Page 61 of Heart of Stone

"They're professionals," I mutter. "Summit's stepping up their game."

"Makes you wonder what Axel might have found in there," Lee replies.

The sound of boots on gravel has us pressing deeper into the shadows. A guard passes within feet of our position, radio crackling with updates from his team.

"Third floor clear," a voice reports. "Moving to records."

Fuck. They are closing in on Axel's position.

A metallic crash echoes from the far side of the building, followed by the wail of car alarms.

The prospects, right on schedule.

"All units, check the disturbance," the radio squawks. "Could be kids again."

"Negative," another voice cuts in. "Hold positions. Wilson, check it out."

Shit. These guys are good.

"Plan B," I growl to Lee. "Tank in position?"

Lee taps his earpiece. "He's ready when you say."

"You got a spare one of them?"

Lee hands it over. I study the building once more as I slip it into my ear. We need something bigger. Something that would force them to investigate.

The construction site catches my eye. Specifically, the electrical junction box controlling the temporary lighting.

"New plan," I say. "Get Tank to the breaker box. When I give the signal, cut power to the whole block."

Lee's grin is feral in the darkness. "Create some chaos?"

"Exactly." I check my watch. "Axel's got eight minutes before the next sweep. We do this fast, clean, and quiet."

"And if they catch us?"

I think of the guns on their hips, the way they move like soldiers instead of security. "Don't get caught."

The night presses in around us as we move into position. Tank's shadow slips between the construction equipment while Lee makes his way to the emergency exit. The prospects have gone silent, waiting for the signal.

One shot at this. One chance to get it right.

I wait, watching for the perfect moment.

There.

One of the guards has bent to tie his shoelace.

I give the signal and the night explodes into chaos.

The block plunges into darkness as Tank hits the power. At the same instant, a series of car alarms begin screaming from the far lot, while the prospects throw what sounds like half a hardware store worth of metal pipes across the concrete.

"What the fuck?" a guard shouts. Flashlight beams cut through the darkness, dancing across the construction site.

"Control, we've lost power to the whole sector," another radios in. "Possible breach."

"All units respond," the reply crackles back. "Secure the perimeter."