Chapter 7 - The Flight into Darkness
The police sirens were echoing in the distance, but the danger wasn't over. Thomas Seagull had escaped into the sprawling woods surrounding the estate, and according to Arthur Vance’s phone, which Richard recovered, a secondary extraction team from Victor Vance’s cartel was already inbound via helicopter to clean up the mess.
"We have to move," Richard said, helping Joan to her feet. He tied his silk necktie around her bleeding shoulder to stem the flow. "The local police are twenty minutes away. Victor Vance’s men will be here in five."
"Where do we go?" Joan asked, holding a crying Betty close to her chest.
"The old boat house on the lake," Richard said. "I have a secure vehicle there that isn't connected to the estate’s main grid. If they hack the house security, they can lock us in. We have to get out of the perimeter."
They moved through the secret service corridors of the mansion, avoiding the main halls where panicked gala guests were fleeing. The night air was freezing as they burst out onto the back lawns, sprinting toward the dark tree line.
Suddenly, a bright searchlight illuminated the grass behind them. The chopping sound of helicopter rotors tore through the night sky. A black, unmarked chopper was hovering over the estate's helipad, and armed men were rappelling down.
"Run!" Richard shouted.
They dove into the thick woods just as a volley of gunfire chewed through the leaves above them. Joan’s legs felt like lead, her breath burning in her lungs. She looked down at Betty, who was running as fast as her little legs could carry her, her hand still locked inside Joan's.
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Suddenly, a figure stepped out from behind a massive oak tree, a rifle raised.
It was Thomas. His expensive suit was torn, his eyes wild with madness. "It ends here, Richard! Give me the flash drive with the patent codes, or I swear to god I’ll kill all three of you!"
