Chapter 10 - The Ashes of the Past
Skylar pulled the trigger of the heavy flare gun without a single moment of hesitation.
A brilliant streak of burning magnesium shot across the deck, striking the leaking fuel tank with terrifying precision.
The gasoline ignited instantly, creating a massive, deafening explosion that blew the entire rear half of the speedboat to pieces.
The violent blast launched both Skylar and Derek into the freezing, dark waters of the violent ocean.
Skylar fought desperately against the strong current, swimming away from the burning wreckage toward the approaching lights of the Coast Guard vessel.
A federal diver plunged into the water and wrapped a secure rescue harness around her exhausted, freezing body.
She was hauled onto the safe deck of the patrol boat, immediately wrapped in thick thermal blankets, and treated by federal medics.
Minutes later, the agents pulled a severely burned and choking Derek from the water, immediately placing him in heavy steel handcuffs.
The horrific, exhausting nightmare that had begun with a cup of boiling coffee was finally and permanently over.
Six months later, justice had been served with absolute, uncompromising severity in a federal courtroom.
Derek was sentenced to twenty-five years in a maximum-security federal penitentiary for attempted murder and massive financial fraud.
Suzanne fully cooperated with the federal authorities, providing evidence against the syndicate in exchange for a lighter sentence and mandated rehabilitation.
Skylar used her saved bonuses and the insurance settlement to successfully launch her very own, highly profitable independent logistics firm.
Her facial burns healed beautifully into a faint, barely noticeable scar that she wore proudly as a permanent symbol of her incredible survival.
She bought a stunning, sunlit beachfront home overlooking the calm ocean, entirely free from fear and manipulation.
On the morning of her one-year anniversary of freedom, Skylar stood on her beautiful wooden patio, sipping a cup of iced tea.
A courier arrived at her front gate and handed her a beautifully wrapped, heavy wooden box with absolutely no return address.
Skylar carefully sliced the thick packaging tape open and slowly lifted the wooden lid to see what was inside.
May you like
Resting perfectly on a bed of black velvet was the exact same blue dinnerware plate she had left behind in her old apartment.
Attached to the center of the plate was a handwritten note that read: "He was just the distraction."
