PART 2: INTRUDERS
Reception area of building containing laboratory, other side of town…
"Sir, it's a Mr. Smith, he says he has an appointment," said the eight-year-old, Keiren, who was trusted enough to not have to sit working at a table all day.
"Okay, go and let him in, but don't dare try anything," said Mr. Hutchings the supervisor, pointing his gun at the boy threateningly.
Keiren walked along the long corridor to the front door. He opened the door and Ezra was amazed to find himself facing a young boy who couldn't even be ten yet.
"Hello, I'm Mr. Smith, Mr. Nixon's replacement,"
"The boss has been expectin' you for the last half hour, where ya been?" asked the boy.
"I was delayed, but I'm here now," said Ezra, as the boy led him to the office where he would be doing the paperwork for the operation. He knew that his predecessor had been involved with Sarah and Adam Larabee's killers, and was surprised that the man was just involved with keeping the books in this operation - seemed like a demotion for the man, as he had actually planted the bomb in Chris's car that fateful day.
Ezra sat down and watched the dimly lit corridor - they were expecting there to be guards here, but there was no-one else here. Intelligence had clearly said that the place was heavily guarded between the front entrance and the Lab - Intelligence wasn't always so intelligent, Ezra realised. He adjusted his microphone concealed down his shirt and spoke towards it, "There are no guards anywhere in sight, Mr. Larabee, but the place is very dimly-lit so use extreme caution."
Exterior of building containing laboratory, other side of town…
Outside, Chris listened to Ezra's voice on his headphones. "Damn, Ezra, it's got to be a trap - the place should be better guarded, let us in and we'll sneak around and be ready for any surprises."
Ezra let them in, all the while looking out for any guards. Chris, Vin, and JD crept along the corridor, listening for any movements in the adjoining rooms. Everywhere was silent.
The men got to the lab, and got their guns ready, then went inside.
"Nobody move - ATF," said Chris loudly.
"I was wondering when you would show up," said Mr. Hicks, the gang leader, who had joined Mr. Hutchings to see how the latest batch was coming on.
"Why are there no guards by the front door?" asked JD, bravely.
"Because, we do not need any here. We have something much better than guards. We are in complete control of this building. This place is covered with cleverly concealed explosives. If I give the signal, this place will explode, killing everyone instantly."
"You're joking," said Chris, unbelieving.
"Do you want to take that risk and find out if I am or not, Mr Larabee?"
"We're here for the hostages - if you don't hand them over, I will have no choice but to shoot you and the rest of your gang," said Chris, ignoring what Hicks had just said.
"John, when I give the signal, you will press the detonator," said the man into the headset he had put on.
"My trigger finger is faster than you giving the signal. The moment you open your mouth to speak, I will shoot," said Vin.
"I am not scared of dying," said the man, who had an escape plan all worked out - there would be just enough time for him to get out through the hidden tunnel, before the explosives went off.
"Sir, there's a problem," came back John's voice through the headset, "someone's tampered with the set-up. Nothing will happen."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" said Mr. Hicks, quietly.
"I didn't know earlier, sir," said John, just before he felt the cold metal of a gun pressing against his head.
"Turn around slowly and don't try anything," threatened Ezra.
Chris and Vin guessed what was wrong and soon the three ATF agents had their guns pointed at Hicks and Hutchings, surrounding them. Chris radioed for backup and soon, Hicks and Hutchings were being led out of the building, both handcuffed to the policemen in front of them.
"Ezra, where are you?" asked Chris into his mic.
"I've found a hidden room which is the control room. I found a trail of wire running along the walls and it led me here - a quite primitive form of detonation. It appears that someone already thought to cut the wires."
"Do you think one of the kids did it?" asked Chris.
"Are the children able to roam freely?"
"Vin, check if the people are tied down at all," ordered Chris.
Vin walked to the nearest child, a disturbingly thin boy with short dark brown hair. He looked to see if the boys' legs were tied to anything. They were tied with metal chains to the legs of the table.
"Kid, could you get out of those constraints if you wanted to?" asked Vin.
"No, Sir - but I know someone who could," said Buck, pointing at Josiah, a blonde boy who looked some years older than the brown-haired boy.
Vin studied Josiah carefully, who shook with fear. "There's nothin' ta be scared of, we're goin' ta release you and everyone else."
"I was so scared, sir. They told us about the explosives and I thought we were all gonna die for sure - I had to disconnect them so we wouldn't get blown up," said Josiah, before falling off his stall, unconscious, to the ground.
Ezra came into the room just as Josiah fell, and just managed to catch the boy before he hit his head on the hard floor.
End of Part 2