Chapter 11 - The Runway Chase
The rain beat a relentless tattoo against the roof of the sedan as Marcus navigated the highway toward O'Hare International Airport, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. The digital dashboard clock flashed 5:45 PM—just fifteen minutes before Chloe's private charter was scheduled to taxi onto the active runway.
Maya clutched the federal subpoena Arthur had given them, her eyes fixed on the highway ahead, where the amber runway lights of the private aviation terminal glowed hazily through the storm.
"Take the service gate entrance on the north perimeter," Maya instructed sharply, pointing at her phone's GPS map. "Arthur called airport security. The security guard on duty has our authorization codes, but we have to move fast before she clears customs."
Marcus didn't hesitate. He jerked the steering wheel, sending the sedan skidding slightly across the slick tarmac service road before tearing past a heavy chain-link security gate that swung open automatically as their license plate was scanned.
The car bounced over the gravel access road until they broke out onto the private tarmac, stopping abruptly fifty yards away from a sleek, twin-engine Gulfstream jet. Its turbine engines were already whining with a deafening roar, blowing a fierce gale of rain and exhaust across the concrete.
The boarding stairs were still attached to the aircraft door. As Maya threw open her car door and stepped out into the blinding rain, a figure in a tailored beige trench coat paused on the top step of the stairs, turning back to look at the approaching vehicle.
It was Chloe.
She held a designer leather travel bag in one hand, her hair whipping wildly across her face in the jet wash. Seeing Maya and Marcus step out of the sedan, Chloe froze for a split second before attempting to pull the cabin door closed.
"Chloe! Don't you dare!" Maya screamed over the roar of the engines, sprinting across the tarmac with her heavy coat soaking through instantly.
Marcus bolted past her, his long strides eating up the distance as he dashed toward the boarding stairs, his arms outstretched to block the doorway.
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Chloe dropped her bag, her face contorting into a mask of pure panic as she realized escape was impossible. She turned back toward the cockpit, shouting frantically at the pilot to taxi immediately, but the pilot had already cut the fuel supply upon seeing the federal security vehicles flashing their lights behind Marcus's car.
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