Criminal Truths

Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Safe House

The tension in the air was palpable as Samantha and Daniel made their way to the safe house. Every step they took felt heavy with the weight of their mission. They had no time to waste, and the clock was ticking louder with every passing minute. The Redoubt, Victor Devereux, and the key to stopping Blackwood—they were all within reach, but the danger was greater than ever.

The safe house was located in an old, industrial area on the outskirts of the city, nestled between abandoned warehouses and rundown buildings. It wasn’t much to look at—a dilapidated building with peeling paint and broken windows, a place that seemed to have been forgotten by the world. But Samantha and Daniel both knew better. Places like this were made for secrecy.

They approached the building cautiously, staying in the shadows to avoid detection. The last thing they needed was to alert Blackwood’s people that they were getting closer to Victor. Every step felt like it could be their last, but they pressed on, determined to find answers.

When they reached the entrance, Samantha glanced around one more time, making sure they weren’t being watched. Satisfied, she pushed open the creaky door, and the two of them stepped inside. The dim light from a single bulb overhead cast eerie shadows on the walls. The air inside was stale, the scent of mildew and dust clinging to everything.

“This is it,” Samantha said, her voice low. “Victor Devereux was here.”

Daniel nodded, his eyes scanning the space. “We need to be quick. Blackwood’s people could be anywhere.”

They moved carefully through the small, cluttered building, checking every room, every corner. It felt like an eternity before they found it—the room at the back of the house, hidden behind a false wall. Inside, they found a desk, a laptop, and a stack of files.

Samantha’s heart skipped a beat. This was it. The information they needed.

She moved quickly, rifling through the papers. Most of them were technical documents, research notes, and cryptic files that meant little to her at first glance. But as she flipped through them, one document caught her eye. It was a map—detailing the location of The Redoubt.

Samantha’s pulse quickened as she studied the map. The location was circled in red, hidden in the mountains far outside the city. She had expected it to be remote, but this was even more isolated than she’d imagined. If Blackwood had been keeping the project a secret, this was the perfect place to hide it.

“Got it,” Samantha whispered, showing the map to Daniel. “The Redoubt. We know where it is.”

But before Daniel could respond, a sound came from behind them—a faint creak of floorboards.

Samantha’s heart stopped. They weren’t alone.

Without thinking, she grabbed Daniel’s arm, pulling him toward the nearest exit. The door opened with a loud screech as they both ran toward the back of the building. But they weren’t fast enough.

The door slammed shut in front of them, and a figure stepped into the doorway. A man dressed in black, his face obscured by a hood, stood blocking their way.

“I was wondering when you’d show up,” the man said, his voice cold and calm. “Did you really think you could get away with this?”

Samantha and Daniel both froze. The man’s voice sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it. His presence was unsettling, almost like he had been waiting for them.

“You’re too late,” the man continued, stepping forward. “Blackwood’s already one step ahead. I’ve been watching you both for a long time. And now, it’s over.”

Samantha’s mind raced. The man was clearly a threat, and they were cornered. But there had to be a way out.

“Who are you?” Daniel demanded, his hand hovering near his gun.

The man didn’t flinch. “Someone you don’t want to mess with. You should have stayed out of this, but now you’ve crossed the wrong line. I’m the one who’s going to stop you.”

Samantha’s heart pounded in her chest. This wasn’t just a random henchman. This man knew too much, and his confidence was unnerving. It was clear that he was no ordinary adversary.

But she wasn’t about to give up, not now. She glanced at Daniel, who nodded imperceptibly, his hand tightening on his gun. They needed a plan, and they needed it fast.

“Tell Blackwood this isn’t over,” Samantha said, her voice steely. “We’re going to stop him. No matter what.”

The man smirked, his expression almost amused. “That’s where you’re wrong. Blackwood’s already won.”

Before Samantha could react, the man lunged forward, but Daniel was quicker. He fired a shot, narrowly missing the man’s chest but grazing his shoulder. The man stumbled back, cursing under his breath, and in that split second of hesitation, Samantha and Daniel made their move.

They sprinted for the back door, pushing past the man as he regained his footing and cursed again. Samantha’s heart raced as they made their way down a narrow alley behind the building, barely avoiding the trap that had been set for them.

But the man’s words echoed in her mind. Blackwood’s already won.

Was that true? Had they truly been outmaneuvered, even before they’d had the chance to get to The Redoubt?

They couldn’t afford to doubt themselves. Not now. They had the map, and that was all that mattered.

“Keep moving,” Daniel urged, his voice low and urgent.

They kept running, moving swiftly through the shadows, away from the safe house. As they rounded a corner and ducked into an alleyway, Samantha could feel the weight of their mission bearing down on her.

They had to get to The Redoubt before Blackwood did. And no matter how many people Blackwood sent after them, they would stop at nothing to make sure the truth came to light.

-end of chapter 20