Chapter 4 - Ambush in the Dark
Julian Whitfield stepped into the light. He looked different—haggard, his expensive coat stained with dirt, his eyes hollow and desperate. Behind him stood two burly men in heavy winter jackets, their hands tucked significantly into their pockets.
"Give me the ledger, Daniel," Julian demanded, extending a gloved hand. "And maybe I’ll let you and your lovely wife walk back down this hill."
Daniel shielded Emily behind him. "You won't survive this, Julian. The federal government is watching every move you make. Even if you get this ledger, you can't run forever."
"I don't need to run forever," Julian sneered. "I just need to buy my way back into the good graces of the people who run this state. This ledger is my golden ticket. Hand it over!"
One of Julian's thugs lunged forward, aiming a heavy blow at Daniel’s head. Daniel ducked, his engineering reflexes kicking in. He grabbed the man's arm, using his momentum to throw him against the concrete pillar.
"Run, Emily!" Daniel shouted.
But the second thug caught Emily by her jacket. Emily didn't panic. Remembering the years of surviving on her own, she grabbed a heavy rusted iron pipe from the floor and swung it backward, striking the man across the knee. He groaned and collapsed.
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Julian, seeing his leverage slipping, drew a small pistol from his coat. "Stop! Both of you!"
Daniel froze, standing between Julian’s gun and Emily. The tension in the cold basement was suffocating.
