Chapter 11 - The Man in the Suite
“Chloe, move away from him.”
Mercer laughed softly.
“Still giving orders.”
My sister breathed too fast.
“Harper?”
“Listen to me. Walk toward the hallway.”
Mercer said:
“She stays.”
I signaled security.
They were already moving.
McAllister took the phone.
“Captain Mercer.”
Silence.
Then:
“Admiral.”
His voice.
Now without radio distortion.
Jonah’s face changed.
He mouthed:
Atlas.
McAllister remained calm.
“Do not touch Chloe Sterling.”
“I haven’t.”
“What are you doing in Captain Sterling’s suite?”
“Retrieving property.”
“What property?”
Mercer laughed.
“You know.”
I didn’t.
Richard did.
His face went pale.
“The retirement case.”
“What?”
He turned toward me.
“My ceremonial flag case.”
Why would Mercer want it?
Richard’s retirement gifts had been moved to hotel suite after gala lockdown.
One case came from Vale.
Wood.
Engraved.
Inside:
A folded flag and challenge coin collection.
Richard whispered:
“Vale insisted I take it personally.”
Security surrounded the suite corridor.
Mercer had Chloe inside.
Not technically hostage yet.
Then Chloe cried:
“He locked the door.”
Now hostage.
McAllister said:
“Owen, you are not leaving that room with her.”
Mercer’s voice hardened.
“I don’t need her.”
Then a crash.
Chloe screamed.
Line stayed open.
I moved.
McAllister grabbed my shoulder.
“Harper.”
“She’s my sister.”
“Security is there.”
“I know the suite.”
Richard had stayed at that hotel every Navy gala for years.
I knew adjoining service balcony.
Old building.
McAllister read my face.
“No heroics.”
“I’m not a hero.”
Jonah almost laughed.
Security team leader came through radio.
They could access adjacent room.
Mercer demanded vehicle.
He claimed he had evidence proving Vale’s innocence.
Nobody believed.
Then Chloe whispered:
“He has a drive.”
Mercer snapped:
“Shut up.”
A slap.
My vision went red.
I breathed.
Steel calm.
Dangerous only when panic stopped helping.
We moved to adjacent suite under security command.
I did not charge in.
I gave layout.
Balcony doors.
Bathroom position.
Closet.
Security negotiated.
Mercer kept talking.
That was useful.
He blamed Vale.
Said Cross betrayed him.
Said Richard was the reason Black Harbor failed.
Different stories.
Then he said something:
“Your father signed the first clearance, Harper. Ask him.”
Richard flinched.
Another secret.
Later.
Not now.
Security opened balcony breach.
Mercer heard.
He dragged Chloe toward interior door.
She fought.
Good.
He lost grip.
Security entered.
I saw him through opening.
Gray hair.
Dress uniform partially unbuttoned.
Metal pen in one hand.
Drive in the other.
No gun.
Thank God.
He shoved Chloe.
I caught her.
Security pinned Mercer against wall.
Fast.
Ugly.
Done.
Chloe clung to me.
“I’m sorry.”
“Later.”
She was shaking.
I wrapped jacket around her.
Then Mercer, face against carpet, looked directly at me.
“You should have died in Somalia.”
The room stopped.
McAllister stepped in.
Nobody needed voice analysis now.
Mercer smiled.
“Vale only wanted the ledger.”
May you like
Then:
“I wanted the team gone.”
