Page 179 of The ARC Unit: Breach

“I can fucking see that.”

The helicopter touched down on the freight apron for barely more than a breath. Its side door was already open. A man inside leaned out, one arm braced against the frame.

Kade climbed in.

Viper reached the edge of the lot with his rifle up but did not fire. Hawk had the aircraft in his angle somewhere beyond us, but shooting into a departing helicopter with an unknown crew and industrial buildings behind it was not a clean shot anyone wanted to take.

Wolf pressed his transmit key.

“Hawk, hold.”

A pause.

“Holding.”

The helicopter lifted. Dust and grit slammed into my face. I turned my head against Wolf’s shoulder and held onto the case with both hands while the aircraft climbed above the warehouse roof.

Kade was visible through the open door for another second. He looked down, then the door slid shut and the helicopter banked east. Raven was already shouting coordinates to German aviation control.

Wolf released the back of my vest only to take my upper arm and turn me toward him. The mask covered most of his face, but I had never needed to see his mouth to know when he was furious.

“What did I tell you?”

My ears were still ringing.

“I got the case.”

Wolf stared at me.

“What the fuck did I tell you, Mercer?!”

Keller was still on the floor inside. The handle dug into my palms as I looked back toward the warehouse.

“I know.”

“No. You clearly don’t. Get the fuck back inside.”

“Wolf.”

“Inside. Now.”

I went. Viper fell into step beside me, staying on the outside edge of the lot until we reached the door. He kept his attention on the doors and said nothing to me. I would have preferred the lecture.

Inside, the building had become a rescue operation again.

Bear was in the rear corridor kneeling beside Keller while paramedics worked around him. The female officer who had been with Ana stood against the wall with blood across one sleeve, staring at nothing. Ana sat several meters away wrapped in the emergency blanket, both hands pressed over her ears.

I slowed.

Bear looked up, and the paramedic stopped compressions before anyone had to tell me.

Keller was dead.

I stood there with the black case in both hands while another officer pulled a sheet over his body. Viper touched the back of my shoulder once as he passed, then moved to help secure the far door. I looked down at Keller’s blood drying in the creases of my knuckles and swallowed hard against the urge to vomit.

Bear stood and came toward me.

“You hurt?”