Page 65 of Final Exit

Bailey rushed over beside Terrance and drew her gun, flanking him as they waited for the expected breach. Devlin crouched down, aiming his weapon at the door as well. Mason had followed Kade to the computer and looked far too calm for the situation.

“They’re right outside the door,” Terrance whispered.

A buzzing noise sounded, like an electronic lock being released. Bailey tensed, her finger on the trigger. But the door didn’t open. The buzzing noise sounded again. The door rattled, as if someone was shoving it, but stayed closed.

“I’ve disabled the badge system and the security panels,” Kade announced. “But it won’t keep them out for long.” He typed something else, then punched Enter. He looked toward the door, and shook his head. “Terrance, you don’t have to keep ducking under the window. It’s one-way bulletproof glass. We can see them. They can’t see us. This place is soundproofed, too. So they don’t actually know you’re all in here. As far as they are aware, based on the badge swipes and security codes I used, I’m the only one in here. Which means, you all have to disappear.”

Bailey moved past Devlin and the others and stopped in front of Kade. “I don’t think I like how this is starting to sound.”

“Sounds like you’re talking about a safe-room,” Mason asked, joining them.

“Behind the screen. If they even think anyone else might be in here with me, they’ll tear this place apart—including the safe-room. This is only going to work if you’re out of here when they bust down that door.”

A pounding noise sounded behind them, emphasizing his words. They were already trying to break in.

Kade swore. “Go. I already unlocked the door from the terminal. Once you’re inside and the door is closed, it blends in with the paneling.”

“You’re not staying here to face them by yourself,” Bailey said, glaring up at him. “I’m not about to let you do that.”

“I assume once someone is inside, the controls automatically switch to whoever is in the room? No overrides?” Mason asked.

“Exactly. Wait half an hour or longer before coming out. That should give me enough time.”

“Enough time for what?” Bailey demanded. But Kade didn’t even look at her.

The pounding sounded again behind them, then again. The lights blinked off and on.

“Hurry,” Kade said.

Mason motioned toward the others. But Devlin was already pushing Austin’s wheelchair down the aisle at a run. Terrance and the others jogged after him, leaving only Kade, Mason, and Bailey by the computer screen.

Kade finally looked at her. “You need to go.”

“Not a chance. I’m not leaving you.” She yanked out her Sig Sauer. “Those cowardly Equalizers can run and hide but I’m staying here. With you.”

Kade smiled. “I doubt your new friends would appreciate being called cowards.” He glanced at Mason over the top of her head. “And I have a feeling they’d stay and fight if I asked them to. But I’m not asking. Most of the agents on the other side of that door are being manipulated and used. They’re good men and they don’t deserve to die just because they have the bad luck of working for a corrupt boss. I can end this without a single drop of blood being spilled and that’s exactly what I intend to do. Don’t worry about me, Bailey. I’ll be okay.”

“No. You won’t. Those ‘good men’ out there have guns and will shoot just as readily as anyone else. You’re being foolish with your life.”

The door shuddered.

“Kade,” Mason said, from behind Bailey. “We need to hurry this up.”

“Just go,” Bailey told him over her shoulder. “I’m staying with Kade.”

“No,” Kade said. “Trust me. Faegan has put too much effort into painting me as his scapegoat. He’s obviously planning on using me as the fall guy if this mission goes south or other people find out what’s going on. And from what I’ve seen, it’s heading in that direction. He can’t afford to kill me. He needs me alive until everything implodes and I’m blamed. For now, I’m completely safe.”

“That’s the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard,” she told him.

He shook his head in exasperation. “Now, Mason.”

Bailey frowned, then, suddenly realizing what he meant, she started to whirl around. Mason grabbed her in an iron-hold and threw her on his shoulder.

“No,” she yelled. “Put me down, damn it.”

He sprinted down the aisle toward the screen.

“Kade,” she yelled, as she pummeled Mason’s back. “Don’t do this. Kade!”

---