Page 83 of No Going Back

Chapter 13

The team watched the feed from the rescue team members’ head-cams. It had taken some time to get the doors to the basement level open as they had buckled in the explosion. Not wanting to use power tools for fear of the vibration causing movement, the rescue team relied on manual tools. It took more time but was much safer. Finally, they had managed to pry them open enough to squeeze through. The video feed showed the other side of the wall of rubble which, unfortunately, looked even more unstable than Sam’s side.

The rescue guys began working with Sam, testing the various parts of the wall and gingerly moving some of the smaller, loose pieces to determine if the concrete behind would withstand them climbing over it. Dismantling the wall would take painstaking hours. Hours that Mira did not have.

Max remained on the radio with his men getting constant updates and evaluating the options. All of them wanted the same thing, get Mira out of there as soon as possible.

After about twenty minutes, Max silenced his radio and faced Onyx.

“The base of the wall is solid enough to withstand some weight, but the top is too unsteady. No way I’m risking hoisting her through that gap, the whole thing could come down.” Tyler cursed under his breath. Dex shot him a warning look.

“So, what’s the plan?’ Tyler asked.

“We remove the top rubble. As soon as we’re confident we’ve made it stable enough, we’ll get her out. We’re going to have to send a man over to help strap her to the backboard and lift her.”

“I’ll go over,” Tyler said.

“No, you won't.” Max shook his head. “One of my guys will go. They know where to place their feet, what to listen for, what to feel.”

Tyler sensed Dex’s gaze on him. It wasn’t necessary. He knew Max was right. “Yeah, of course. Is there anything we can do?” He hated feeling so damn helpless, but he’d already pushed his luck with his team leader, and he needed to toe the line. He wasn’t going to interfere with the rescue operation.

“Not right now. I’ll keep you posted.” Max walked away.

Tyler stepped away. He sat on the curb, placing his head in his hands. Every minute felt like an hour. This was way worse than any of the dangerous, fucked up situations he and the team had been in. At least, on a mission he had a job to do. A purpose. All this waiting around was killing him. He glanced up briefly when Mackie sat beside him.

“How are you holding up, buddy?”

“I’m fine,” he lied.

“Mira’s hung in this long. She’s strong, Ty,” Mackie said quietly.

“I’ve got so much I want to say to her.”

Tyler raised his head, staring at the scene in front of him. The rest of Raven were standing together close to the laptop in case Sam called back. Ambulances and fire engines remained on site, waiting for the final people to be cleared out. Police had set up a perimeter, keeping the media and rubberneckers well away. All non-essential personnel had been moved out, to reduce the chance of any further collapse. Max was doing them a favor letting them stay on scene. It was surprisingly quiet now, almost eerie as they waited. And waiting was the hardest part.

“I didn’t realize you two were this serious,” Mackie said.

Tyler turned his head, facing his friend. “I’m not sure what it is,” he said honestly. “I fucking screwed things up, big time. Too busy wallowing in my own shit to see what was right in front of me.”

“Couldn’t have screwed it up too much. She’s still talking to you.”

Tyler turned his gaze toward the opening to the elevator shaft. Max stood there, talking on a radio to his men.

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