Page 95 of Wild Oblivion

“This is fucking bullshit!” someone shouted.

The mob began chanting, "We won't go! We won't go!"

Deep and ominous, the chant rumbled with authority.

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As it stood, it would have taken 20 or 30 minutes just to get out of the parking lot in a car. It had turned into mass chaos. Some people decided to leave, but pedestrians blocked the lanes. A sea of red taillights. The atmosphere turned apocalyptic. The unruly crowd wasn't takingnofor an answer, and a few key instigators riled everyone up.

JD and I pushed through the crowd, making our way across the lot. We exited the grounds and made it to Stadium Row.

I still couldn't get a cell signal.

We ran a few blocks until I got a bar, then I called for a rideshare. Five minutes later, we hopped into a silver sedan, and the driver sped us over to DRI on Rock Island.

That was the true target.

I was sure of it.

The bomber’s words echoed in my mind. "Imagine what I could do with true Oblivium.”

I called Emily, but she didn’t pick up. I left a voicemail warning her.

Our driver pulled up to the front gate of the compound. A candy cane lever arm blocked the entrance to the security booth.

The property was surrounded by a chain-link fence, topped with razor wire. On a Sunday, the place was pretty desolate. The perfect time to stage an assault.

Security cameras at the guard booth monitored everyone coming and going.

We hopped out of the rideshare and walked up to the booth. I flashed my badge, and the guard stepped out and looked at us with curiosity. "What can I do for you, gentlemen?”

"Have you noticed anything unusual today?”

His lips tightened, and he shook his head.

"We believe there may be a robbery in progress," I said.

He looked at me with doubtful eyes. "I've been here all morning. The only people who've been in or out are Dr. Foster and the cleaning crew. They typically come on Sundays, as well as Monday and Thursday nights.”

"Did the cleaners have proper credentials?”

He nodded. "I wouldn’t be doing my job if they didn't."

"Did you recognize them?"

He shrugged. "I don’t know. Didn’t pay much attention. Crews rotate all the time. It's hard to keep good staff these days.”

"We need to get inside the building.”

He frowned and shook his head. "I'm sorry. No can do. No unauthorized personnel. Unless of course you got a warrant.”

My eyes narrowed at him. "You heard what I said. We believe there's a potential robbery happening right now."

He shrugged. "Policy is policy. I could lose my job.”

“You’re gonna lose it anyway if there’s a heist in progress.”

He didn’t like the sound of that.