Chapter 34: Setting the Hook

"Exactly. Graves will lead the main sweep. He'll take the most obvious route. The well shaft is a dead end. Once they're in, it's over for them." She pushed forward. "We need to move. They're getting closer."

We crawled through a low, cramped section of the tunnel, the stone scraping against my back. Then, the passage opened into a wider chamber, a natural cavern, damp and echoing. Three dark openings beckoned.

"Here," she whispered, pointing to the middle opening. "This is the well shaft. It drops about thirty feet to a pool of stagnant water. They won't see it until they're falling."

"And the other two?"

"One leads to the saloon. The other is a longer loop, under the main street. Yes, it can go back to the church, but it has a hidden door that leads out. That's our escape route, once Graves is dealt with." She paused, listening. The sounds of boots on stone grew clearer.

"They're coming down the main passage," I said.

"Good. Now, the distraction." Maddie pulled a small, silver flask from a hidden pocket. She unscrewed the top, a sickly sweet scent filling the air. "Phosphorous. My father always kept a few things. It creates a smoky, disorienting haze."

She splashed a few drops onto the stone floor near the well shaft, then used a lighter to ignite it. A hiss, then a small, green flame erupted, spitting acrid smoke.

"They'll follow the smoke," she explained, her voice tight. "They'll think we're trying to hide. We lead them right into the trap."

We retreated into the opening of the path leading under the church, a small alcove just out of sight of the well shaft. The smoke began to fill the chamber, a choking, green fog.

Footsteps. Heavy, deliberate. Then, a voice, muffled by the smoke. "Anyone see anything?"

"Just smoke, boss. Smells like a firecracker."

"Keep moving. They're in here somewhere." Graves. His voice, thick with irritation, bounced off the walls.

Two figures emerged from the smoke, rifles raised. They peered through the haze, their eyes darting, trying to pierce the gloom. One stepped forward, his boot sliding on the damp rock near the well.

"Careful, dumbass," Graves' voice barked from behind them.

Too late. The first man screamed, a gurgling cry, as the ground vanished beneath him. A splash echoed from the depths of the shaft. The second man, startled, stumbled back.

"What the hell was that?" Graves yelled, his voice laced with sudden alarm.

"He fell, boss! There's a pit here!"

"Pit? I thought you scouted this!" Graves stomped forward, his silhouette looming in the smoke.

As he reached the edge of the well, I moved. My pistol, silenced, spat twice. The second Mongol dropped, a soft thud on the stone. Graves roared, drawing his own weapon, firing wildly into the smoke.

"It's him! Draven! He's in here!"

"We know, Graves," Maddie said, her voice like ice, materializing from the smoke-filled gloom. Her pistol was steady, aimed at his chest. "It's over."

Graves spun, his eyes wide with surprise. He hadn't heard her approach, couldn't see her until she was inches away. "You… you traitorous bitch!"

"Such language," she said, her finger tightening on the trigger. "Tell me, Graves. What did Finch promise you? More power? A bigger cut?"

He grunted, defiance warring with terror in his eyes. "You won't get anything from me. Miguel will tear this town apart to find you."

"Miguel isn't here," I said, stepping into Graves' view, my pistol still trained on his head. "And soon, you won't be either. But before you go, tell us about The Oracle. What does Finch want with it?"

Graves scoffed, a mixture of rage and fear twisting his face. "Oracle? Finch? You think you know something, detective? You're just a pawn in a game you don't understand."