Chapter 8 - The Ransom
The drive to the city cemetery was a silent and terrifying blur.
The storm raged on, flashing lightning across the dark sky.
Daniel grabbed a heavy iron crowbar from the back of Nora's truck.
He ran through the wet grass toward the grand mausoleum of his late wife.
He had spent a fortune building this marble structure for Sarah.
Now, he was about to desecrate it to save their daughter.
Nora stood watch at the entrance with her weapon drawn.
Daniel used the crowbar to pry open the heavy stone lid of the sarcophagus.
The horrific smell of dust and decay filled the small room.
Daniel ignored the skeletal remains and searched the velvet lining of the casket.
His fingers brushed against a small, hard plastic square hidden near the pillow.
He pulled out a silver USB drive wrapped in waterproof plastic.
"I found it," Daniel breathed heavily, staring at the small device.
"We need to hurry, we only have twenty minutes left," Nora urged.
They raced back to the truck and sped toward the abandoned shipyard.
The docks were pitch black, illuminated only by occasional lightning strikes.
Nora parked the truck behind a rusted shipping container.
"I will provide cover from the high ground," Nora whispered, climbing onto the container.
Daniel walked slowly into the center of the loading dock, holding the drive up high.
Two large headlights suddenly clicked on, blinding him completely.
A black SUV idled fifty yards away in the pouring rain.
A tall figure stepped out of the vehicle, holding Lily by the collar of her jacket.
"Daddy!" Lily screamed, struggling against the large man's grip.
"Let her go, I have what you want!" Daniel shouted over the storm.
The figure walked closer, stepping into the dim light of the streetlamp.
Daniel's brain completely stopped processing reality for a moment.
The person holding his daughter was not a cartel thug.
It was a woman wearing an expensive red trench coat.
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She pushed her wet blonde hair out of her face and smiled at him.
"Hello, Daniel," Sarah said, looking very much alive.
