Chapter 12
The hissed roar of the ignited flare pierced the stormy night air, casting a violent, bloody red glow across Evelyn’s manic face and Lily’s terrified, tear-streaked expression. Sparks showered downward, glowing like dying embers as they drifted toward the open hatch of the diesel fuel drums resting on the yacht’s stern.
“No!” Christopher screamed, lunging forward with explosive speed, closing the distance across the wooden planks despite the slick rain.
Evelyn threw her head back and laughed, her arm drawing back to hurl the burning flare directly into the volatile fuel. But before the flare could leave her fingertips, a sharp crack echoed over the roar of the wind.
Evelyn gasped, her eyes widening in utter disbelief as the flare slipped from her fingers, plunging harmlessly into the dark, churning seawater below. She staggered backward, clutching her shoulder where a single tactical round had shattered her collarbone with surgical precision.
She collapsed against the wooden railing, sliding down into a heap of wet yellow lace and mud.
Christopher didn't stop to look at her. He sprinted past the fallen woman, dropping to his knees and scooping Lily into his arms in one fluid, desperate motion. He pulled her tight against his chest, shielding her face from the driving rain and the lingering smoke of the thwarted fire.
“I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you,” Christopher whispered, his voice cracking slightly as tears finally mixed with the rain on his cheeks.
“Daddy... you came,” Lily sobbed, wrapping her small arms around his neck, burying her face into his wet uniform jacket.
Detective Miller and a half-dozen armed tactical officers swarmed the pier from both sides, securing the yacht and placing the unconscious, bleeding Evelyn into heavy plastic restraints. Miller walked over, his raincoat dripping, looking down at the dramatic scene with a grim nod of approval.
“She’s secured, Commander. Medics are on the way,” Miller said, eyeing the smoking remains of the flare in the water. “That was a hell of a shot by our sniper on the perimeter.”
Christopher stood up slowly, holding Lily securely in his arms. He looked down at Evelyn as she was hauled to her feet by two federal agents, her face twisted in bitter, defeated hatred.
“Take her away,” Christopher said coldly. “And make sure she never sees the light of day again.”
As the officers escorted Evelyn toward the flashing blue lights of the waiting ambulances, Miller handed Christopher a sealed manila folder recovered from the yacht's captain's chair.
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“You might want to look at this, Commander,” Miller said quietly. “It’s not just a fraud scheme. It’s a complete roster of every sleeper agent planted inside the naval command.”
Christopher opened the folder, his eyes scanning the first page, realizing the battle was far from over.
