Chapter 14: Turning the Tide
Marshal Vance’s head snapped around toward the entrance of the locomotive shed.
Rolling slowly through the rusted sliding doors came three black-and-white state police cruisers, their emergency lights flashing silently in the dim interior, followed immediately by two heavy-duty federal transport vans bearing the insignia of the U.S. Attorney General's Office.
Armed agents in tactical gear poured out of the vehicles in a synchronized wave, their weapons instantly raised and locked onto Vance and his two subordinates. Within three seconds, the tables had been completely turned, transforming the hunters into the hunted.
Vance’s face darkened with sudden, murderous rage. He reached inside his coat—
"Don't even think about it, Vance," a voice rang out as a senior federal prosecutor stepped out from behind the lead police cruiser, flanked by four armed U.S. Marshals. "Your clearance was revoked at midnight. Every name on that ledger has already been cross-referenced with your offshore accounts."
Vance’s hand froze inside his coat. He slowly withdrew it, his fingers curling into tight fists at his sides as he glared across the concrete at Cale and Jack. "You think this stops with me? The syndicate goes deeper than you can possibly imagine. You're cutting off one head of a hydra."
"Maybe so," the prosecutor replied calmly, nodding to the tactical team. "But today, we start with yours."
Two agents moved in swiftly, pressing Vance against the side of his black sedan and snapping heavy steel cuffs around his wrists. His subordinates surrendered without a struggle, their weapons clattering onto the concrete floor.
Jack watched the arrest unfold with a quiet, hollow sense of closure. He reached inside his jacket, pulled out the waterproof pouch containing the encrypted data drive, and walked over to the prosecutor, handing it over without a word.
May you like
"Thank you, Mr. Reed," the prosecutor said, accepting the drive. "You and your associates have performed a significant public service today. The witness protection protocol will cover Cale and the girl immediately."
Jack nodded slowly, then turned and walked back toward the Ford truck where Maya was standing by the passenger door, her hands still clutching the tattered leather vest.
