Chapter 13 - The Broken Seal
Above them, the heavy iron cellar hatch began to screech as hydraulic cutting torches burned through the hinges. Sparks showered down into the darkness like burning stars.
"You're going to blow the line," Mark realized, horror gripping him. "You'll level three city blocks."
"It's the only way to incinerate the ledger and buy you time to reach the coast," Helen rasped, thrusting the silver ring into Mark's hand. "Inside the ring's bezel is a microscopic transponder containing the uncorrupted bank codes for the syndicate’s overseas accounts. Hand it over to the U.S. Marshals in Dover. Tell them code-word 'Blackbird.' They’ll give you and Lily new identities."
"I don't want a new identity!" Mark snapped. "I want my daughter to live without running!"
"Then take the ring and run, because those men coming through that door aren't taking prisoners," Helen hissed.
Suddenly, a small hand reached out from the darkness. Lily was sitting upright, her hazel eyes clear, dark, and terrifyingly focused. The neurotoxin had receded, leaving her unnaturally still.
She looked at Helen, not with fear, but with a chilling, solemn recognition.
"You're the lady from the church," Lily whispered.
Mark froze. "What did you say, Lily?"
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"She wasn't dead, Daddy," Lily said, her childish voice echoing off the curved brick tunnel. "She gave me the pink boots behind the church garden. She told me if I wore them, Mommy would come back."
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