Chapter 7 - Race Against TimeThe black Eurocopter chopped fiercely through the afternoon sky, banking sharply over the Napa Valley vineyards as it descended toward the Carter estate.
From the air, Ethan could already see the devastation. Billowing black smoke poured from the windows of the east wing. Private security guards lay unconscious or worse across the manicured lawns.
The helicopter hadn't even touched the ground before Ethan threw open the cabin door and leaped onto the grass, sprinting toward the mansion with his tactical sidearm drawn.
He kicked open the shattered front doors of the estate.
"Sophie! Lily!" Ethan yelled, coughing from the heavy smoke filling the grand foyer.
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From the hallway near the kitchens, Maria stumbled out, bleeding from a gash on her forehead, clutching her arm.
"Ethan! Thank God!" Maria gasped, leaning against the wall. "They took them! Three men in tactical gear... they took the girls through the underground greenhouse tunnel!"
