CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO – OLD FRIENDS

In an instant, chaos erupted. The gang scattered, fleeing through the back exits and leaving a trail of overturned furniture in their wake. Gordon seized Jasmine's hand, his grip like iron. "This way!" he barked, dragging her toward the open window. They tumbled out onto the fire escape, the rusted metal groaning beneath their weight. Below, a squad of police cars had formed a perimeter, their sirens wailing into the night. "Down there!" a voice bellowed, and a spotlight swept over the fire escape, momentarily blinding them. Gordon cursed under his breath, his eyes scanning their surroundings for an escape route. Spotting a decrepit ladder leading to the adjacent building, he pointed urgently. "That way! Move!" Jasmine's heart pounded in her ears as they scrambled across the rickety platform, the metal creaking ominously beneath their feet. Behind them, the sound of pounding footsteps echoed from the stairwell, signaling their pursuers' approach. They reached the ladder just as t