The Circle of Justice
Four high-intensity searchlights mounted on the shipping containers flared simultaneously, blinding Patrick and his crew in a dazzling wall of white halogen glare.
"FEDERAL AGENTS! DROP TO YOUR KNEES! HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD!"
From behind the metal containers, a dozen tactical officers from the FBI and Coast Guard Maritime Safety Unit swarmed the dock, assault rifles trained on the vessel. In the harbor, a cutter patrol boat powered out of the mist, cutting off the yacht's escape route with its siren wailing.
The two crew members immediately threw their hands in the air, falling flat onto the wooden planks.
Patrick stumbled backward, covering his eyes against the blinding lights. "Wait! This is a domestic dispute! I have custodial visitation rights!"
Detective Miller stepped through the perimeter of tactical officers, holding a signed federal warrant.
"Patrick Ross, you are under arrest for attempted international parental kidnapping, federal wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit human trafficking," Miller announced, his voice ringing over the harbor. "Your asset extraction broker was apprehended at Logan Airport twenty minutes ago. He handed over your complete itinerary."
Patrick looked past the lights toward Claire. He saw the cold, unyielding resolve in her eyes, and then his gaze dropped to the plush rabbit in Lily's arms.
"The archives..." Patrick stammered, realizing his last remaining weapon was useless. "I have the pension files..."
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"My father built the truth, Patrick," Claire said, stepping back into the safety of the perimeter. "You only learned how to steal it."
Two federal marshals forced Patrick to the ground, pulling his arms behind his back and clicking heavy steel cuffs around his wrists.
