Collateral Blood

3

The warehouse hummed with the sound of activity as Harry and his team worked furiously to finalize their plan. The air was thick with tension, illuminated by the steady glow of a single overhead bulb that cast long shadows across the room. Maps, photographs, and detailed notes covered the large table in front of Harry and his lieutenant, Tom.

The decision had been made: Sloan Montgomery was to be kidnapped tonight. Now, the challenge was to ensure that the execution of the plan went off without a hitch. Every detail had to be perfect.

Tom, his brow furrowed in concentration, studied the layout of Sloan's house. "Sloan's already been to work today. She's home for the night, and Lucas Montgomery is with her. We need to be extremely careful. If Lucas finds out, we'll be in deep trouble."

Harry's jaw tightened. Lucas Montgomery, head of the Black Vipers, was not someone they could afford to underestimate. The plan to kidnap Sloan had to account for the presence of her father at the house, making their approach even riskier. "Lucas being at home complicates things. We need to ensure he doesn't realize what's happening until it's too late."

Tom nodded, pulling out a set of blueprints of Sloan's house. "Here's the layout. We need to get in, grab Sloan, and get out before anyone notices. Lucas's presence means we need a distraction—something convincing enough to keep him occupied."

Harry rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "What about creating a disturbance somewhere else? Something that would divert Lucas's attention. It needs to be something that's just compelling enough to pull him away from the house but not so big that it draws the attention of law enforcement."

Tom considered the idea. "We could stage a small fire or a loud noise in a nearby area. It has to be real enough to catch Lucas's interest but not severe enough to cause major panic. We'll have a team ready to handle the distraction."

Harry glanced at the clock on the wall. Time was running short, and the operation needed to start soon. "We also need to ensure that the distraction doesn't backfire. If Lucas gets even the slightest hint of what we're doing, he'll come straight for us."

Tom's eyes were focused on the details. "We'll use a timed smoke grenade to simulate a fire alarm. It'll be loud and smoky, but it won't cause any real damage. The team will be in place to handle the situation and make sure it draws Lucas out."

Harry nodded, satisfied with the plan. "Make sure everyone knows their roles. We need to be in and out quickly. Once we have Sloan, we'll have a secure safehouse ready, but we must avoid any chance of being followed."

Tom started coordinating with the team, giving them final instructions. Harry observed the flurry of activity, his mind racing through every possible scenario. The stakes were high, and any mistake could lead to disaster.

"I want our team to be ready for any complications," Harry said, his voice firm. "We can't afford to be caught off guard. If something goes wrong, we need to have a backup plan."

Tom nodded, his face set with determination. "We've got it covered. Everyone knows their role and the backup plans. We'll have surveillance to monitor the situation and ensure we're not followed."

Harry looked at the clock again. The operation was set to begin in just a few hours. He knew the risks involved with going after Sloan Montgomery, especially with her father at home. But it was a risk they had to take.

As the final preparations were made, Harry took a moment to reflect on the gravity of their mission. Kidnapping Sloan was a high-stakes gamble designed to force the Black Vipers to negotiate. The success of this operation would not only help them reclaim their lost shipment but also send a message to their rivals.

Tom approached with a final briefing. "Everything is in place. The distraction team is ready, and we have the safehouse secured. We'll need to move fast once we start."

Harry nodded, his expression resolute. "Alright. Let's execute the plan. Remember, we need to be swift and precise. Our success depends on how well we execute tonight."

The team fell silent as they prepared for the operation. The warehouse, once bustling with activity, now seemed to hold its breath as the time for action approached. Harry's mind was sharp, every detail running through his head as he prepared for the night ahead.

With a final nod to Tom, Harry stepped back, the weight of the upcoming mission heavy on his shoulders. The plan was set, and the execution was imminent. Failure was not an option.

The clock continued to tick down the moments until the operation began. Harry knew that tonight would test their skills and resolve in ways they hadn't encountered before. He was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, and he was determined to see the plan through to the end.

As the last preparations were completed, Harry took a deep breath and steeled himself for the coming hours. The stage was set, and there was no turning back now.