Chapter 19 - The Harbor Escape Attempt
Two weeks later, the final remnants of the conspiracy exploded in a dramatic midnight showdown at the city’s international container harbor.
Victor Montgomery had managed to secure temporary house arrest under a medical bond by faking a severe heart condition. But a man like Victor doesn't wait for trial.
At 2:00 AM, Marcus's tracking team flagged a unregistered satellite signal moving toward Pier 42. Victor had hired a luxury offshore yacht to smuggle him out of international waters toward a country with no extradition treaty.
I rode alongside Federal Agent Miller in a high-speed pursuit vehicle, trailing four tactical units through the foggy harbor docks.
"He's on the yacht!" Agent Miller called over the radio as we skidded to a halt near the darkened slipway.
Spotlights from three federal helicopters suddenly lit up the night sky, blinding the crew of the seventy-foot luxury vessel as it attempted to untie its mooring lines.
"Victor Montgomery!" the helicopter bullhorn roared. "Cut your engines immediately! You are surrounded!"
Victor ran out onto the upper deck, holding a heavy briefcase full of bearer bonds and a silver firearm. He looked like a cornered animal, his hair wildly disheveled in the sea wind.
"I built this city!" Victor screamed into the night, raising the weapon toward the police line. "You think you can take everything from me?!"
Before he could pull the trigger, a sharp, loud crack echoed across the harbor water.
A police sniper stationed on the container crane above fired a single, non-lethal shot, striking Victor’s shoulder. The gun flew from his grip, splashing uselessly into the dark water below.
Federal agents rushed the gangplank, slamming Victor onto the wet teak deck and securing his hands in steel cuffs.
I walked up the gangplank slowly, stepping onto the deck as Victor lay on his side, panting in pain, his pristine suit soaked in rainwater and blood.
May you like
He glared up at me through the glare of the tactical lights. "Claire... you miserable... submissive little bitch..."
"You got one thing wrong, Victor," I said, looking down at him with absolute calm as agents pulled him to his feet. "I was never submissive. I was just waiting for you all to stand in the same room so I could destroy you together."
