The Payback (Team Zulu 2)

I pulled out my phone. The small amount of light from the screen illuminated the plush bedroom and the large four-poster bed within.

The security app showed four guards in the corridor. I shook my head. “There’re too many close by. Time to call in reinforcements.”

I sent Shep a message requesting a perimeter diversion. It wouldn’t take him long. Shep was ready and waiting to ping sniper shots at the mercenaries in the turret towers. He wouldn’t hit anyone, but he’d have fun taunting them.

The chatter in my earpiece shifted into a frenzy. “It’s working. They’re diverting resources to the wall.” I watched my phone as red dots headed toward the east perimeter, including the ones in the corridor.

Only two guards remained at the entrance to the west wing, and their attention was on the party and ensuring guests didn’t wander where they shouldn’t. Still, if they turned around, they’d be onto us, so we had to move fast. With no one standing between us and the double doors to the vault room, we were clear to go. We exited the bedroom, pistols in hand, and made our way down the hall.

At the end of the corridor, I crouched and jimmied an endoscope camera under the set of heavy wooden doors while Sage kept a lookout. The image showed a long gallery, each wall lined with a dozen alcoves. Spotlights shone down upon sculptures, paintings, and artifacts. At the end of the gallery was the open doorway leading to the vault room. No sign of Dante or the governor. They must be at the vault.

I found the security code on my cell phone and punched the numbers into the keypad. Sage and I slipped inside and shut the door behind us.

“I hear voices,” Sage whispered. “They’re arguing.”

Perfect. Any distraction would be helpful. Plus, the music from the party was loud enough to drown out our footfalls as we approached.

Sticking to the wall, we passed antique war relics. A Viking sword and shield, ancient daggers and throwing stars, and a lethal-looking scimitar.

We removed our masks and laid them on the floor. They were no use now and would only hinder our vision.

Nearing the end of the gallery, the angry conversation between Dante and the governor became clearer. We hid behind an archway that separated us from the vault room with our pistols at the ready.

Sage’s wide brown eyes met mine. She seemed anxious but determined. We shared a nod, a silent agreement to stick to our plan. Sage would stay in the gallery as lookout while I handled things at the vault.

Dante and Governor Drummond continued their tense words.

“There could be a hundred copies of that video. How do I know this is the only one?” the governor said.

“It’s called trust, Roger. My family has kept your secret for years. It’s in our best interests to keep it that way.” Dante’s voice.

“What about the one that was stolen from Vixens?”

A pause. “What are you talking about?”

I entered the room while aiming my pistol at Dante. He and the governor stood behind a solid mahogany desk. The laptop open before them had the hard drive connected. Dante must be proving possession of the governor’s incriminating files.

“I’m afraid I may have misled you there, Governor,” I said.

Both men stared at me in surprise.

“You,” said the governor with a sneer, derision dripping from the word.

Behind the men, the solid steel door to the vault lay open. Inside was a trove of gold, cash, and no doubt other riches.

“Yes. Me,” I replied, fully aware I sounded like an arrogant son of a bitch.

Dante’s hand edged toward his jacket.

“Pistol on the floor, Moretti. Then kick it to me.”

With a muttered curse, he did as I asked.

“And I’ll be taking that hard drive.”

Dante shook his head. “You should’ve left town when you had the chance, Lewis.”

So, he knew who I was. “No thanks. I like Philly. Think I might stick around for a while.”