Try to strike a bargain with him? Let's see if she even possessed the qualifications to negotiate. Utterly devoid of patience, Michael gave a subtle, silent hand signal.
Hiding in the blind spot of the adjacent pillar, an elite sniper took steady aim. Within two seconds, a muffled crack echoed through the air. A clean bullet tore through the glass, striking Martha squarely. She collapsed instantly, dying on the spot. The fruit knife slipped from her loosening grip, clattering loudly against the concrete and tumbling down the stairs.
"Mom!" Erica screamed out, her vision blacking out as she collapsed unconscious onto the floor. The fallen woman was immediately restrained by nearby officers, while the captain signaled for a patrol car to haul the hysterical, broken Erica away.
Paramedics rushed forward to clear Martha's body. Michael exchanged a few sharp, low commands with the team captain before rushing up the stairs behind Joseph to check on his grandfather.
