The bullet that tore through his left bicep was painful and needed immediate attention, but he wasn’t going to let his captives escape that easily. He hustled around the corner to get out of harm’s way and slumped against the wall. Glancing down at his bloodied arm, he gritted his teeth and winced as his arm felt like it was on fire. After ripping off part of his shirttail, he tied the piece around the wound to ensure constant pressure was being applied.
He radioed the head of security to give him an update and to make sure that the gate was still closed.
“Don’t let anyone leave the grounds,” Becker said.
“I only have two men with me,” the security chief said. “Where are the four I sent you?”
Becker looked at one of the men still writhing on the ground, groaning as he couldn’t stop the bleeding from a gunshot wound.
“They’re gone,” Becker said.
“All of them?”
“Yeah.” Becker knew he could save the man in front of him, but the result would be the prisoners escaping. And Becker wasn’t about to let that happen.
“Help me,” moaned the other guard.
Becker closed his eyes and looked away.
To hell with my oath.
Becker slowly rose to his feet before hustling back to the security office to see about getting a better idea of his guests were.
Then he stopped and froze, checking his pants pockets for the cell phone. It was gone.
I must’ve dropped it in the cell.
He didn’t have any time to lament the loss of the phone. Once he caught the couple posing as the Muncies, he would have the cell back in his possession soon enough. He’d also have the opportunity to find out just who these people were and what they were doing crashing his fundraiser.
At the security office, he talked strategy with the chief before scanning all the monitors.
“Where was the last place you saw them?” Becker asked.
“They were in the wine cellar, sir.”
“And most of the guests are still here?”
“They noticed a slight commotion when several of the guards left, but no one seems to be too concerned.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way.”
Becker started checking the screens. They weren’t anywhere to be found.
Where did you go?
“Lock down the gate,” Becker said to his security chief. “Inspect every vehicle thoroughly before it leaves the grounds. Let the guards know we're looking for two men and a woman. And share still images with the remaining guards so they know who they're looking for.”
* * *
HAWK HOISTED HIMSELF onto the veranda using the stone fencing surrounding the area. A man stood outside alone, leaning on the railing as he smoked a cigar. When he noticed Hawk, he dropped his glass tumbler, shattering it on the ground.
Hawk put his index finger to his lips and gestured for the man to move into the shadows.
“Do you have a car?” Hawk asked.
“What on Earth is this all about?” the man asked with widening eyes.
Hawk brandished his weapon. “Do you have a car?”
“I drove here with my wife,” he said. “Why do you ask?”
“Because you’re going to help me and my friends get out of here. Go ask the valet for your car.”
“Why would I do that?”
“We need to leave, and you’re going to drive us out of here.”
“What if I refuse?” the man asked.
“I have a partner inside right now. We know what your wife looks like. All I have to do is say the word and your wife won’t go home with you tonight.”
“You’re bluffing,” the man said with a sneer.
Hawk glanced at his gun. “You sure you want to take that chance?”
The man sighed. “Let me get my wife.”
“I’ll meet you out front,” Hawk said. “Five minutes. Don’t be late.”
Hawk climbed back over the railing and shimmied down to the ground where Alex and Black were waiting.
“Once the old man I found requests his car, go ask for yours,” Hawk said. “That will clear out the other valet and make it easy for us to get into the car.”
“Don’t you think they’ll be expecting us out front?” Alex asked.
“Maybe, but there aren't many guards left, and they're going to scouring the grounds for us,” Hawk said. “With a guard at the gate, I'm banking on them expecting us to go over the wall somehow.”
“I hope you’re right,” Alex said.
“This is definitely our best move,” Black said.
Hawk and Black connected with a quick fist bump before they crept along in the shadows. Once they reached the front, the old man was there with his wife. He handed his ticket to one of the attendants and waited on the steps. Meanwhile, Hawk followed the valet into the underground garage and then ambushed him, easing up behind him and putting him in a headlock. In a matter of seconds, he went to sleep. Hawk pressed the key fob, activating the car's horn to locate the old man's vehicle. He pulled around to the front, surprising the man again when he stepped from behind the steering wheel and opened the door for him.
Once the man and his wife got in, Alex slid into the backseat, while Hawk and Black piled into the trunk. Hawk poked the armrest forward just far enough that he could hear everything taking place in the front.
“Just stay calm,” Hawk said. “We'll be out of your lives in just a few minutes.”
“I will,” the old man said. “Don’t worry.”
They rolled to a stop just outside the gate and were greeted by a guard. He wore a scowl along with a semi-automatic weapon slung around his neck as he lumbered toward them.
“Did you have a nice time at the party?” the guard asked.
“Fine time, sir,” the old man said.
“If you had such a fine time, why are you leaving so soon?” the guard asked. “You’re the first guests to leave.”
“I have an early flight tomorrow morning.”
“Would you mind letting me check the
