Chapter 9 - The Exchange Protocol
They reached the underground loading dock. The unmarked SUV was idling near the massive rolling steel doors, rain lashing against its windshield from the open street beyond.
Mercer was slumped in the driver's seat, one hand gripping the steering wheel, the other pressing a dark, blood-soaked cloth against his side.
Lily threw open the passenger door and climbed in, tossing the ledger onto the center console.
"I got it," she panted.
Mercer looked at the book, a dark, triumphant smile crossing his pale face. "Good girl."
Cole climbed into the back seat, scanning the perimeter with his rifle. "We need to vanish, Boss. The CPD is three minutes out."
"We aren't vanishing," Mercer said, shifting the car into gear. "We're going to Lake Forest."
"What?" Lily yelled, turning to face him. "You need a hospital, Mercer! You've lost too much blood."
"I have the ledger," Mercer said, his voice hard. He pulled a burner phone from his pocket and hit redial. He put it on speaker.
The line rang twice before a deep, heavily accented voice answered.
"John," Ivan Volkov said, the amusement clear in his voice. "I hear my men had a rough night at the hospital."
"I have the book, Ivan," Mercer said, steering the SUV out of the tunnel and into the driving rain. "And you have my sister."
"A trade, then?" Volkov mused. "How poetic."
"The old steel mill on Route 41. In one hour," Mercer demanded. "You bring Elena. I bring the ledger. You come alone, or the book goes to the FBI."
"I will see you soon, John," Volkov chuckled, ending the call.
May you like
Lily stared at Mercer. "You're going to a hostage exchange in your condition? You'll pass out before you even draw a weapon."
"That's why you're coming with me," Mercer said, accelerating onto the slick highway. "To make sure I stay awake long enough to pull the trigger."
