Chapter 10: The Dock Warehouse

Dracona turned the key. The engine caught and settled into its usual idle before she eased the sedan through the gap in the fence line. Harry kept the burner phone balanced on his knee. The reply from Marcus appeared after the second tone.

He read the message twice. “He got the standby confirmation. Timestamp matches what we sent.”

Dracona kept both hands on the wheel. The industrial buildings thinned out on either side until the road opened toward the old rail approaches. Harry tapped the next sequence into the phone without waiting for discussion. The reply came back in under a minute with a new set of numbers.

“Coordinates for the dock warehouse instead of the rail yard,” Harry said.

She glanced at the screen. “Neutral ground.”

Harry confirmed the location against the folded paper map that still sat in the glovebox. The warehouse sat on the south side of the freight docks, two blocks from the water line where the cranes still operated on the morning shift. Dracona adjusted the route at the next intersection. The tail car from earlier had disappeared somewhere after the last freight junction.

They drove without speaking for the next twelve blocks.

When the warehouse came into view, Dracona slowed but did not stop. Marcus stood beside a black four-door parked at the loading bay. Two men remained with the vehicle. Marcus raised one hand and signaled the all-clear. Dracona pulled in behind the second building and cut the engine.

Marcus walked over while the engine ticked down. Dracona rolled the window halfway. Marcus spoke first.

“Both sides signed the termination order last night. Lucius countersigned with your uncle. Clean sweep includes both heirs if either of you surfaces.”

Harry opened the door and stepped out. Dracona followed. Marcus handed over a printed copy of the order. The document showed the two signatures at the bottom and the date stamp from the holding company server.

Dracona scanned the lines. The wording left no room for exceptions. She folded the paper and passed it back. Marcus waited without pressing for any response.

She said, “We take both fathers at the next arms shipment handoff. Force the confession on record and break whatever agreement they made.”

Marcus considered it. “The handoff is scheduled for the night after tomorrow at the east pier staging area. Layout shows three access points and one main loading dock still in use.”

Harry asked about the security detail on the route. Marcus gave the current numbers. Two teams on rotation, both carrying the standard sidearms plus one rifle per team.

“Supply the warehouse layout and the shift schedule,” Dracona said.

Marcus nodded once. “I’ll send the digital copy through the same channel. No direct links after this meeting.”

He returned to his vehicle. The four-door backed out and left the lot within thirty seconds. Dracona and Harry stood beside the sedan. The morning air still carried the salt from the water line.

Harry placed one hand on the roof near the driver’s door. Dracona turned toward him. Neither of them moved for several seconds. He lifted his other hand and touched her jaw. She leaned forward until their mouths met. The contact stayed brief and uneven at first, then settled into something steadier. She placed one palm flat against his chest. Harry pulled her closer with the arm already resting on the roof until the car door pressed against her hip.

They separated when a crane motor started up two buildings away. Dracona opened the driver’s door. Harry circled to the passenger side without speaking.