Stepping back from the panel, Alan continued around the side of the building and approached an outhouse, the back wall of it separating the panels, and affording Alan a mucky window. Carefully, he cleared the muck with his forearm and peered in, dipping down quickly to ensure he wasn’t seen. After a few moments, he poked his head up once more to peer in through the clearing he’d made.

Alex was slumped against the wall, her hands bound behind her back, and tears slithered down her cheeks to the duct tape that held her mouth shut.

Instantly, Alan’s quest for revenge felt insignificant. Despite the pure, visceral contempt which he held for Sykes, they both survived within the dangerous worlds they’d willingly entered.

Seeing Alex terrified and held hostage, reminded Alan that she was just an innocent young woman. One who, from Sam’s explanation, was just trying to get back to her family.

Alan had to get inside to get her out. Instinctively, he tried to push the window open, drawing a shocked glance from Alex. Alan reached into his pocket and held his badge up to the window to reassure her, but she shook her head, a clear warning. She leant her head slightly to the door and Alan understood.

It was guarded.

Breaking the glass wasn’t an option, and the only advantage he currently held was the element of surprise.

He took a few steps back and looked back to the heated horizon line.

The figure was closer to the bar now, dropping low to avoid detection, and Alan felt a small surge of hope.

Sam was there, approaching the bar to cut off the deal before Vasquez and Sykes were able to call for back-up. That meant Alan needed to know exactly what awaited them on the other side of the panels.

Along the side of the mill itself, he saw an old door that had clearly been jimmied open at its base. Most likely a junkie looking for a place to lose himself one last time, before the addiction claimed him. Using his considerable strength, Alan lodged himself in the gap, his back pressed against the door frame, and with every fibre of his being, he pressed his feet against the doorframe and shunted his entire weight against the door.

The lock shattered, and the door flew open, sending Alan sprawling onto the earth.

He stood, dusted himself down, retrieved his gun, and waited, finger on the trigger for any of Vasquez’s men to investigate the sound.

Nothing.

Happy that the coast was clear, Alan headed into the dilapidated building, hoping it wouldn’t collapse before he’d found his way to Alex.

* * *

‘I never thought this day would come.’

Vasquez chuckled, lifting his glass of Scotch as he sat across the table from Sykes, who lifted his beer in response.