The Seventh Sons (Sycamore Moon Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

was hard to pinpoint the source of the shots. The interrogation room was sound resistant and at the end of a hallway, so most noise funneled from that direction anyway.
    As the startled detective reached for his firearm, he backed into the corner and got an encompassing view of the door, the window, and Diego de la Torre all at once. The prisoner sat quietly stern, hands in fists, looking both calm yet ready to strike at any instant.
    The detective pointed his Glock 22 at Diego.
    "Those were police discharges," Maxim said. "What are they firing at?"
    The prisoner did not waver under the gun but his voice did ease up to sound more soothing. "Do not shoot me, Maxim."
    A cacophony of metal thrashed above and wild footsteps scampered overhead. Maxim's experienced hands did not falter.
    "If anyone comes for you, to try to break you out, I will make sure you don't step a single foot outside this room." The barrel of his pistol aimed squarely at the prisoner's center mass.
    Diego raised both of his arms carefully, empty palms facing the detective. This time there was no magic trick. The prisoner was still calm under pressure but at least appeared to be taking the threat seriously.
    "Maxim."
    Suddenly the door swung open with a heavy urgency. Both men quickly turned to face the intruder. It was Gutierrez, except instead of his usual lackadaisical grin, he wore an expression of pure panic.
    "Sir! The prisoners upstairs, they're escaping!"
    "Shit!" Maxim quickly stood up straight, pointed his gun at the ground, and tried to regain his composure. A sideways glance at Diego confirmed he was sitting attentively in his chair, still safely chained to the table.
    Gutierrez, however, was spooked. Without Hitchens and Cole, he needed a senior officer to lead him through this. "Where's your weapon, rookie?"
    "What?" he said, confused by the question. "Right here." Gutierrez pointed at the gun holstered to his waist.
    "Well get that firearm into your hand and cover my back!"
    Diego stopped him as they took a step to the door. "Maxim, I said I would guarantee your safety. I can only do that if you stay here with me!"
    Gutierrez stared at the prisoner with uncertain eyes and looked to Maxim.
    "I have an officer up there, Diego."
    "Then at least uncuff me. Let me go up there with you. I can help."
    The rookie ran his eyes between both men. He had a skeptical expression but not one of disapproval.
    Maxim, however, knew that winging things in these situations got people hurt or killed. There was a right way and a wrong way to do things, and he needed to set the example if no one else would.
    "That's not happening."
    The detective shoved Gutierrez out of the interrogation room with him, slammed the door shut, and locked Diego de la Torre in with the company of a table, two plastic chairs, and a video camera.
    Upstairs, a quick series of pistol discharges rang out.
    The two policemen sprinted through the main office. Seeing no other officers in sight, they continued up the stairs to the clinic. Maxim took the lead, only slowing near the top of the steps, pointing his gun forward towards the double doors. The rookie behind him did as he had been trained and stayed a few steps back on the opposite wall, occasionally making sure no one was behind them.
    "Sir, if we get through this, I swear I'll shave my face!" Gutierrez shook his head nervously. "I really don't want to die with this stupid gringo mustache!"
    At the threshold of the clinic, Maxim surveyed the scene and slowly advanced. The light in the hallway was nearly blinding after emerging from the duskiness below. The reception desk was still empty, and Kent's chair, once leaning against the wall supporting the officer, was lying on its side in the same spot. Next to it on the floor was his handheld device, still playing a chiptune.
    He couldn't see anything else, but Maxim heard coarse breathing from within the hospital room.
    The detective signaled Gutierrez to stop and inched to the left side of