Chapter 3
Vincent didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second; his hand swept across the metallic counter, grabbing the brass key and sliding it deep into his interior jacket pocket.
With explosive, athletic speed, Vincent kicked his heavy barstool backward directly into the path of the nearest charcoal-suited operative.
The heavy metal stool slammed into the operative's shins with a dull, sickening thud, buying Vincent a vital window of three precious seconds.
He vaulted over the classic metallic counter, shattering a pyramid of clean ceramic coffee mugs into a million glittering shards across the linoleum floor.
"Stop him!" Cole bellowed, drawing his service weapon as the diner exploded into chaotic, high-stakes violence.
A silenced gunshot cracked through the humid night air, chewing through the thick wooden counter-top just millimeters from where Vincent’s hand had rested moments before.
Martha screamed, ducking beneath the stainless steel grill as smoke and shattered glass rained down across the kitchen appliances.
Vincent scrambled through the service exit doors leading directly into the dimly lit, rain-slicked alleyway behind the diner.
Torrents of heavy rain poured down from the black American sky, instantly soaking his navy blue suit and plastering his dark hair against his forehead.
He didn't look back; he sprinted toward his parked sedan, his polished leather shoes splashing wildly through the deep puddles of the gravel parking lot.
Behind him, the heavy glass doors of the diner shattered inward as Cole and his armed operatives swarmed out into the torrential downpour.
"Cut off the highway access roads!" Cole roared into his shoulder-mounted tactical radio, his voice echoing across the empty interstate.
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Vincent ripped open his car door, threw himself into the driver's seat, and jammed the ignition key into the column with frantic, lethal efficiency.
The engine roared to life with a deep, throaty growl, its tires spinning violently against the mud before gripping the asphalt and fishtailing onto the dark highway.
