I raise an eyebrow. “It’s worth more than millions of dollars in diamonds?”
“Yes,” he replies bluntly. “Don’t letanyoneelse have it, Genesis. Including Declan.” With that, he flicks his mic back on.
I guess the conversation’s done, and I’m left wondering what could be so important, anddisturbed that Kurt doesn’t seem to trust anyone else in the crew.
Or maybe he just doesn’t trust Declan. That’s fair; I’m not sure how much I do, either. Even if I want to.
“Cole, Declan, how are you doing?” Kurt asks.
“Need another minute here,”Cole replies.“I’ve cable-tied the door handle, and I’m shifting some desks to slow them down.”
“Mine’s done,”Declan says.“I’ll do some desks too.”He doesn’t go so far as to admit Cole had a good idea.
“Roger that.” Kurt starts pacing back and forth, head lowered, brow furrowed.
“I already have company.”Declan’s voice has a terse edge.
“Shit. They must’ve seen the elevators go down.”
“Yeah. Well, they’re trying the door. It’s holding so far, but…”
“Cole, anything your side?” Kurt asks.
“Negative. Want me to join Declan?”
“Not yet. See if you get any activity first.”
I’m tempted to get my pistol out, but holding it won’t bring me any comfort. My nails bite into my palms. I can’t wait until we’re out on the roof and jumping, leaving this place behind us.
Dario must only be halfway through by now. Declan still has to hold that door for four minutes, outnumbered and outgunned.
Why won’t Kurt send Cole over?
“Uh… guys?”Cammy’s voice.“We’ve just been passed by two security cars heading your way fast. And worse, two unmarked bikes.”
I glance at Kurt, and he’s clenching his jaw.
“Understood.” He doesn’t acknowledge my look. “Declan?”
Before he can answer, the distinct crack of gunshots comes from the direction of the elevators.
“Yeah, they’re trying to shoot it open,”he drawls, like he’s not the next target they’ll be shooting at.“Door’s protecting the zip ties. It’s holding so far.”
“Well, let’s give them a distraction,” Kurt mutters, getting up and pulling open the external vault door. White smoke pours out, and the hissing sound jumps in volume. Where Dario’s working there’s a fiercely blinding light as bright as the sun, and I look away fast. “Fire alarm’s about to trigger, Tasha.”
“Acknowledged. That puts SFFD at four minutes for their fastest response.”
The smoke is so thick I have to move away, coughing. Kurt puts a sleeve over his face but stays put, keeping an eye on Dario in the vault. Ten seconds later, the fire alarm goes off. It’s a piercing three-pulse pattern, loud enough to make me wince, and strobe lights activate in the ceiling.
A pre-recorded voice comes out of the PA system:“Attention. A fire has been reported in the building. Please proceed to the nearest stairwell in an orderly fashion.”
“Now we’ll see if security cares more about getting in here than doing their jobs,” Kurt says over the noise. “Dario?”
“Need two minutes here.” His voice is muffled by his mask.
“Declan?”
“Don’t think they’ve gone away.”
