Chapter 5 - The Private Security Ambush
The tires of the three black SUVs screeched against the pavement, showering the sidewalk with grit and gravel. Doors flew open in unison, and six men in matte-black tactical gear spilled out onto the street, their assault rifles raised and pointed directly at Officer Miller, Clara, and the toddler.
“Federal and municipal protective custody!” the lead operative shouted, his voice amplified by a tactical helmet speaker. “Step away from the civilian and the minor immediately, Officer Miller! Put your weapon on the ground!”
Miller didn't drop his gun. Instead, he stepped backward, positioning his body directly between Clara and the approaching tactical team. His face was a mask of cold fury, the red and blue lights reflecting off the steel barrel of his service pistol.
“Stand down!” Miller roared back. “This is an active criminal investigation into municipal sabotage and water poisoning! You have no jurisdiction here!”
“We have a court-ordered writ signed by Judge Henderson twenty minutes ago,” the lead operative yelled, advancing slowly with his rifle locked on Miller’s chest. “That toddler is the primary plaintiff in a multi-million-dollar land acquisition dispute. Hand him over, or be charged with kidnapping and obstruction of justice.”
Clara clutched Leo so tightly that the toddler let out a soft whimper. The orange and white tabby kitten hissed, its fur standing straight up as it bared its tiny needle-like teeth at the approaching men.
“Land acquisition?” Clara shouted over the roar of the idling SUV engines. “What does my baby brother have to do with land acquisition? We rent a tiny two-room apartment! We own nothing!”
“You own the deed to the entire industrial block,” a smooth, chilling voice called out from the back of the formation.
A tall man in an expensive charcoal suit stepped out from the middle SUV. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his smile completely at odds with the tactical violence surrounding him. As he stepped into the light of the police cruiser, Clara caught a terrifying glimpse of his mouth when he spoke.
His two front teeth were encased in gleaming, polished silver.
Leo froze in Clara’s arms. The toddler’s eyes grew wide, his body going rigid as he stared at the man in the charcoal suit.
“Hello, little Leo,” the man said smoothly, walking closer despite the warning shouts from Officer Miller. “Did you enjoy your walk in the park? Did you bring back my shiny toy?”
Miller aimed his service pistol straight at the man’s forehead. “Take one more step and I will drop you right where you stand, Councilman Vance.”
Councilman Vance didn't even flinch. He raised his hands slowly, a sickeningly confident smirk playing on his lips.
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“Go ahead, Officer,” Vance whispered, stepping directly into the barrel of the gun. “Shoot me. But before you pull that trigger, you might want to check the live tracking beacon inside the toddler’s yellow romper. Because the moment I stop breathing, the main drainage valve opens, and ten thousand gallons of raw industrial solvent flood the downtown school district.”
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