Chapter 16 - The Midnight Emergency AlertElena’s hand instantly flew to her pocket, pulling out a secure, encrypted satellite phone that Arthur had insisted she carry. The screen flashed with a red alert code originating from the federal penitentiary’s perimeter security system.
Emily’s breath caught in her throat. “Mom... what is that?”
Before Elena could answer, her phone buzzed with an incoming encrypted text message from the prison warden: “INMATE RICHARD STERLING HAS ESCAPED DURING TRANSPORT TO THE MEDICAL WARD. ARMED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. HE IS HEADED TOWARD THE ESTATE.”
The temperature in the nursery seemed to drop ten degrees.
“He’s out,” Elena whispered, her maternal instincts instantly shifting from gentle nurture to lethal predator mode.
“How?! How could a maximum-security prisoner escape?!” Emily cried, panic threatening to overwhelm her as she instinctively pulled her baby closer to her chest.
“Inside help. One of the corrupt guards he bribed with his hidden offshore accounts,” Elena said coldly, standing up with absolute, chilling composure. She gently handed baby Chloe back to Emily. “Lock the reinforced panic room doors immediately. Do not open them for anyone—not even me, unless I give you the specific passcode we agreed upon.”
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“Mom, no! You can’t face him alone!” Emily pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
“I am not alone, Emily. I am a mother protecting her bloodline,” Elena replied firmly. She reached beneath the cushion of the velvet armchair and pulled out a sleek, matte-black tactical holster containing a licensed firearm. “Stay inside. I’ll handle this.”
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