Chapter 14 - Blood and Ice
The lead enforcer raised his weapon, but a sudden roar tore through the blizzard behind Arthur's vehicles. A massive city snowplow, blades lowered, crashed through the perimeter fence, plowing directly into the first sedan and tossing it sideways across the tarmac.
From behind the plow, unmarked state police cruisers swarmed the runway, sirens blazing red and blue against the snowfall.
Clara’s father, Donald Ashford, emerged from the passenger side of a cruiser, holding a megaphone. "Step away from the aircraft, Arthur! Federal agents have the warrant!"
Clara had never planned to negotiate. She had transmitted the drive's decryption keys to the state attorney general forty minutes ago from her phone in the carriage house.
Arthur’s face twisted in horrific realization. "Traitor!" he screamed, lunging toward Clara with a concealed snub-nosed revolver.
Julian moved instantly. He tackled his father into the frozen slush, the gun firing wild into the gray sky. Julian pinned Arthur’s wrists against the ice, knocking the weapon away. Arthur gasped, looking up at his son with unbridled venom.
"You ruined us!" Arthur spat, blood trickling from his lip. "You destroyed our name!"
"You destroyed it years ago," Julian said, his voice stone cold. "When you broke Evelyn's heart and hunted her like an animal. You're done."
Federal agents swarmed the tarmac, forcing Arthur down and securing his mercenaries in plastic restraints. Donald Ashford stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Clara’s shoulder, while sirens painted the blizzard in flashes of crimson and azure.
May you like
Julian rose slowly, turning back toward the private aircraft.
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