Chapter 6 - The Shadow at the Gates
Two days passed without incident, but the calm inside the Vale estate was deceptive.
On Friday evening, a heavy fog rolled in off Lake Erie, blanketing the manicured lawns and wrapping the iron perimeter gates in a ghostly shroud.
At the main security checkpoint half a mile down the private drive, Head of Security Marcus Vance sat inside the heated guardhouse reviewing camera feeds. Beside him, two junior guards were monitoring the perimeter motion sensors.
“Movement on camera four,” one guard muttered, leaning closer to the monitor. “Near the western perimeter fence.”
Marcus narrowed his eyes. The infrared camera flickered, showing a shadowy figure cutting through the dense brush outside the property line.
“Is it wildlife?” Marcus asked.
“Negative. Bipedal. Looks like they’re carrying something heavy—maybe wire cutters.”
Marcus stood up immediately, grabbing his radio. “All units, Code Three on the western perimeter. We have an unauthorized breach. Do not let them past the woodline.”
Within seconds, two tactical vehicles sped down the dark estate roads, their headlights cutting through the thick fog.
Back at the main house, Rachel was in the second-floor hallway folding linens when she heard the faint, distant pop of a silenced gunshot echoing through the woods.
Her breath caught in her throat. She dropped the towels and ran to the window, pressing her face against the cold glass.
May you like
Thomas.
The name flashed through her mind like a lightning bolt. He had found her. He had breached the estate.
