Chapter 7 - The Salon Under Siege
Inside Magnolia & Main, the rain created a rhythmic, drumming baseline against the reinforced window shutters.
Camille stood by her styling station, her hand resting near a heavy pair of stainless steel shears. Lila was sitting on the floor in the corner of the back office, wrapped in a blanket, holding Ranger's head in her lap.
David stood near the hallway leading to the alley entrance, his Glock held in a low ready position.
"She won't come through the front," David murmured, his eyes fixed on the rear door monitor mounted on the wall. "Main Street has too much foot traffic, even in the rain. If Rebecca Vale is coming to clear her track, she'll use the service alley."
On the monitor, a sleek white Audi pulled slowly into the narrow alley behind the salon, its tires splashing through deep puddles.
The driver's door opened.
A tall woman wearing a dark trench coat and a wide-brimmed rain hat stepped out. Bright red hair spilled out from under the brim. She carried a heavy leather tote bag over her shoulder.
"That's her," Camille whispered, looking over David's shoulder at the screen.
David checked his watch. "Grant is two minutes away. I'm going to step out and detain her before she touches that door handle."
"David, be careful," Camille warned. "She isn't acting alone."
David gave his sister a reassuring nod, unlocked the heavy steel alley door, and stepped out into the rain, shutting the door firmly behind him.
Outside, the air smelled of wet asphalt and diesel exhaust.
"Rebecca Vale!" David called out, his voice booming in the narrow brick alleyway. "New Hanover County Sheriff's Office! Keep your hands where I can see them!"
Rebecca froze five feet from the salon door. She slowly turned around, her face pale, her red lips set in a tight, elegant line.
"Sergeant Harper?" she said, her voice remarkable for its composure. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"Step away from the vehicle, Ms. Vale," David commanded, advancing slowly with his weapon pointed at her midsection. "We know about the port manifest. We know about Natalie."
Rebecca's eyes flicked past David toward the end of the alley. A faint, terrible smile touched her red lips.
"You're a good brother, Sergeant," she said softly. "But you're out of your depth."
Before David could react, a black pickup truck reversed into the alley at high speed, slamming into the rear of his parked patrol cruiser, blocking the exit.
The driver's side window dropped, and the barrel of a shotgun emerged from the cab.
"David! Down!"
May you like
The voice screamed from the far end of the alley.
Grant Mercer had arrived.
