Chapter 11 - THE HELICOPTER ARRIVAL
Stepping out of the rear passenger seat of the black helicopter was an elderly man in a wheelchair wrapped in a heavy wool coat.
He had sharp silver hair, a dark oxygen tube under his nose, and eyes that burned with terrifying, ancient malice.
Beside him walked Brenda, the hotel manager, carrying a thick yellowed folder stamped with a red corporate seal.
"That's Julian Vance..." Clara whispered to herself, recognizing the patriarch from photos Richard had shown her.
Julian looked directly up at the penthouse window, raising his leather-gloved hand to signal his waiting men.
Four more heavily armed operatives poured out of the helicopter, rushing into the hotel’s main entrance with breaching tools.
Inside the safe room, Clara watched the security monitors in horror as the men bypassed the primary lobby security controls.
They weren't interested in the hotel guests or the fire investigation; they were coming up to finish the job.
"Clara... listen to me very carefully," Mr. Cole’s voice came back through the intercom, sounding slightly stronger now.
"There is an emergency escape hatch in the ceiling of the safe room that leads to the window-washing rig," Cole instructed.
May you like
"You need to climb up to the roof and get onto that rig before Julian’s men breach the penthouse door," he added.
***
