Chapter 6 - Unearthing the Syndicate
The old water wheel was a skeletal monstrosity of rusted iron and rotting oak, slick with spray from the churning creek. I climbed onto the slippery stone housing, the cold mist stinging my face. The metal groaned under my weight as I crawled toward the central axle.
Using the flat end of the tire iron, I pried at a rusted iron cap at the end of the hollow shaft. It resisted at first, shrieking against the threads, before finally popping loose with a loud bang that echoed across the ravine.
Inside the dark recess lay a heavy, waterproof Pelican case, wrapped in layers of thick plastic and secured with a heavy-duty padlock. I yanked it free and climbed back down to the shore, my boots splashing through the shallow water.
"Got it," I said, showing the case to Clara.
"We need to get to the federal building in the city," Clara said, leaning heavily against me as she tried to stand. Her ankle was badly sprained, swelling rapidly inside her boot. "The local police, the county sheriff, even the circuit judge—they're all in Miller's pocket. If we try to hand this to anyone nearby, it will disappear, and so will we."
"Can you walk?" I asked.
"I can crawl if I have to," she said fiercely, her eyes flashing with a mother’s determination. "For them, I can do anything."
Suddenly, a brilliant spotlight flared to life from the top of the ridge, pinning us in its white beam like insects on a board.
"Well, look at this," a voice boomed through a megaphone, echoing off the stone ruins. "The whole happy family, right where they belong."
Deputy Miller stepped out of the tree line, flanked by three men in unmarked tactical gear carrying semi-automatic rifles. They began descending the rocky path toward the ruins, blocking our only exit from the ravine. The sheer cliff face rose up behind us; the raging creek hemmed us in on the sides.
We were cornered.
Miller walked down the path with slow, deliberate steps, his sidearm unholstered and pointed directly at my chest. The light from his tactical flashlight highlighted the cruel, triumphant sneer on his face.
"Hand over the case, Vance," Miller said. "And maybe I’ll make it quick for you. The girls will go to a nice, wealthy family out west who will pay a premium for them, and Clara here... well, Clara’s going to take a tragic fall off the mill overlook. Just like your wife should have."
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My blood boiled at the mention of Olivia. I stepped in front of Clara and the twins, shielding them with my body. "You won't get away with this, Miller. The truth is already out. I’ve read the files. I know who you are."
"Knowing doesn't matter if you're six feet under, Counselor," Miller sneered, raising his weapon to eye level. "End of the line."
