Chapter 8 - Into the Mines
The freezing rain stung Natalie’s face as she and Marcus slipped out of the truck into the shadows.
They moved silently across the rocky terrain, keeping the heavy forest canopy between them and the syndicate guards.
Detective Vance was pacing angrily near the entrance of the abandoned mining tunnel, smoking a cigarette.
"Just get it done," Vance snapped at the scar-faced leader. "The federal auditors arrive in forty-eight hours, and I want this entire mess sealed away forever."
The scar-faced man nodded, shoving Andrew roughly toward the dark, echoing abyss of the mine shaft.
"Daddy, no!" Ashley screamed, her voice echoing off the damp rock walls.
Andrew stumbled, catching himself on the rough stone, and turned around to shield his daughter with his own body.
"Leave her alone!" Andrew roared, his voice filled with a desperate, fatherly fury. "Take all the money! Just let her go!"
The scar-faced man laughed cruelly, pulling a heavy silver pistol from his waistband.
"You should have kept your nose out of the bank's books, Miller," the man sneered, raising the barrel of the gun.
Natalie raised her service weapon, aiming carefully through the driving rain at the scar-faced man's shoulder.
"On my count," Marcus whispered softly beside her, leveling his shotgun with lethal precision.
Before Natalie could count to three, a blinding flash of light illuminated the entire mountainside.
A heavily armored police tactical vehicle burst out from the hidden logging road behind the syndicate SUVs.
Dozens of federal agents poured out of the vehicle, shouting commands and raising assault rifles.
"Federal Bureau of Investigation! Drop your weapons!" the lead agent bellowed over a loudspeaker.
Detective Vance froze, dropping his cigarette into the mud as absolute panic washed over his face.
The syndicate guards tried to reach their vehicles, but federal agents pinned them down with suppressive fire.
The scar-faced leader grabbed Ashley by the arm, using her as a human shield and backing slowly into the mine shaft.
"Back off, or the kid takes a bullet!" the man screamed, pressing the cold steel against Ashley's temple.
Andrew lunged forward like a striking animal, tackling the scar-faced man hard into the rocky ground.
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The gun flew from the man's hand as they rolled violently across the damp cavern floor.
Natalie didn't hesitate; she sprinted across the clearing and dove into the dark mouth of the mine.
