Chapter 5 - The Country Club Siege
I stared at the radio in sheer disbelief.
The Fergusons had somehow managed to buy their way out of federal custody in less than four hours.
"They must have a corrupt federal judge in their pocket," my lead operative muttered, voicing my exact thoughts.
This meant the entire legal system was compromised, and we could only rely on ourselves.
We arrived at the luxurious, sprawling grounds of the Ferguson country club just after midnight.
The estate was heavily guarded by private security contractors patrolling with attack dogs.
"Take out the perimeter guards silently," I ordered my team through our encrypted earpieces.
My operatives moved like ghosts through the manicured hedges, disabling the security forces without firing a single shot.
Abigail stayed securely locked inside the armored van while I led the breach team toward the main clubhouse.
We used a thermal cutting torch to melt through the reinforced steel of the rear loading doors.
The clubhouse was eerily quiet as we navigated the opulent hallways adorned with expensive art.
We reached the subterranean level where the Fergusons kept their private, climate-controlled vault.
I planted a focused explosive charge on the locking mechanism of the massive steel door.
"Breaching in three, two, one," I counted down before triggering the detonator.
The explosion blew the heavy door entirely off its hinges, filling the hallway with thick, gray smoke.
I rushed into the vault with my weapon raised, ready to confront Nicholas and secure the real evidence.
The vault was completely empty.
There were no hard drives, no blueprints, and no millions in offshore cash.
Just a single, ringing cell phone resting on a small wooden pedestal in the center of the room.
I cautiously picked up the device and answered it.
"You are very predictable, Colonel," Gregory’s voice echoed through the line.
"While you were busy playing soldier at the country club, I paid a visit to your armored van."
My heart stopped completely.
"If you hurt my daughter, I will end you," I growled, sprinting back toward the surface.
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"I wouldn't make threats if I were you," Gregory laughed.
"Because I currently have a gun pressed directly against Abigail's head."
