Chapter 5 - The Ambush at the Estate
"Get down!" David roared, tackling Evelyn to the floor just as a hail of silenced gunfire shattered the stone archway of the cellar.
Sparks flew through the darkness. The scent of gunpowder filled the narrow subterranean room.
"They aren't here for money, Evelyn—they're here for that file!" David shouted over the deafening echoes, firing his tactical pistol back up the stairwell.
"Who sent them?!" Evelyn gasped, clutching the yellowed binder tightly to her chest.
"We find out later! We need to move NOW!" David pulled a smoke grenade from his vest, popped the pin, and slammed it against the wall before throwing it up the stairs. White smoke billowed instantly, blinding the incoming attackers.
David grabbed Evelyn’s arm, hauling her through a secondary emergency exit corridor that led toward the estate's underground garage. Gunfire echoed behind them as Evelyn’s security team engaged the masked mercenaries in a brutal firefight.
They burst into the subterranean garage. David sprinted to the armored SUV, shoved Evelyn into the back seat, slammed the door, and jumped into the driver's seat, slamming the gas pedal to the floor.
The heavy SUV smashed through the reinforced side security gates of the property, spinning out onto the rain-slicked highway just as three black SUVs veered into pursuit, their high beams blinding David in the rearview mirror.
"Hold on!" David yelled, violently turning the wheel as the pursuing vehicles opened fire, bullets ricocheting loudly off the SUV's bulletproof armor.
Evelyn pulled out her phone, her hands shaking with pure adrenaline. She dialed a private number—the head of the Federal Financial Crimes Division, Director Vance (no relation), who had been quietly monitoring her family's corporate fraud.
"Director! I have the original documents proving Victoria Rhodes was murdered and her assets stolen by Eleanor and Richard Vance! I’m under heavy attack on Route 9!" Evelyn shouted into the phone.
"Evelyn, listen to me very carefully," Director Vance’s voice responded, sounding grim. "Do NOT go to the police station. The police chief in your district is on Eleanor Vance’s payroll! Drive to the federal harbor docks—I have a team waiting for you."
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. "Wait... how did you know I was on Route 9?!"
The line went dead with static.
Evelyn looked at the phone, then at David in the driver's seat. "David... drop the phone out the window. NOW!"
"What?" David asked, startled.
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"IT'S A TRACKER!" Evelyn screamed.
Before David could roll down the window, a massive heavy-duty pickup truck slammed into the side of their SUV, sending the vehicle rolling uncontrollably off the highway embankment, smashing into the dark forest below.
