Chapter 7 - The Docks
At 11:45 PM, a cold fog hung heavy over the dark waters of Boston Harbor.
The old municipal dock house hummed with the bass of heavy music and the muffled noise of loud, intoxicated men. Outside, two armed guards walked the perimeter with flashlights.
A white delivery van backed into the loading bay.
Penny stepped out of the passenger side, wearing a black server's apron over a tailored blouse, carrying a heavy wooden crate filled with vintage liquor bottles.
"State your business," a guard barked, flashing his light into her face.
Penny lowered her head, letting her shoulders hunch, playing the part of a terrified, overworked server. "Special delivery for Mr. Vane's private table. From the Lantern Room management."
The guard looked at the expensive label on the top bottle, then scanned her face. He chuckled nastily. "Hey, it's the fat girl from the news. Vane's gonna love this."
He shoved the heavy steel door open, letting her inside.
Penny walked through the dark, damp service hallway, her heart pounding like a hammer against her ribs. She kept her fingers tucked beneath the wooden crate, touching the small wireless transmitter Matthew had attached to the underside.
She climbed the metal stairs to the second floor VIP room.
The heavy wooden doors were open. Inside, around a green felt table, sat six men surrounded by stacks of hundred-dollar bills and stacks of casino chips.
In the center sat Tommy Vane, smoking a cigar, and beside him sat Seamus O'Leary—a brutal, older man with a face like pitted granite.
"Look what the cat dragged in!" Vane laughed, standing up from his chair. "The brave waitress!"
Penny stopped five feet from the table, keeping her head low. "Mr. Vane. Mr. Cole sent... he sent a gift."
O'Leary’s eyes narrowed instantly. "Cole? What are you talking about?"
Penny set the wooden crate onto the side table. As she did, her thumb pressed the hidden button on the underside of the box.
CLICK.
The heavy steel bolt on the rear emergency exit hatch slammed back, unlocking automatically.
Vane realized what was happening a second too late. "She's wearing a transmitter! Kill her!"
May you like
Vane drew a chrome revolver from his waistband.
Penny didn't scream. She grabbed the heavy wooden crate of liquor and hurled it with all her strength straight into Tommy Vane’s face.
