I Was Eating Lunch With My Wife When The Sheriff Walked In. He Poured A Cold Milkshake Over My Head And Laughed, "Look At This Trash. He Won't Do A Thing."

The forest was deathly silent except for the drip of condensation from the pine needles. Logan moved through the shadows like a phantom, his movements silent and fluid. Nora followed closely behind, her mountain-bred stealth matching his tactical discipline.

They reached the ridge overlooking the town's primary access bridge. Below, three black SUVs were parked horizontally, blocking the road. Five heavily armed mercenaries wearing tactical gear and carrying military-grade rifles were patrolling the perimeter.

"Mercenaries from the Kronos Group," Logan whispered to Nora, observing them through his rifle scope. "Professional killers. Vance hired the best."

"What's the plan?" Nora whispered back, her breath hitching slightly, though her eyes remained resolute.

"We cut off their communications first," Logan said. "See the comms truck in the rear? I'm going to eliminate the operator. When the shooting starts, you cover the left flank from this ridge."

Before Logan could slip away, a loud explosion rocked the distant edge of town. Black smoke billowed into the gray sky near the local gas station.

"They're creating a distraction," Logan muttered, his eyes hardening. "They want to draw me out into the open."

Suddenly, his radio clicked again. It was Vance's voice, broadcasting over the local frequency.

"Logan! I know you can hear me," Vance's voice sneered through the speaker. "We have the local diner surrounded. Your little friend, the sheriff, is currently bleeding on the floor. Hand over Victoria Sterling and the decryption keys, or I burn this entire town to the ground, building by building!"

Nora gasped, horror flashing across her face. "Sheriff Thomas..."

Logan gripped his rifle until his knuckles turned white. "He made a mistake coming to my home," Logan said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "Nora, stay on this ridge. Keep them contained here. I'm going into town."