Chapter Twenty-Three: Holden
Contains spoilersOverview
Holden’s crew reaches the Eros flophouse to check on “Lionel Polanski” and is ambushed by a heavily armed squad. A belter tail intervenes, helping drive the attackers off. In the aftermath, the tail reveals he is Miller, finally bringing Miller and Holden together as authorities close in.
Summary
Holden leads Naomi, Amos, and Alex off Eros’ casino levels toward a flophouse where “Lionel Polanski” is registered. They notice a belter in a goofy hat tailing them but continue, deciding their inquiry isn’t illegal. The neighborhood turns rough, and they enter a sparsely staffed lobby.
An older woman from the lobby quietly corners the crew and, revealing a taser, orders them into the stairwell. Before anyone complies, a squad with compact automatic weapons bursts from the stairwell and opens fire, killing the woman and spraying the lobby. Holden drags Naomi to cover; Amos and Alex return fire from the floor.
A flanker tries to circle them, but the belter tail by the entrance shoots him down and points his pistol toward the stairwell instead of the crew. Under crossfire, the attackers pull back and vanish through another exit. Holden keeps the door covered until it swings shut, then approaches the tail.
With police likely inbound, the man warns that he needs to make a call to keep them out of jail. Holden introduces himself; the belter replies, “Nope. Name’s Miller,” revealing that the tail who helped them is the detective who has been tracking Julie Mao.
Who Appears
- Jim Holden
Leads the team to the Eros flophouse; coordinates defense during the ambush; introduces himself to the helpful tail.
- Amos Burton
Spots the tail, trades heavy fire from the floor, and helps pin attackers at the stairwell.
- Alex Kamal
Provides covering fire from behind a couch under intense incoming rounds.
- Naomi Nagata
Refuses to carry a gun; shelters behind the desk during the firefight and questions whether attackers are cops.
- Miller
Belter tail who intervenes in the shootout, kills a flanker, and reveals his identity to Holden.
- Older woman at the flophouse
Attempts to detain the crew with a taser; is killed when the armed squad opens fire.
- Unknown armed squad
Ambushes from the stairwell with compact automatics; retreats after resistance and Miller’s intervention.