Chapter 13 - The Toll Plaza Showdown
The black van slowed to a crawl as it approached the congested lanes of Exit 42. Flashing red and blue lights from a minor multi-car accident painted the wet pavement in eerie neon strokes. Traffic was completely gridlocked, leaving dozens of civilian vehicles idling in the pouring rain. The van glided into the outermost automated toll lane and came to a complete halt right beside a concrete divider.
Through the pouring rain and tinted windows, they saw a sleek black sedan pull up directly behind them, its headlights blindingly bright.
The door of the sedan opened, and Agent Miller stepped out into the downpour. He wore a dark tactical raincoat, his hand resting casually near the holster on his belt. He walked slowly toward the side door of the van, his expression completely devoid of panic.
Inside the van, Claire checked the encrypted satellite app on Daniel’s phone. The live-stream broadcast queue was loaded, connected directly to three major national news networks and the Department of Justice internal affairs portal. All she needed to do was tap a single digital button.
"Remember your cues," Claire whispered to Elena and Daniel.
The sliding door of the van was yanked open. Miller stood on the wet threshold, rain dripping from his collar, holding a small pistol pointed downward. He looked at Daniel, then at Claire and Elena, a thin smile playing on his lips.
"Hand it over, Vance," Miller said smoothly. "You played a good game, but the house always wins."
Daniel didn't move. He sat rigidly in his seat, staring at the man who had ruined his life.
Claire stepped forward, placing herself squarely between Miller and Daniel. She held up her white handbag, unzipping the pocket with deliberate slowness.
"You really thought you could pin ten years of corporate embezzlement and cartel payoffs on an HVAC salesman, Miller?" Claire asked, her voice carrying clearly over the sound of the rain.
Miller’s smile vanished. He raised his pistol, leveling the barrel at Claire’s chest. "Give me the drive, Mrs. Vance. Or I swear to God, I will put a bullet through your heart and claim it was crossfire."
Elena didn't hesitate. She lunged forward from behind the seat, slamming her heavy metal thermos full of hot coffee directly into Miller’s weapon hand.
Clang!
The pistol flew out of Miller’s hand, clattering away across the wet concrete into the traffic lane.
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With a fierce cry, Claire tapped the glowing upload button on the satellite phone screen, instantly broadcasting the entire master ledger file to millions of screens nationwide, while simultaneously locking the van’s doors as Miller lunged forward in blind rage.
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