Chapter 6 - The Sawmill Confrontation
The old sawmill sat deep in the valley, a decaying wooden structure surrounded by rusted machinery and towering mounds of snow. The temperature was dropping fast, and the wind blew through the broken timbers of the outer shed.
I stepped inside holding a leather briefcase containing the documents. The air smelled of damp wood, rust, and engine oil.
"Marcus!" I called out, my voice echoing through the open rafters.
A figure stepped out from behind a line of heavy industrial saws. Marcus Kane looked haggard, his clothes torn, eyes bloodshot, and a hand wrapped in bloodied bandages. In his right hand, he held a revolver.
Behind him, tied to a wooden support beam, was Sarah. Her face was pale and bruised, her clothes torn, but her chest moved in slow, steady breaths. She was alive.
"You took your time, doctor," Marcus spat, stepping closer, keeping the gun trained on my chest. "Where are the kids?"
"They're safe. Far away from you," I said calmly, setting the briefcase on a wooden crate between us. "Here are your documents. Everything you and Vance built. Take it and let her go."
Marcus laughed bitterly. "You think Vance gives a damn about these papers now? The moment your niece got away, Vance pulled his support. He left me to freeze out here! The only way I get out of the country is with your money, Nathan."
He raised the gun toward my head. "You're going to transfer five million from your offshore account right now, or your sister dies in front of you."
May you like
"I'll give you whatever you want," I said, taking a step forward. "But look at her, Marcus. She needs medical attention now. Let me stabilize her."
"Don't move!" Marcus shrieked, his finger tightening on the trigger.
