Sean ran in a crouch close to the wall, carrying the aluminum ladder, careful not to bang it against the stone. He would be in position and ready when Andrew arrived. Andrew was scuttling along the top of the wall, flattening himself as patrolling guards made circuits about the building.

The ladder was dragged slowly up over the stones so as not to make too much noise. They had sacrificed sound for weight over a wooden ladder. When both men were in position, they chose a spot and gently let the ladder down onto the roof.

Quickly and quietly, they searched around the roof for a possible means of entrance. As suspected, they found a large skylight on the slope of one side of the roof. Peering down, they saw several men seated around a large table. Sean carefully lifted  the exterior crank handle, and cautiously gave it a few turns, enough to just open one of the panels so they could listen.

******

"Worked like a charm, Reagan, and wait'll you hear." The two told them about getting the ladder in place and leaving it atop the wall for future use, along with the discovery of the skylight. "But the best takeaway was listening to them argue." Andrew grinned at Sean. "Are you ready? Somebody put a Kilroy symbol on the Inquisitor's office door!"

To say they were all surprised was an understatement. The first thoughts were Brian had somehow managed it, but logic took over and their next connection went to the woman, Leslie.

"This is perfect. Can you imagine that suspicion and worry going on in there right now? We need to think about moving." Sean was getting worked up.

"Not so fast." Reagan pushed the air with his hands. "It has to be organized to the minute. The skylight is a huge advantage. We can access the inside unsuspected if we play it right."

Jason volunteered to lead a small team through that entry, and for the next hour, the plan was shaped, fine-tuned, and stamped approved.

******

The Precinct staff stood at attention around the conference room while Inquisitor raged and threatened those responsible if they didn't come forward. A guard came to the door and whispered something to Simon. He wiped his face and went timidly to Inquisitor.

"There's been more."

Red-faced, a wide-eyed, he turned on the line of people. "Tell me who! If nobody comes forward you will pay." He paraded in front of them, cheeks flaming, spittle flying with each outburst. Nobody moved. "Take them all away! Lock them all up!"

Simon stood wringing his hands as they filed out. "You can't do this, sir. They are needed to run this place."

"Don't you dare think of telling me what's needed. I'll decide what's needed. I will execute one of them in front of the rest, see how they react to that."

"No. No you won't. The Circle has a say in this, and I can tell you, actions like that will not be tolerated." Simon didn't wait for a reply, he left the room, slamming the door, and made tracks after the guards and their prisoners.

Brian was standing, supporting himself on the wall when the door opened again. He was relieved to see it was Leslie, and he walked unsteadily toward her.

"What was all the noise out there?"

"Your idea has given Inquisitor apoplexy. He was threatening all of us. Simon argued against his orders and told us all to get back to work. Your idea certainly hit the bullseye. I managed to sneak down here, but I can't be gone long." She took him by the arms and held him steady.

"I've decided the damage isn't as bad as I feared. They let me use the bathroom and I did a quick examination. The kidneys seem okay – bruised but okay. Just a little weak trying to survive on that soup you bring." He smiled and then sagged forward a little.

"You'd better sit down again."

She slipped an arm under his and around his back, and their faces came almost nose to nose, and for the next minute they stood in a heated embrace, mouths working together. When he pulled back, starting to slip, she helped him back down to a sitting position.

"I think-" his breath came in puffs, "I think that said everything for me."

Leslie squatted beside him, holding his hand in both of hers. "I hope we get a chance to say a little more. Listen, when this- when your plan starts, I'll come and get you right away. We can sneak out the service entrance."

"I don't want you taking any chances."

"I think I'm past that, Kilroy." The wink was brave as she left again.

******

The time had come. The principal actors went over their roles one more time, delegated parts to the supporting company, and then prepared for nightfall.

"You've got everything you need to breach through the skylight?" Cassidy fussed.

"We've been all over it, Reagan." Jason sniggered. "We anchor the rope on one of the vent pipes and climb down. As far as weapons go, we all have knives, the few guns we managed to hide are with those breaching the front."

"Okay, synchronize watches, and fingers crossed. Avoid fatalities at all costs. We don't want this to be some bloodbath."

"Veronica, will you give him something or talk to him, he's driving us nuts." Jason shook his head in amusement.

"I talked Brian into this. If anything happens—"

"Whatever happens, happens, Darling," She cooed in his ear. "Everyone accepts that, but we know it will succeed." Her eyes found Jason's, sharing his unspoken concern.

"Everyone is in position," Sean reported, entering the room. "Time to move."

They all hugged and slapped backs, muttering positive words, then Jason's team left. Cassidy held his wife, gripping her arms, and kissing her.

"You stay in here no matter what, okay?"

She blinked and nodded, whispering her love to him as he headed out the door. He had chosen to lead the frontal breach, and she felt a lump of dread on her heart.

The five-man team scuttled along the top of the wall, staying as low as physically possible. Jason was relieved to see the ladder where it had been left, and while two of the team watched for patrols, the others moved it into position on the roof.

One at a time, they carefully made their way across and into position by the skylight.

"It's empty," Jason whispered. "Tie the rope around the base of that vent pipe. Make sure it's secure." He slowly cranked open the panel until there was room to climb through, and he fed the rope down into the conference room.

The man tying the rope gave him an okay signal, and Jason eased himself over the edge, carefully lowering himself down, his gloves dragging against the coarse fibres. Sean followed and then Andrew. Halfway down the rope jerked, and they heard a yelp from the roof.

The vent pipe had begun bending over from the weight, and the two men fought with it trying to keep it from coming loose. Slipping on the roof, one man lost his grip and the pipe broke free. Andrew's weight hauled the remaining man and the pipe right into the skylight with a crash.

As the rope slackened, Andrew fell the last ten feet into the arms of his friend. They both crashed down, Sean smashing his shoulder against the table edge, and Andrew landing painfully on top of him. Above them, the other member was fighting to keep from falling into the room, his partner frantically pulling on his belt to haul him back out.

The pipe and the rest of the rope flew into the room, clattering about as it hit the table, breaking some ashtrays in the process. Jason was at the door straining to hear while Andrew lay groaning on the floor, and Sean tried to stretch out his own shoulder.

"They're coming." Jason hissed. He grabbed a chair and jammed it under the door handle, leaning his weight into it.

A moment later there was rattling, cursing and muffled voices – then silence.

1330 words

Total to this point - 14,745