Chapter 14 - The Tunnel Beneath the Factory
Jessica changed into hospital scrubs and borrowed boots from an agent.
The white wedding gown remained folded in an evidence bag.
Marcus fitted her with a camera and earpiece.
“You stay behind us,” he said.
Jessica nodded.
Rachel watched through the secure feed.
The drainage tunnel was narrower than Jessica remembered.
Water reached her ankles.
Rust covered the support beams.
Halfway through, the team found fresh footprints.
Meridian knew about the route.
An agent signaled silence.
Movement sounded ahead.
Jessica recognized a small maintenance chamber behind the left wall.
She led the team inside seconds before two armed men passed.
Rachel whispered through the earpiece:
“Good.”
Jessica almost smiled.
They reached the warehouse basement.
Above them, factory workers were being held in production zones.
Vale’s operatives had attached blackout transmitters to the communications equipment.
If activated, the devices would disrupt emergency networks and military channels.
Evan stood in the central control room.
He was arguing with Vale.
Jessica’s camera captured the conversation.
“You said she would give us the key,” Evan said.
“She will.”
“And Jessica?”
“Disposable.”
Evan looked shaken.
Despite everything he had done, he had believed his family would protect him and perhaps preserve Jessica.
Vale saw hesitation.
“You married a tool, not a woman.”
Jessica closed her eyes briefly.
Rachel heard her breathing change.
“Stay focused,” she said.
Jessica opened her eyes.
“I am.”
The team prepared to breach.
Then Vale looked directly into a hidden camera.
He smiled.
“Hello, Rachel.”
The feed cut.
May you like
He had known Jessica was inside from the moment she entered the tunnel.
The infiltration was another layer of his trap.
