Chapter 9: The Roof Access
Lungs burning, Sarah carried Leo up the final flight of concrete stairs, Julian closely guarding their backs. They reached the top landing. Julian shoved his shoulder into the heavy metal access door, bursting the rusted latch open.
They spilled out onto the flat, gravel-covered roof. The cool night air was a shock to the system, and the distant wail of police sirens echoed from the city streets far below.
"Get behind the HVAC units," Julian ordered, scanning the shadowy expanse of the roof.
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Before Sarah could take a step, a figure lunged from the deep shadows near the door. The attacker tackled Julian, knocking the phone from his hand and sending the flashlight clattering across the gravel.
Sarah gasped as the ambient city light revealed the attacker’s face. It was Eleanor. Taking advantage of the precinct-wide blackout that had temporarily disabled the electronic locks on the police cruisers, she had slipped the perimeter and bypassed the overwhelmed officers. Her formal dress was torn, her eyes wild, and her focus instantly locked onto Leo.
