Chapter 12 - The Inside Man
The Escalade rattled to a halt beside an overgrown chain-link fence surrounding a decommissioned Nike missile silo deep in the New Jersey pine barrens. The rusted corrugated metal buildings were swallowed by aggressive vines and towering pine trees, creating an atmosphere of absolute isolation.
"Why are we here?" Elena asked, stepping out of the vehicle and pulling her damp jacket tighter around her shoulders.
"Because the only man left inside the Department of Justice who isn't on Vanguard's payroll lives three miles down this access road," Marcus said, grabbing a heavy metal briefcase from the trunk.
They walked briskly through the damp, needle-strewn path until they reached a modest, single-story ranch house hidden behind a dense thicket of oak trees. A single light burned in the front window. Marcus didn't bother knocking; he walked straight up to the side door, produced a small set of lockpicks, and had the deadbolt open in less than five seconds.
"Marcus, breaking into a federal agent's house is a federal felony!" Elena hissed, following him into the dimly lit kitchen.
"Special Agent David Vance wouldn't mind," Marcus said casually.
Elena froze dead in her tracks, the blood draining completely from her face. "What did you just say?"
A tall man stepped out from the hallway shadows, holding a steaming mug of coffee in one hand and a service pistol in the other. He had short light brown hair, tired eyes, and wore a simple grey t-shirt and blue jeans. It was David. Her fiancé. The man who had texted her just this morning wishing her luck on her routine corporate audit.
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"Hello, Elena," David said softly, his voice dangerously calm. "Welcome to the safehouse."
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