Chapter 9 - The Figure in the Garden
Agent Miller’s instincts kicked in instantly. She drew her service pistol, her tactical training taking over as she dived toward the window, pressing her back against the heavy mahogany frame. She peered out into the sprawling, manicured estate gardens illuminated by the pale, cold moonlight.
Down below, near the massive, ancient oak tree where the shadows grew deepest, a single flashlight beam flickered twice in a rhythmic, deliberate pattern.
"Who's out there?" Miller called out into the dark room, though she knew the intruder couldn't hear her through the thick double-paned glass. She flicked her radio clip. "Unit Two, this is Agent Miller. We have an unauthorized individual near the western garden perimeter, close to the greenhouse. Check it out immediately."
Static hissed through her shoulder mic, followed by a hurried response. “Copy that, Agent Miller. Moving in now.”
Mark walked over to the window, peering out past the federal agent's shoulder. His eyes narrowed as he watched the flashlight beam blink a third time.
"That's not a trespasser," Mark said, his voice dropping into a tense whisper. "That's an internal signal. One of Thomas's loyalists—probably the head of estate security who managed to slip away during the initial raid."
Lily walked calmly up to the window, resting her small hands on the wooden sill. Her blonde braids caught the moonlight, framing her face like an angelic halo that contrasted sharply with the dark reality of her words.
"It's Uncle Richard," Lily stated matter-of-factly.
Miller glanced down at the child in disbelief. "How could you possibly know who that is from three stories up?"
"Because Uncle Richard is the only one besides Grandfather who knows where the secondary underground bunker is," Lily replied, her tone terrifyingly casual. "The one where they kept the fake passports and the bearer bonds that weren't listed in the official audit."
Mark let out a sharp breath of realization. "The offshore emergency stash. If Richard gets to that bunker before the federal marshals sweep the grounds, the family will have enough liquid capital to buy their way out of extradition within forty-eight hours."
"Not if we get there first," Miller said, turning sharply toward the library door. She clicked her radio again. "All units, secure the perimeter exits immediately. Nobody leaves the grounds, and do not let anyone near the western garden bunker."
May you like
Before Miller could take three steps toward the door, a massive, muffled explosion rocked the entire eastern wing of the mansion, sending a violent tremor through the floorboards and rattling the antique chandeliers overhead.
---
