Chapter 10 - The Backup Lens
Evelyn’s cold composure wavered for a fraction of a second, a micro-expression of genuine uncertainty flashing across her porcelain features before she quickly masked it with a disdainful sneer.
"Security cameras?" Evelyn scoffed, adjusting the strap of her titanium briefcase. "Marcus wiped the entire local network before dawn. There is not a single digital recording left on this estate that implicates me in anything other than managing your chaotic household."
"Marcus wiped the main servers," Elena corrected her, stepping forward with quiet confidence, her fingers gripping the soiled napkin inside her apron pocket. "He wiped the internal corridor cameras, the foyer lenses, and the executive wing monitors. But he didn't check the perimeter meteorological cameras."
Julian turned his head sharply toward Elena, a sudden spark of realization igniting in his dark eyes. "The weather station on the north roof."
"Exactly," Elena nodded, looking directly at Evelyn. "Those cameras operate on an independent solar-powered grid maintained by the municipal environmental bureau to monitor wind speeds and air quality for aviation safety. They cannot be wiped from inside the mansion's local network. And they record a wide-angle view of the entire courtyard, the main entrance, and the executive garage twenty-four hours a day."
Evelyn’s pale blue eyes narrowed behind her sunglasses. She turned her head toward the two tactical guards. "Don't listen to her stalling. Secure them both in the greenhouse immediately."
Before the guards could take another step forward, the distinct, rhythmic chop of helicopter blades suddenly echoed overhead. A sleek black Eurocopter swept low over the tree line, descending rapidly toward the estate's private helipad located just beyond the rose garden.
"The extraction chopper is here," one of the tactical guards muttered, looking back at Evelyn for confirmation.
"We are leaving right now," Evelyn commanded, turning sharply toward the helipad. She gestured for the guards to follow, dragging Julian and Elena along at gunpoint. "Move!"
As they marched across the gravel path toward the landing pad, the wind kicked up violently from the spinning rotor blades, whipping Evelyn’s blonde hair across her face and flattening Elena’s maid uniform against her frame. Julian kept his eyes fixed on the approaching aircraft, calculating the exact distance between himself and the nearest tactical guard.
Just as they reached the edge of the paved helipad, the heavy double gates at the front of the estate suddenly burst open with a resounding crash.
A convoy of three black SUVs bearing federal law enforcement insignia surged through the gates, their sirens screaming into the morning air, lights flashing a blinding red and blue across the manicured lawns.
May you like
Evelyn froze mid-step, her face turning pale as paper.
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