Chapter 8 - The Breach
Before the guards could pull their triggers, a series of deafening explosions shattered the upper floor of the mansion.
FLASH-BANGS!
The entire basement shook as plaster rained down from the ceiling. The lights flickered and died, plunging the room into chaotic darkness punctuated only by the strobing red and blue lights from outside.
“FBI! HANDS IN THE AIR!” heavy boots thundered down the hall above. The federal reinforcement team had arrived earlier than expected, breaching the main entrance.
Panic broke out on the staircase. Vance acted instantly, firing two shots that disarmed the guard closest to Rachel. The remaining guards dropped their weapons and raised their hands as tactical officers swarmed down the stairs, laser sights painting the room in red dots.
Rachel turned to flee back up the stairs, but Vance rushed forward, tackling her to the ground. The silver pistol went skittering across the concrete floor.
“Rachel Collins, you are under arrest for federal fraud, kidnapping, identity theft, and attempted murder!” Vance barked, pulling her hands behind her back and snapping heavy steel handcuffs onto her wrists.
Rachel screamed, cursing in a voice that held none of the high-society elegance she had spent years mimicking. She was dragged up the stairs, kicking and screaming, exposed finally for the criminal she was.
I dropped to my knees beside Harrison. Vance’s officer used a heavy bolt cutter to snap the iron chain around his ankle.
Harrison collapsed into my arms, sobbing uncontrollably. He was trembling, weak, and frail, but for the first time in three years, he was free.
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“Thank you,” he wept into my shoulder. “I’m sorry... Sarah, I’m so sorry for everything...”
“Save it for later,” I whispered, holding him tightly as paramedics rushed into the basement with a stretcher. “Right now, you’re coming home.”
