They were first on the scene, but not by much. Logan climbed out of the car and took a long look up at the warehouse. It went up six floors, but it looked bigger. Like a mountain looming in the dark. Yet somehow, it seemed to welcome him.
Red and blue lights lit up the walls and glass. Logan turned to see two more units arriving. If he was going to get inside without being dragged back by multiple cops, he had to go right now.
He didn’t hesitate. Although Peters called after him, Logan ran right in. The door was already unlocked, which made him stop and assess the situation. If Helen had been removed from a car’s trunk, chances were she’d been kidnapped. Logan was willing to bet it was Max. Who else would want to hurt her? Apart from him, of course.
Drawing the pistol from his shoulder holster – grateful he’d decided long ago never to leave home without it – Logan stepped inside to find a set of narrow, stone steps. They led up and down, but only one direction called to him.
Downstairs, the lights were on.
Footsteps rushed up behind him. Logan spun around and took aim. Peters halted, slowly stepping back into the light with an expression of terror blazing in his eyes. Logan lowered his gun, heard the sound of car doors slamming, then picked up the pace.
“I’m going down,” he whispered.
“Stick together.”
They went in side by side, taking the corner slowly as they descended into the warehouse’s basement. They watched each other’s backs, using tactics drilled into them by both the academy and years of experience. The steps led to a small, confined basement with an array of pipes, boxes, and tools.
But it was the corner of the room that Logan cared about.
He ran forward under the flashing lights. Helen was right in front of him, tied to a chair in front of a TV with flickering, black-and-white static. When she saw him, her face flushed red, and then she turned her head to one side as if not daring to look at him.
“Don’t make it personal,” Peters said.
Logan ignored him. He looked all around for a sign of Max, but there was none. Keeping the gun in hand, he knelt in front of her, wrapped his large hand around her chin, and turned her to look at him. At first, she closed her eyes. He was ready to shout before she opened them.
“Where is he?” Logan asked.
“He left when he heard the sirens.”
“Which way?”
“Main entrance, but it was ages ago. He’s long gone.”
Logan stood up straight and looked to Peters, who was falling in at his side. Again, their words went unspoken, as if they could read each other’s minds. He was asking not to make the request, but Logan couldn’t help himself. This was all that stood between him and even the slightest sense of resolution.
“I want five minutes alone with her,” he said.
“You can’t do that. I’ll get in trouble.”
“Sorry, Peters, but I need this.”
Peters studied him with brooding, begrudging eyes. He glanced down at Helen, then turned his head at the sound of footsteps in the stairwell. Sighing, he nodded and took a step back toward the stairs.
“One minute, and I can’t protect you if you hurt her.”
Logan nodded gratefully, waiting until he was completely alone with her before he dared open his mouth. While he waited, he holstered his gun and kept his hands away from it. If he hadn’t done that, he knew he might do something stupid.
After all, the temptation was intense.