Chapter 10 - The Blueprint of the River
The coordinates pointed directly to Gate 4 of the San Antonio River Walk bypass channel.
The bypass channel was an underground flood control network built beneath the city’s tourist boardwalk.
Above it, tens of thousands of people would be celebrating the final night of the Harvest Moon Festival.
Bands would be playing on floating barges.
Tourists would be drinking cocktails along the riverbanks.
And beneath their feet lay the single document that could dismantle Anton Kesler’s entire criminal syndicate or bring Damon Vascari’s empire to its knees.
Damon stood over Walter’s hand-drawn schematic spread across the cabin table.
His tactical lieutenants, Marcus and Victor, were leaning over the edges, mapping out breach points.
“Kesler has already moved his private security force into the river district,” Marcus reported.
“He’s using his position as the festival’s chief corporate sponsor to lock down the boardwalk after ten o’clock.”
“He knows we survived the tannery.”
“He knows time is running out.”
Damon traced the water flow lines with his calloused index finger.
“If we bring a full tactical assault team into the River Walk during the festival, innocent people will die,” Damon said firmly.
“Kesler would love nothing more than a public bloodbath that forces the National Guard to seal the city.”
“We don't go in with guns blazing.”
“We go in through the water.”
Kora stepped up beside Damon, pointing to an intake valve marked in her father’s neat handwriting.
“The water level in Gate 4 drops by three feet during the nine o’clock river parade to allow the decorated barges to pass under the Commerce Street Bridge,” Kora said.
“There is a ninety-minute maintenance window where the flood vault is completely dry.”
“My father installed the mechanical lock inside the maintenance control room behind the decorative waterfall.”
Damon looked at Kora.
Her dark hair was pulled back tightly, her jaw was set, and the weariness in her eyes had been replaced by cold, unyielding resolve.
“You shouldn't be going back into the city, Kora,” Damon said gently, lowering his voice so the men couldn't hear.
“You and Eli can take my private jet to Chicago right now.”
“You’ve given me the key.”
“Your debt is gone.”
“You don't owe this city anything.”
Kora turned to face him squarely.
She reached out and rested her hand against his chest, right over his steady, beating heart.
“Six weeks ago, I made a joke about being your queen,” Kora whispered, her voice fierce and clear.
“I thought it was just silly market banter.”
“Then Kesler tried to murder my brother.”
“He hunted me like an animal.”
“And he tried to steal the life’s work of the only man who ever loved me before you showed up.”
Damon’s breath caught in his throat.
He stared into her eyes, his pulse quickening beneath her palm.
“Before I showed up?” Damon murmured.
“You came back into a burning warehouse for me, Damon Vascari,” Kora said, refusing to drop her gaze.
“You didn't ask for the key.”
“You didn't ask for the ledger.”
“You checked my pulse before you even looked at the traitor.”
“I’m not running to Chicago while someone tries to destroy what you built.”
“And I’m the only one who knows how to turn the escapement lock without triggering the acid failsafe Walter built into the door.”
Damon stared at her for five long seconds.
Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he reached up and covered her hand with his own.
He brought her scarred, jeweler’s knuckles to his lips and kissed them gently.
“Then we finish this together,” Damon said.
Eli stood up from the sofa, adjusting the collar of his jacket.
“I’m coming too,” Eli declared.
Kora turned on him immediately.
“Eli, absolutely not—”
“I built the remote telemetry sensors for the civil engineering department last semester,” Eli interrupted, stepping forward with his chin held high.
“I can jam the city’s automated sluice gates from the municipal control van on Market Street.”
“If Kesler figures out you're in the bypass channel, he could open the floodgates and drown both of you in five minutes.”
“You need someone on the surface who understands the hydraulic switches.”
“And I’m not letting my sister face this alone anymore.”
Kora looked at her younger brother.
The boy who used to weep over broken watch gears was gone.
Standing before her was a man with Walter Whitlock’s stubborn jaw and unwavering courage.
Damon looked at Eli and gave a single, respectful nod.
“Marcus will supply you with a encrypted terminal and two armed guards in the support van,” Damon said.
“You keep the water out of our lungs, Eli.”
“Understood,” Eli said.
Damon turned back to the table, his eyes blazing with the cold fury of an emperor preparing for war.
“Move out,” Damon ordered.
May you like
“Tonight, Anton Kesler learns that San Antonio doesn't belong to the loudest voice in the room.”
“It belongs to the people who hold the keys.”
