Treading down the abandoned hallway, the walls muffled the ruckus of the raging pandemonium outside, but not so much that they couldn’t hear it. More than anything, Nole could hear shouted orders and battle cries. He longed to hear a familiar voice. He longed to hear any sign that his family and allies were alive. At that point, he would even settle for one of Zane’s derogatory remarks if it meant he hadn’t been killed.

Nole walked alongside Captain Hadley while Ryker brought up the rear. After seizing Nole’s weapon, Ryker had obtained two guns, holding one in each hand against the small of their backs. Blood dripped down her arms steadily. Although she was covering the wounds, it wasn’t enough to prevent the bleeding.

“Idiot,” she murmured under her breath. Even though it was rational to assume she was referring to Ryker, Nole knew she was talking about him. Despite what she, and the rest of the Enforcers thought, Nole wasn’t a murderer. She’d ordered him to take the shot, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it, and now they were captives, being used to bring down their own comrades.

Nole clenched his eyes shut at the thought of being used by Ryker. It clicked in his mind that that was the reason why Ryker hadn't killed him in the alleyway or in the station. The Sergeant had called him bait, but what, or who, he was luring, he had no idea.

“Looks like the party’s started,” Ryker commented. “It doesn’t seem like the whole Para gang is out there yet, but it won’t be long until they all show; until he shows.”

Though his back was to him, Nole could still sense the bloodlust in Ryker. The merciless tone by itself was something worth watching out for. He couldn’t be reasoned with, not with all he’d done. His gutsy actions and unshaken determination made him an admirable Enforcer, but with his changing sides, those traits now made him a deadly killer. “What do you say we crash the festivities?” Ryker pushed the gun into their backs, telling them to pick up the pace. When they reached the doorway, Ryker told them to stop and face him.

“You won’t be joining us out there, Captain,” he informed Hadley. “My story wouldn’t be as convincing with you around. Don’t worry, I won’t kill you yet, but I need to make sure you don’t do anything stupid.” He lowered the gun pointed at Hadley and tucked in his waistband. After freeing one of his hands, Ryker took a step toward her so that they were inches from each other.

While being nearly half a foot taller than her, he gazed down at her in a superior fashion. Unfazed by him, Hadley looked up to meet his gaze, glaring disgustedly. From her profile, Nole could see the beginnings of bruises on her neck from where Ryker had clutched her. Her bangs were no longer hanging loosely, but patted against her perspiring forehead. The usually impartial expression she wore was gone, and a telling, hate-filled one had taken its place.

“Maddox will see through you,” she said assertively.

“Nothing has made him question me thus far,” Ryker scoffed confidently. “The keys Captain,” he demanded to an unflinching Hadley. Nole grew nervous when neither of the two conceded, and things escalated quickly when Ryker flashed the razor blade from between his teeth in warning.

“They should be in her pocket,” Nole interjected, trying to diffuse the tension. Surprised by Nole’s assistance, Ryker instructed him to retrieve them and unlock the single cuff locked around his wrist. Following the orders, Nole kept his distance while searching Hadley’s front pants pocket as Ryker kept the gun pointed at him. He could almost feel the radiating disappointment from Hadley as she looked off to the side. Nole couldn’t blame her for feeling the way she did, so he avoided eye contact as well.

After recovering the keys, Nole obligingly unlocked Ryker’s handcuff.

“Very good,” Ryker said, satisfyingly massaging his formerly detained wrist. “That would’ve raised some unwanted questions from my fellow Enforcers.” In the same breath, he suddenly grabbed Hadley’s arm and pulled her close to him.

“Hey!” Nole shouted. To his relief, Ryker merely cuffed both of her slender wrists, interlocking the chain through a wall rail nearby. Nole noticed Hadley readjusting the grip on her wrists since the cuffs rubbed against her sliced flesh. He looked away, unable to watch how weak she’d become. Her skin had become noticeably pale due to all of the blood loss and fatigue and her usual sharp-tongued commentary was gone. She was completely defeated.

“Now, let’s go,” Ryker said, shoving the pistol toward Nole. “Let’s greet everyone.”

Nole pushed the entrance door wide open, exposing the chaotic scene before him. There were much more people than he’d imagined. Lining the stairs of the entrance was a measly group of Enforcers. Nole figured they were the remains of the guarding rookies he’d encountered earlier. Beyond the last line of defense were about fifty or sixty people duking it out while fourteen lay dead on the ground. Nole examined each of the bodies from his location; six of them were in Enforcer uniforms and eight were in plain clothes. Reassurance flooded his body when he didn’t see Caden or his friends among the fallen.

Out of his periphery, Nole realized that Chief Caswell was also standing by the main entrance, behind the line of rookie guards. He’s not in charge of this conspiracy, but he’s still in on it, Nole reminded himself.  

“Ryker,” Chief Caswell greeted casually, “looks like you’ve dealt with your end. Seems like the Paras scrounged together a last minute team to storm Central while they gather the rest of the gang for a full on assault. I’ve ordered the reinforcements to intercept them before they reach Central Station.” Shocked by the thoroughness of the information, Nole desperately searched the crowd for a familiar face.

Caden, where are you?

“The Quads and Pents will arrive before then,” Ryker shrugged. “Have you spotted him?”

“Not yet. He must be with the main group.”

“He’d better be.”

Nole had no idea who they were talking about, and he had bigger things to worry about.

“They managed to scrounge up a few Paras before the entire gang arrives for a full on assault. I sent the more problematic Enforcers to do a sweep of that complex to search for Vale,” Caswell reported. “Seems like they’ll be returning empty-handed.” Nole was enraged and disgusted by both Ryker and Caswell’s casual conversation while a meaningless battle took place before them.

“You’re a traitor to the entire city.” Nole’s temper had reached its limit. “When the mayor catches wind of this, being stripped of your rank will be the least of your worries.”

“You’re in no position to be threatening me; not while there’s a gun to your back,” Caswell sneered. “Who’s going to believe a criminal like you? Your own brother wants nothing to do with you.”

The taste of blood filled Nole’s mouth from biting his lip so hard. Although Ryker was his main enemy, he really wanted to put Caswell in his place.

“Don’t do anything rash,” Ryker warned, anticipating Nole’s fury. “Where are the others?” he asked Caswell. “I thought I heard the old woman over the intercom.”

So it wasn’t just my imagination. Nole sighed to himself.

He couldn’t see Ryker’s expression, but judging from Caswell’s fearful one, he assumed his captor didn’t look too friendly. Even though he enjoyed seeing the smugness in the traitorous Chief’s face disappear, he didn’t like being on the receiving end of Ryker’s frustration, especially when he was holding a gun.

“Unfortunately, old woman and the girl managed to escape,” Caswell unhappily informed him. “They had plants in the Unit it seems. The boy is still in our custody however.”

Caden.

As much as Nole detested Ryker’s superior tone, he hated it more when Ryker was completely silent. From what he’d gathered so far, Ryker was a boastful guy, so his silence could only mean one thing – he was plotting.

“They couldn’t have gotten far,” Ryker shrugged unconcerned. “I’ll put out word of their escape to the Pents and Quads. Watch Vale in the meantime.” Shoving Nole off on Caswell, Ryker also relinquished Hadley’s confiscated weapon to the Chief, who repositioned the barrel against his captive’s back.

Unable to make any sudden moves, Nole only managed to turn his head only slightly, but it was enough to catch Ryker return inside the station. I don’t have a lot of time, Nole thought. Betty and Olivia are out, but maybe not for long. I have to finish what I came here to do.

“It won’t be long now,” Caswell gloated, withdrawing his own gun. The amount of fighters on the battlefield dwindled until only a few men from each side remained.

“So you did set the Paras up for the vandalism just so you could give the force a reason to go after them,” Nole deduced.

“The Paras were always a big target. It was Ryker’s idea to frame them. I just happened to go along with it for personal gain.”

“Which would be?”

“I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out yet,” Caswell said proudly. “It provided a good distraction. I mean, do you really think there’s a reason behind my quarantining the sewers?”

The sewers? Nole thought back to when the Chief was promoted.

“The modified Enforcement hours was to prevent someone from discovering your siphoning the city’s water supply into the sewer,” Nole reasoned. 

“No wonder Ryker wants you dead. You’re a dangerous guy,” Caswell smirked.

“You really are as low as they come. Why would you do something like this?”

“What other reason is there besides money. With control of the city’s water supply, I’m holding the lives of these people in the palm of my hand, and making a profit while doing so. I figure it won’t be long before I win everyone over and knock that naïve mayor off his position.”

It’s worse than I thought. All along, the Chief of Enforcers has been depriving Nova City of water. He’s just as bad as Ryker. How many people have died from dehydration? How many have been murdered in cold blood from late night gang muggings when there were no Enforcers stationed to protect them?

It became increasingly clear that the Paras weren’t coming. Judging from Caswell’s earlier report, the Pent and Quad gangs must have engaged them in battle. Nole desperately wanted to know if Suri had made it to the hideout okay. More importantly, he wanted to know if she had stayed there. He couldn’t afford worrying about losing her in the fray of battle, especially if he wasn’t there to protect her.

Caswell’s orders were to use Nole as bait for the others, but so far, no one was biting. This might’ve bothered him a few days ago, but knowing that the orders were to kill, Nole hoped that no one would come to rescue him. As long as Betty and Olivia got Caden and as long as Suri was safe with Valerie, Nole didn’t mind being held hostage.

More than anything, Nole didn’t want any distractions when fighting Ryker and Caswell. Their dishonorable actions not only endangered the city, but what they’d done was personal, and he wouldn’t let them off.

An approaching group of patrol cars came driving in just as the fighting was dying down. At first Nole thought it was reinforcements for Ryker’s personal agenda, but Caswell didn’t react in such a way to indicate that they were his allies. Thinking back, he recalled Caswell telling Ryker that he’d sent a few Enforcers to Betty’s complex to do a more thorough search for Nole. That meant Captain Maddox was among the oncoming group.

Upon closer inspection, there were around thirty cars, each holding two or more Enforcers. A few of the rallying guards cheered at the arrival of their companions as they exited their vehicles. Nole inspected the group nervously, hoping not to see Maddox. Sure enough, their eyes met for an unsettling amount of time.

Caswell grinned smugly at Nole’s palpable uneasiness. Although he was innocent and although Maddox wasn’t a dirty Enforcer like Ryker and Caswell, the Captain wasn’t aware of the truth. In fact, last time they met, he’d almost shot Nole dead.

The newly arrived reinforcements detained the few Paras still fighting on the premises and, per the Chief’s orders, detained them in the patrol cars.

“The station has been infiltrated by a few of Vale’s companions, but Captain Hadley and Sergeants Ryker and Bellamy are on the case. We’ll leave the job to them until we get the all clear.” Nole was shocked by how readily the rest of the force believed the bogus report. He knew full well that Caswell was lying through his teeth, but they didn’t.

“Chief, you got Vale?” an enthusiastic Enforcer pointed out.

“His accomplices are still loose inside,” Caswell reiterated, putting an end to the short-lived celebration. There was a dead silence among the Enforcers, making Nole more apprehensive about his situation.

With a loaded gun at his back and the revenge-seeking Maddox before him, Nole’s hopes of being acquitted, or even remaining alive, rapidly dwindled; especially when Captain Maddox stepped forward. “Captain Maddox,” Caswell asserted, sensing ill intent, “Vale is currently in my custody, so maintain your position and await further instruction.”

“Chief, I request permission to go inside and assist my partner,” Maddox said, clarifying his objective. Based on the way he was eying them, Nole didn’t completely take the Captain’s word for it, and apparently neither did Caswell.

“Captain Hadley and Sergeants Bellamy and Ryker have full control of the situation. Stand down,” he added firmly.

“Sir,” he persisted, taking a few more steps toward them, “I believe the best course of action would be to assist the Enforcers inside.” Nole grew increasingly nervous at Maddox’s advances. Surprisingly, he was more afraid of being falsely punished by Maddox than being held captive by Caswell. From what he’d read in the paper, the Captain was doing nothing but searching for his uncle’s killer, and since the alleged killer was before him, Nole was sure Maddox wouldn’t allow the opportunity of revenge pass by, even at the cost of his career.

A few of the witnessing Enforcers murmured warnings to Maddox about his disobedience, however the Captain took no heed of the advice. He was slowly marching up the short stairway leading to the main entrance, ceasing just a few steps shy of the main level. A grunt came from Caswell as he maintained his patience. At the risk of sounding suspicious, he refrained from being too pushy with his orders, yet Maddox was clearly brushing off the Chief’s directions.

“Chief, there was no viable evidence remaining at the complex.” Maddox looked upward toward them as he relayed information regarding their search. Although the subject had changed, he moved up another step, reinstating his initial idea.

“That’s unfortunate,” the Chief remarked casually. “Regardless, Vale is the primary criminal. I’m sure he’ll give up his accomplices if the offer’s right.”

Clenching his jaw tightly, it was difficult to comply with the conversation. There’s no way he’s being serious. There’s no way I’m selling anyone out, especially if they’re innocent. He can’t get away with this.

Maddox  took a step forward and saluted. “Alright, Chief. Please allow me to take charge of the suspect.” A chill ran down Nole’s spine at the thought of being apprehended by the obliviously vengeful captain. Caswell must have sensed his captive’s trepidation, because a gleeful expression crossed his face upon hearing the suggestion.

It took every fiber of Nole’s being to bite his tongue for fear of being shot in the back, but he desperately wanted to tell Maddox that it was his partner’s gun; that it had been stolen from her after Ryker attacked her and killed Bellamy. Although these details would prove his innocence, he couldn’t afford to anger his captor; unfortunately there would be no going around it given what was coming.

Before Caswell could respond to Maddox, Nole noticed something approaching from the far end of Central’s property.

“More reinforcements,” a delighted Enforcer shouted from below the steps. Having an elevated view of the scene, it wasn’t difficult for Nole to grasp the enormity of the advancing crowd. The fact that they weren’t wearing Enforcer uniforms was a giveaway, but that wasn’t what caught Nole’s eye. Standing front and center, the apparent leader ruffled his wavy blonde hair as if he were approaching a movie audition instead of an insurrection waiting to happen. He seemed to have fully recovered from his stab wound and he carried himself with a posture of confidence rather than arrogance.

Taro. As soon as I’m through getting Caden, I’m going to-

“Hey!” Taro yelled enthusiastically, interrupting Nole’s unforgiving thoughts. “Long time no see!” Unaware of Nole’s fuming anger, Taro waved and threw him a sincere smile. He didn’t even react to Nole’s hostage status. That jerk, Nole thought, clenching his fists. Is he mocking me?

The Enforcers seemed completely out of the loop from Taro’s behavior. “Are you okay?” he shouted. Clenching his fists tighter, Nole wished he could get at him without consequence. Standing face to face, it became unbearably difficult to restrain himself with Murphy’s killer standing before him.

As if sensing an enemy presence, Maddox reached for his holster, allowing his finger to rest on the handle of his gun.

“Who are you?” Captain Maddox demanded. “Are you an accomplice of Vale’s?” His fingers wrapped around the handle, as the pistol slowly slid out from the sling on his hip.

“Vale?” Taro repeated. His confused expression, with inquisitive blue eyes, bounced between Maddox and Nole, as if trying to make the connection. “Oh, you mean him? Well yeah, we’re friends.”

Friends? That little... 

It took all of Nole's willpower not to lunge for the Taro; to make a last ditch effort to avenge Murphy and take down his friend's killer.

“Did you assist in the assassination of Murphy Maddox?” the Captain shot back impatiently.

He didn’t just assist, Nole thought. What I wouldn’t give to go knock the guy’s block off. No, I have to focus. I’m here for Caden first and foremost. Nothing else should matter to me right now.

A shift in the gun’s position against Nole’s back re-alerted him to the situation he was in. Peeking behind him, he noticed the Chief’s hand trembling, but when Nole’s gaze landed on Caswell’s face, the expression was anything but fear. The sadistically overjoyed Chief was muffling his own laughter, amused by the show before him.

“What’s so funny?” Nole murmured to his captor. More subdued chuckles shook the Chief as he tried to remain inaudible to those around him.

“I said, did you assist in the murder of Dr. Maddox?” the Captain demanded more forcefully. Taro’s easy-going expression vanished as he began to lower his head in response to the captain’s question. The smile was gone, and a glower took its place.

“It was my fault,” Taro murmured. “He died because of me.” Nole was shocked to hear Taro admit to the crime. Up until then, he hadn’t even tried to set the record straight.

In an instant, Maddox as well as all of the Enforcers pointed their weapons at Taro, causing the massive group behind him to unsheathe their weapons as well. Amidst the standoff, no one fired a shot, and no one moved a muscle, except for Caswell and the laughter that shook his entire body.

“You’re more twisted than I thought,” Nole whispered to the Chief. “Who would be laughing at something like this?”

“I can’t help it,” Caswell purred. “These fools still can’t see what’s right under their noses.”

“They’ve figured out who Murphy’s murderer is, and they’ll see through you soon enough.”

“Oh, will they?” he challenged. “I strongly doubt that.”

A devilish smirk enveloped Chief Caswell’s face. The round cheeks and bulging eyes made him appear absolutely insane, but it wasn’t until Nole heard the following words that he finally realized what he was dealing with.

Slowly containing his wide smile, Caswell looked down at Nole, the gun pressed firmly against his back, and whispered, “I killed the doctor.”