the motorcycles.
Nobody was smiling.
Marcus, Tony, and the other Steel Ravens were gathered near the motorcycles.
Nobody was smiling.
Nobody was joking.
They all knew this was different.
Frank placed both hands on the table.
“Listen carefully.
Nobody was joking.
They all knew this was different.
Frank placed both hands on the table.
“Listen carefully. We are not going in there to start a war. We're going in to get.
We are not going in there to start a war. We're going in to get two women and a little boy out alive.””
Marcus nodded.
“And if Dean's people are armed two women and a little boy out alive.””
Marcus nodded.
“And if Dean's people are armed?””
“Then we let the police handle them.””
Ray folded his arms.
“Good. Because I didn't?””
“Then we let the police handle them.””
Ray folded his arms.
“Good. Because I didn't ride all these years just to end up in prison over ride all these years just to end up in prison over some idiot with an insurance policy.””
A few men some idiot with an insurance policy.””
A few men laughed.
It was brief.
But Frank appreciated it.
At 11:32 p.m., Detective Mitchell arrived.
She laughed.
It was brief.
But Frank appreciated it.
At 11:32 p.m., Detective Mitchell arrived.
She carried a folder and a radio.
“The warrant has been approved. The tactical team is positioned carried a folder and a radio.
“The warrant has been approved. The tactical team is positioned around the industrial property.””
Frank stood.
“Then let's move.””
Mitchell stopped around the industrial property.””
Frank stood.
“Then let's move.””
Mitchell stopped him.
“One condition.””
“What?””
“You follow my instructions. Nobody enters him.
“One condition.””
“What?””
“You follow my instructions. Nobody enters a restricted area without authorization. Nobody touches evidence. And nobody plays hero.””
Frank looked at Ray.
Ray a restricted area without authorization. Nobody touches evidence. And nobody plays hero.””
Frank looked at Ray.
Ray shrugged.
“She means you.””
Frank sighed.
“Fine.””
The industrial shrugged.
“She means you.””
Frank sighed.
“Fine.””
The industrial property stood behind a rusted chain-link fence.
Tall weeds covered the entrance. Broken windows lined the upper property stood behind a rusted chain-link fence.
Tall weeds covered the entrance. Broken windows lined the upper floors, and an old sign hung crookedly above the loading bay.
There were no lights.
floors, and an old sign hung crookedly above the loading bay.
There were no lights.
No visible security.
But Frank knew better.
DeanNo visible security.
But Frank knew better.
Dean had spent three months hiding people in places nobody bothered had spent three months hiding people in places nobody bothered to investigate.
Mitchell's team moved toward the building.
Two officers checked the main to investigate.
Mitchell's team moved toward the building.
Two officers checked the main entrance.
Another group circled the perimeter.
Frank and Ray waited behind a entrance.
Another group circled the perimeter.
Frank and Ray waited behind a police vehicle.
Then police vehicle.
Then a radio crackled.
“Detective, we've located a secondary entrance.””
Mitchell turned.
“Where?””
“Behind the loading dock. There's a staircase leading underground.””
Frank's a radio crackled.
“Detective, we've located a secondary entrance.””
Mitchell turned.
“Where?””
“Behind the loading dock. There's a staircase leading underground.””
Frank's heart began pounding.
The staircase.
Room 17.
He looked at the silver key.
“That's where we're going.””
Mit heart began pounding.
The staircase.
Room 17.
He looked at the silver key.
“That's where we're going.””
Mitchell nodded to the tactical officers.
They descended first.
The stairs were narrow and damp.
A faint chemical smell hungchell nodded to the tactical officers.
They descended first.
The stairs were narrow and damp.
A faint chemical smell hung in the air.
At the bottom was a long corridor with white walls and flickering fluorescent lights.
It in the air.
At the bottom was a long corridor with white walls and flickering fluorescent lights.
It looked like a hospital.
But there were no nurses.
No reception desk.
No signs of ordinary medical care.
Only locked looked like a hospital.
But there were no nurses.
No reception desk.
No signs of ordinary medical care.
Only locked doors.
Ray whispered, “This place gives me the creeps.””
Frank noticed doors.
Ray whispered, “This place gives me the creeps.””
Frank noticed something scratched into the wall.
A small raven.
The same symbol embroidered on his something scratched into the wall.
A small raven.
The same symbol embroidered on his vest.
He ran his fingers over it.
Daniel had been here.
At the end of the corridor, Mitchell found vest.
He ran his fingers over it.
Daniel had been here.
At the end of the corridor, Mitchell found a security panel.
A keypad.
Beside it was a metal a security panel.
A keypad.
Beside it was a metal plaque.
*ROOM 17 — AUTHORIZED ACCESS ONLY.*
Frank pulled out the key.
It fit into plaque.
*ROOM 17 — AUTHORIZED ACCESS ONLY.*
Frank pulled out the key.
It fit into a small slot beneath the keypad.
He turned it.
A red light flashed.
Then a green one.
The door unlocked.
a small slot beneath the keypad.
He turned it.
A red light flashed.
Then a green one.
The door unlocked.
Mitchell raised her hand.
“Everyone hold position.””
Frank stepped forward.
“Wait.””
He heard something.
Mitchell raised her hand.
“Everyone hold position.””
Frank stepped forward.
“Wait.””
He heard something.
A faint tapping.
Three taps.
Then three more.
He moved closer.
“Emily?””
SilA faint tapping.
Three taps.
Then three more.
He moved closer.
“Emily?””
Silence.
Then a woman's voice.
“Frank?””
His heart nearly stopped.
“Emily?””
The door opened a few inchesence.
Then a woman's voice.
“Frank?””
His heart nearly stopped.
“Emily?””
The door opened a few inches.
A pale face appeared in the gap.
Emily Carter.
Her hair was tangled. Her cheeks.
A pale face appeared in the gap.
Emily Carter.
Her hair was tangled. Her cheeks were hollow, and there were dark circles beneath her eyes.
But she was alive.
Frank took were hollow, and there were dark circles beneath her eyes.
But she was alive.
Frank took a step forward.
“Where's Daniel?””
Emily grabbed his sleeve.
“Don't let them take a step forward.
“Where's Daniel?””
Emily grabbed his sleeve.
“Don't let them take the ledger.””
“What ledger?””
“The original one. It's the only thing that can prove everything the ledger.””
“What ledger?””
“The original one. It's the only thing that can prove everything.””
Mitchell moved toward them.
“Emily Carter, I'm Detective Mitchell. You're safe.””
Mitchell moved toward them.
“Emily Carter, I'm Detective Mitchell. You're safe. We need to get you out.””
Emily shook her head.
“Not until you find the boy.””
Frank's. We need to get you out.””
Emily shook her head.
“Not until you find the boy.””
Frank's stomach tightened.
“Where's Ethan?””
“Downstairs. They moved him after Sarah escaped.””
Ray looked at stomach tightened.
“Where's Ethan?””
“Downstairs. They moved him after Sarah escaped.””
Ray looked at the corridor.
“How many levels are there?””
“Two more.””
Mitchell immediately radioed the tactical team.
Then Emily looked at Frank the corridor.
“How many levels are there?””
“Two more.””
Mitchell immediately radioed the tactical team.
Then Emily looked at Frank.
“Your brother is here.””
Frank swallowed.
“Where?””
Emily pointed toward.
“Your brother is here.””
Frank swallowed.
“Where?””
Emily pointed toward the far end of the corridor.
“Room 19.””
Frank started walking.
the far end of the corridor.
“Room 19.””
Frank started walking.
Emily grabbed his arm.
“Frank, wait.””
He turned.
“What?””
She looked terrified.
Emily grabbed his arm.
“Frank, wait.””
He turned.
“What?””
She looked terrified.
“Daniel doesn't know what happened to your mother.””
Frank frowned.
“What do you mean?””
“He thinks“Daniel doesn't know what happened to your mother.””
Frank frowned.
“What do you mean?””
“He thinks she's been moved.””
“But Sarah said—”
“Sarah doesn't know everything.””
Emily's voice she's been moved.””
“But Sarah said—”
“Sarah doesn't know everything.””
Emily's voice dropped.
“Your mother isn't being held in Room 17.””
Frank stared at her.
“Then where is she?””
Emily looked toward dropped.
“Your mother isn't being held in Room 17.””
Frank stared at her.
“Then where is she?””
Emily looked toward the floor.
“She's the reason this entire place was the floor.
“She's the reason this entire place was built.””
Before Frank could ask another question, a loud alarm sounded.
Red lights began flashing.
A voice came over built.””
Before Frank could ask another question, a loud alarm sounded.
Red lights began flashing.
A voice came over the building's speakers.
“Unauthorized access detected. Security lockdown initiated.””
Mitchell shouted into her radio.
“Lock down the exits! Nobody the building's speakers.
“Unauthorized access detected. Security lockdown initiated.””
Mitchell shouted into her radio.
“Lock down the exits! Nobody leaves!””
Metal doors slammed shut along the corridor.
Frank heard footsteps.
Fast footsteps.
Then someone leaves!””
Metal doors slammed shut along the corridor.
Frank heard footsteps.
Fast footsteps.
Then someone shouted from behind the officers.
“Movement on the lower level!””
The tactical team rushed forward.
Ray grabbed shouted from behind the officers.
“Movement on the lower level!””
The tactical team rushed forward.
Ray grabbed Frank's shoulder.
“Stay close.””
A door opened at the far end.
A man stepped out.
Frank's shoulder.
“Stay close.””
A door opened at the far end.
A man stepped out.
He was holding a gun.
Frank barely had time to react before the officers shoutedHe was holding a gun.
Frank barely had time to react before the officers shouted.
“POLICE! DROP THE WEAPON!””
The man turned and ran.
“POLICE! DROP THE WEAPON!””
The man turned and ran.
Two officers chased him.
Another explosion of noise echoed from somewhere.
Two officers chased him.
Another explosion of noise echoed from somewhere below.
Frank looked at Emily.
“Where's Daniel?””
She pointed again.
“Room below.
Frank looked at Emily.
“Where's Daniel?””
She pointed again.
“Room 19.””
Frank ran.
The door was slightly open.
He pushed it.
And there, sitting19.””
Frank ran.
The door was slightly open.
He pushed it.
And there, sitting on the edge of a narrow hospital bed, was his brother.
Daniel Callahan.
For twenty years, Frank on the edge of a narrow hospital bed, was his brother.
Daniel Callahan.
For twenty years, Frank had imagined what he would say if they ever met again.
He had rehearsed angry speeches.
He had imagined questions had imagined what he would say if they ever met again.
He had rehearsed angry speeches.
He had imagined questions.
He had imagined tears.
But when Daniel looked up, Frank couldn't say a word.
His.
He had imagined tears.
But when Daniel looked up, Frank couldn't say a word.
His brother stood slowly.
His eyes filled.
“Frank?””
Frank brother stood slowly.
His eyes filled.
“Frank?””
Frank stared at him.
“Danny.””
Neither moved.
Then Daniel whispered:
stared at him.
“Danny.””
Neither moved.
Then Daniel whispered:
“You shouldn't have come.””
Frank let out a broken laugh.
“That's what“You shouldn't have come.””
Frank let out a broken laugh.
“That's what you have to say after twenty years?””
Daniel lowered his head.
“I know.””
Frank stepped forward.
“Where you have to say after twenty years?””
Daniel lowered his head.
“I know.””
Frank stepped forward.
“Where have you been?””
“Trying to keep them alive.””
“Who?””
Daniel looked toward the corridor.
“Everyone.””
have you been?””
“Trying to keep them alive.””
“Who?””
Daniel looked toward the corridor.
“Everyone.””
Then he grabbed Frank's arm.
“Listen to me. We don'tThen he grabbed Frank's arm.
“Listen to me. We don't have much time.””
“What happened to Mom?””
Daniel's face crumpled.
“Frank, I need you to understand have much time.””
“What happened to Mom?””
Daniel's face crumpled.
“Frank, I need you to understand something.””
He pointed toward a locked door at the back of the room.
Behind it was another staircase.
A staircase leading farther underground.
“Mom something.””
He pointed toward a locked door at the back of the room.
Behind it was another staircase.
A staircase leading farther underground.
“Mom isn't dead.””
Frank felt his throat tighten.
“Then where is she?””
Daniel looked at him.
“ isn't dead.””
Frank felt his throat tighten.
“Then where is she?””
Daniel looked at him.
“Below us.””
Before Frank could respond, a small voice came through the locked door.
“Daddy?””
DanielBelow us.””
Before Frank could respond, a small voice came through the locked door.
“Daddy?””
Daniel turned.
His face changed instantly.
“Ethan?””
A tiny hand appeared beneath the door.
Then a turned.
His face changed instantly.
“Ethan?””
A tiny hand appeared beneath the door.
Then a child's voice whispered:
“Daddy, please don't let them take Grandma again child's voice whispered:
“Daddy, please don't let them take Grandma again.””
Frank looked at Daniel.
“Grandma?””
Daniel closed his eyes.
And from somewhere beneath their feet came the sound of a woman singing.
A song Frank hadn't heard since childhood.””
Frank looked at Daniel.
“Grandma?””
Daniel closed his eyes.
And from somewhere beneath their feet came the sound of a woman singing.
May you like
A song Frank hadn't heard since childhood.
Their mother's lullaby.
