Page 136 of The Deadly Shallows

On Celia’s command, the officers streamed into the factory, two escorting the EPA officials straight for the plastic drums on the dock.

Caleb and Austin moved through the building toward the offices, thankful for the thorough tour Gower had provided yesterday. The long wing was still bathed in darkness, only the emergency exit signs lit red, and a few auxiliary lights.

“One security guard in custody,” one of the officers reported over Caleb’s earpiece.

Which left two by last night’s count. He’d bet money Gower had them protecting him. Fool. With the parking lot exits blocked, he had nowhere to go but the ravine out in front of the docks or the thick woods on the eastern side of the factory—accessed best through the office wing.

Caleb expected Gower to go for the woods.

The sound of footsteps scuffling on the carpet came from the other side of a partition dividing a large open space where employees took breaks and ate meals. Caleb held his finger to his lips, and Austin nodded, covering his six while he moved forward. If he remembered correctly, a set of doors on the far side of the room led to the outside patio area, and just beyond that sat the woods.

Austin indicated she’d slip around the other end of the dividing wall. Caleb nodded, giving her time to get in position before he rounded the corner. His gun aimed at the first guard’s chest. The second guard stood behind him—both of their revolvers aimed at Caleb.

The first guard cocked his head, a slight smile crossing his lips. “Looks like you’re outnumbered.”

Austin crept up behind the second guard, pressing her gun to his temple. “I’d say we’re more than even now.”

The outer door opened and clanked shut. Gower.

They didn’t have time for this.

“Lay down your weapons,” Caleb said, his gaze pinned on the guard in front of him. “There are police swarming the building. You really want to take a murder rap for a loser like Gower?”

“We don’t want no trouble,” the guard said, laying down his weapon.

“Kick it over here,” Caleb said.

“Do the same,” Austin said to the second guard. He complied.

“We’ve got the two security guards, unarmed in the office wing. Gower ran—we’re taking chase,” Caleb called over the radio.

“On my way,” an officer said.

Caleb looked back at the guards. “Is Gower armed?”

The first guard nodded. “He grabbed a gun from his desk, though I doubt he has a clue how to use it.”

An officer rounded the corner.

“Thanks,” Caleb said as he and Austin rushed for the outer door.

Racing across the patio sitting area, they dropped down the four-foot retaining wall and crossed to the tree line.

Fog rose nearly a foot high, thickening the deeper they moved through the woods. Dampness clung in the air, their breath highlighted by first cracks of light.

Austin stilled, surveying the landscape. “Anchor Road is about a thousand yards due east.”

“Good thinking.”

The peach hue of streetlights glowed like globes in the distance as streaks of orange crested the horizon.

“Gower,” Caleb called, catching sight of the man’s retreating form. “There’s nowhere to go.”

Gower stumbled as he spun around, firing his gun.

Caleb pressed his back against the knotty trunk of the closest tree as Austin did the same.

“This is a dead end,” Austin called.