Chapter 13
The warmth of the cabin slowly coaxed Lily into a deep, untroubled sleep on a cot in the corner, her breathing soft and even. Arthur sat at the wooden table under the dim glow of an oil lamp, reviewing the new identities Henderson had provided. Arthur and Lily Vance. Simple, clean, completely untraceable.
Marcus stood by the window, peering cautiously through a crack in the heavy curtains into the snowy expanse outside. "We shouldn't stay here until dawn. Elena's network is vast. If they traced our tracks to the ridge line, they could mobilize a mountain search team within the hour."
Before Henderson could reply, a low, ominous thrum vibrated through the floorboards beneath their boots. It wasn't the sound of a car engine or a snowmobile. It was a heavy, rhythmic chop that resonated deep in their chests.
A helicopter.
Arthur’s head snapped up, meeting Henderson’s narrowed eyes.
"They found us," Arthur said, standing up abruptly.
Henderson grabbed a heavy hunting rifle from the rack above the fireplace, racking a shell into the chamber with a sharp, metallic click. "This cabin is off the grid, but thermal imaging from a private chopper doesn't care about closed curtains. They've got us pinned."
Lily woke instantly at the sound of the rifle, sitting up with a terrified gasp, pulling her wool blanket tight around her shoulders. "Dad? What's happening?"
Arthur rushed to her side, kneeling and taking her small, healing hands in his. "Listen to me, Lily. We're going to leave right now through the back root cellar. Henderson and Marcus are going to cover our exit. You stay right behind me, no matter what you hear. Do you understand?"
Lily nodded, her eyes wide with fear but steady with absolute trust. "I understand, Dad. I won't let go."
May you like
Henderson pulled open a heavy wooden trapdoor in the corner of the cabin, revealing a steep, dark stone staircase leading down into the earth. "This old smuggler's tunnel leads out to the creek bed a quarter mile down the valley. Take the duffel bag and run. Don't stop for anything."
Arthur grabbed the dark leather duffel bag, slinging it over his shoulder, and scooped Lily up into his arms. As the deafening roar of the helicopter blades directly overhead rattled the windows and shook dust from the ceiling rafters, Arthur descended into the dark earth, leaving the past behind forever.
