Chapter 6 - The Impossible Choice
The threat against his own family hit Daniel like a physical blow to the stomach.
He had intentionally kept his wife and daughter completely separated from his dangerous police work.
"If you hurt them, I will hunt you down and kill you," Daniel growled into the phone.
The synthetic voice merely laughed, producing a cold and hollow sound that echoed in Daniel's ear.
"You have one hour to deliver the clones to the abandoned shipyard on Pier Four."
The caller hung up, leaving Daniel standing in the clinic with a terrible, impossible choice.
He looked at Emma and Olivia, who were finally holding hands and smiling at each other.
He could not trade the lives of these innocent girls, even to save his own beloved family.
He needed an army to fight the corrupt government forces, but he was entirely alone.
Daniel remembered an old, retired detective named Marcus Thorne who lived off the grid.
Marcus had left the force years ago after attempting to expose a massive mayoral corruption scandal.
Daniel loaded the girls back into the maintenance van and drove carefully to the outskirts of town.
They arrived at a secluded cabin hidden deep within the dense pine forests.
Marcus opened the door holding a pump-action shotgun, but lowered it when he recognized Daniel.
"You are the most wanted man in the country right now, kid," Marcus said gruffly.
Daniel quickly explained the cloning ring, the microchip, and the terrifying hostage situation.
Marcus listened intently, brewing a pot of strong black tea on his rusty antique stove.
"We will call the FBI field office in the next state over," Marcus promised reassuringly.
He handed Daniel a steaming mug of tea and offered the girls some warm milk.
Daniel took a long sip, grateful for a moment of peace in the chaotic nightmare.
"We have to rescue my wife before the hour is up," Daniel pleaded desperately.
Marcus nodded slowly, but his eyes suddenly looked incredibly sad and deeply apologetic.
"I am truly sorry, Daniel, but the Governor promised me a full pension and immunity."
Daniel tried to stand up, but his legs suddenly felt like they were made of heavy lead.
He looked down at his half-empty mug and realized the tea had been heavily drugged.
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He collapsed onto the wooden floor, completely paralyzed as Marcus picked up a satellite phone.
"I have the officer and the two subjects," Marcus told the person on the other end.
