Chapter 8 - The True Traitor
The satellite phone went dead before I could even ask who was speaking on the other end of the line.
I stared at the blinking red light on the screen, a sickening realization slowly creeping up my spine.
"Who was that?" Michael shouted over the roaring wind, keeping his eyes firmly focused on navigating the dark waters.
I didn't answer him immediately; my mind was racing back to the very beginning of this impossible nightmare.
Only three people knew the exact location of the restaurant's hidden underground bunker.
I knew, Elias knew, and Michael Reed knew.
We docked the zodiac violently against the wooden pier of the industrial harbor, scrambling onto the wet, rotting planks.
Mia collapsed against a wooden crate, her face completely pale as the blood loss from her leg wound intensified.
"I can get the federal agents to stand down, Daniel, just give me a radio," Mia gasped, clutching her bleeding thigh.
I turned slowly to face Michael, watching him closely as he systematically checked the magazine of his assault rifle.
"How did the FBI know about the bunker beneath the restaurant, Michael?" I asked, my voice dangerously calm and level.
Michael paused, his thumb hovering over the weapon's safety catch as he slowly looked up at me.
"Mia just told us she was a federal agent, Daniel, she obviously leaked the location," Michael replied smoothly.
"I didn't know about the restaurant bunker until Claire hijacked the feeds this morning!" Mia protested weakly from the ground.
The heavy, oppressive silence that followed her statement was absolutely deafening over the crashing harbor waves.
Michael sighed heavily, a cold, emotionless mask suddenly replacing the loyal expression he had worn for the last ten years.
He fluidly raised his assault rifle, aiming the barrel directly at the center of my chest without a single hesitation.
"You really were getting too soft for this business, Daniel," Michael stated, his voice completely devoid of any remorse.
"You are the federal informant," I whispered, the final puzzle piece locking horrifyingly into place in my mind.
"I am not an informant, Daniel, I am the lead director of the entire syndicate task force," he corrected mockingly.
He had orchestrated the weapons deal, used Elias to frame Claire, and manipulated the rival bosses into the bunker.
He planned to let Claire execute the cartel leaders, then arrest her for the murders while claiming my empire for the government.
"Drop your weapon, Daniel, or I will end this right here on the docks," Michael ordered, his finger tightening on the trigger.
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Before I could react, a massive, black armored van crashed violently through the wooden gates of the harbor.
The side door slid open, revealing Claire standing inside with a heavy grenade launcher aimed directly at Michael.
