Chapter 7 - The Final StandThey slid down the smooth metal chute, crashing into a pile of recycled paper and cardboard in the subterranean basement levels. Coughing through the dust, Emma pulled Ethan to his feet. They were now deep beneath the estate, in the old drainage tunnels that led toward the Hudson River.
Above them, the heavy thud of footsteps echoed through the pipes. William Sterling's voice echoed through the metal vents, devoid of any warmth or panic.
"Emma! You’ve been a loyal employee for three years," William’s voice was calm, almost conversational. "Do not ruin your life for something you don't understand. Bring my son and that drive back to the surface. I will make sure you are taken care of for the rest of your life."
"He's lying, Emma," Ethan whispered.
"I know," Emma said, her determination hardening. She pulled out her phone. While cellular service was jammed, the drive had automatically initiated a local Wi-Fi broadcast protocol designed by Evelyn—a high-frequency signal capable of piercing local jammers over a short distance.
She mapped the signal toward the estate's main gate, where emergency vehicles would be passing on the public road outside. If she could reach the perimeter wall, the drive would auto-upload the entire file to the federal law enforcement database.
Sprinting through the muddy concrete tunnels, Emma and Ethan headed toward the light of the drainage outlet near the riverbank. But as they emerged into the foggy night air at the edge of the estate grounds, a silhouette stepped out from the shadows of the trees.
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It was William, holding a gun, flanked by Victoria and Marcus.
"End of the line, Emma," William said, stepping forward. "Give me the drive."
