"We need to move," Kirk announces, checking his watch."We've already been here too long.Dougal's men might be on their way up right now."
As if on cue, Kirk's phone buzzes with a text.He pulls it out, and I'm expecting the message to contain some sort of death threat from Dougal's goons.But instead, it's from an unknown number and contains just two words:Hurry up, ye cacan.
"Guys," I call out, showing them the screen."Either we have another enemy I don't know about, or someone's trying to help us."
Kirk glances at the message and curses under his breath."It's Tam.He must be using a burner phone."He grabs his jacket and keys."We need to go.Immediately."
I wince."This is probably a dumb question, but what is a'cacan'?"
"A stupid piece of shite."Kirk clasps my hand."May we go now?"
"Yes, of course."
We move quickly through the apartment, gathering only what's essential.I stuff a few clothes into my bag, along with my laptop and charger.Kirk chooses a small duffel that I guess has a few guns in it from the way he handles it with such care.Archie is already at the door, peering through the peephole to make sure the coast is clear.
"The hallway's empty," he tells us, his voice barely above a whisper."But we should take the service lift like ye said, Kirk."
We stealthily slip out of the apartment, and Kirk locks the door behind us though, I wonder what's the point since Dougal already has a key.We move quickly down the hallway toward the service corridor.Kirk leads the way with Archie between us.I feel like I'm in some kind of spy movie, except the danger is real and my heart is hammering so hard that I'm surprised the others can't hear it.
The service corridor is dimly lit and smells like cleaning supplies.Kirk pushes open a heavy metal door that reveals a small elevator."This goes straight down to the parking garage, from there we can take the back exit."
"Wouldn't they be watching all the exits?"I ask, stepping into the elevator behind Archie.
"Aye, they might be," Kirk admits as he pushes the button for the garage level."But they're not expecting us to leave right now.And they certainly aren't expecting us to take this route."
The elevator creaks and groans as it descends, making me wince at every sound.My nerves are stretched so thin I'm surprised they haven't snapped.The small space feels even smaller with Kirk's broad frame taking up most of it, but I find his presence reassuring rather than stifling.
I nudge Kirk's arm."What's the plan once we're in the garage?"
"We get to my SUV without being seen," he replies, checking his phone."It's parked in the far corner, near the emergency exit.We'll have to move quickly and stay low."
The elevator jolts to a stop, making my stomach lurch.Kirk puts a finger to his lips and carefully peers out as the doors glide open with a soft ping that sounds deafening in the silence.The parking garage is dimly lit and eerily quiet, the concrete walls amplifying every little sound.
"Clear," Kirk whispers as he steps out first.Then he motions for us to follow.I'm struck again by how at home he seems in these high-pressure situations.
We move swiftly between parked cars, staying low and using them as cover.Kirk leads us in a zigzag pattern toward the back of the garage where I can see his black SUV waiting.The situation is so surreal that the garage begins to feel like a horror movie set---complete with dim lighting and ominous shadows.My every instinct urges me to run, but I force myself to stay focused, following Kirk's lead as we weave through the parked vehicles.
We're about twenty feet from Kirk's SUV when I hear footsteps echoing off the concrete walls.Kirk freezes, raising his hand to signal us to stop.I hold my breath, pressing myself against the side of a nearby sedan.The footsteps grow louder and more deliberate.
"They're coming from the main entrance," Archie whispers, his face pale in the dim light.
Kirk nods, motioning toward a different route."Change of plans.This way."
We veer left, ducking behind a row of cars as two men in dark clothing enter the garage.Even from this distance, I can tell they're Dougal's goons from their imposing builds and the way they scan the area with practiced precision.
Kirk halts."We need a diversion."
Archie nods, reaching into his backpack and pulling out what looks like a small remote."I've got just the thing.When I press this, the fire alarm on the other side of the garage will go off.It should buy us enough time."
"Do it," Kirk instructs, his gaze never wavering from the two men who are now methodically checking between cars.
Archie presses the button, and immediately a shrill alarm pierces the air from the opposite end of the garage.The two goons have snapped to attention, drawing weapons from inside their jackets as they move toward the sound.
"Now!"Kirk hisses, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward his SUV.
We sprint the remaining distance, keeping low, our shoes barely making a sound on the concrete floor.My lungs burn with the effort of controlling my breathing as we reach the SUV at last.Kirk unlocks it with a soft click of his key fob, and we pile in---Kirk in the driver's seat, me beside him, and Archie in the back, already hunched over his laptop again.The engine purrs to life, thankfully quieter than I expected for such a powerful vehicle.
"Stay down," Kirk whispers as he navigates through the rows of parked cars, keeping his headlights off.I sink lower in my seat, hugging myself as I watch the goons through the side mirror.They're still investigating the alarm, but it won't take them long to realize they've been tricked.
