Chapter 5 - The Rendezvous
"Marcus," I said, keeping my voice level as I signaled to Sheriff Miller, who was standing in my study.
"She’s still breathing, Nathan," Marcus sneered over the static-filled line. "Barely. But if you want her to keep breathing, you bring the files she stole from my safe to the old saw mill on Route 9 by midnight. No police. If I see a single siren, I finish what I started."
The call disconnected before the line could be traced. Miller immediately began coordinating with state police, but I knew Marcus was unstable and desperate. If he felt cornered, he would eliminate Sarah without hesitation.
I located the files Sarah had hidden in the lining of Lily's coat. They contained original bank statements, forged signatures, and records of offshore accounts under Vance's corporate network. It was definitive proof of systematic extortion and fraud involving millions of dollars.
"I'm going alone," I told Miller.
"That's suicide, Pierce," Miller argued. "Kane is armed, dangerous, and has nothing left to lose."
"If your officers surround that mill, he'll kill her before you even breach the door," I replied, adjusting my jacket. "You follow twenty minutes behind me. Position snipers on the ridge, but do not move in until I have Sarah clear."
Before leaving, I went to the nursery where Lily was awake, staring out at the snow.
"Uncle Nathan?" she called softly.
I knelt beside her. "I'm going to bring your mother home, Lily. I promise you."
May you like
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, wooden wooden carved bird—a piece Sarah had made for her. "Give this to Mommy so she knows it's you."
I took the small carving, placed it carefully in my pocket, and stepped out into the night.
