Chapter 5 - The School Yard Threat
Marcus’s confession echoed off the glass walls of the boardroom.
He had committed massive corporate treason by selling Horizon Dynamics' classified prototypes.
"You are going to federal prison for corporate espionage, Marcus," I told him without a shred of pity.
"I am not going anywhere, because I planted the stolen prototype inside Daniel's backpack this morning," he laughed.
My heart completely stopped in my chest.
He hadn't kidnapped Daniel from the school to steal him; he had gone there to turn my seven-year-old into a drug mule for stolen tech.
"If the police arrest me, they will track the GPS locator on the prototype straight to your sweet little boy," Marcus sneered.
"They will arrest you for international smuggling, and Daniel will go straight into foster care," he added maliciously.
I pulled out my phone and dialed my head of security again.
"Where is my son?" I demanded the moment the line connected.
"We intercepted Marcus at the school gate, Ms. Vance, but he managed to slip a package into Daniel's bag before we grabbed him," the security chief reported.
"Daniel is safe in our armored vehicle, but local police have just surrounded us," he warned.
I glared down at Marcus, who was still kneeling on the boardroom carpet with a wicked grin.
"You tipped off the police to intercept my son," I realized out loud.
"Of course I did," Marcus admitted proudly.
"I told them a dangerous syndicate leader was using a child to transport stolen microchips," he said.
I turned to Mr. Vance, the CEO who was watching the scene in silent horror.
"Lock down this building and do not let my brother leave this room," I ordered the CEO.
I sprinted to the elevator and rode it down to the lobby, my mind racing with terrifying possibilities.
I jumped back into my old car and drove dangerously fast toward Daniel's elementary school.
When I arrived, the street was completely blocked by five flashing police cruisers.
My private security team had formed a human wall around their armored SUV to protect my son.
A police captain with a bullhorn was screaming for my men to stand down.
I ran past the police barricade, ignoring the officers who tried to grab my arms.
"That is my son in that car!" I yelled at the police captain.
The captain looked at me with cold, unforgiving eyes.
"Ma'am, we received an anonymous tip that a stolen military-grade prototype is inside your child's backpack," the captain stated.
"We have a warrant to search the bag, and if we find the tech, you are both going to federal prison," he threatened.
My security chief slowly handed Daniel's small superhero backpack to the police captain.
The captain unzipped the bag and reached his hand deep inside.
He pulled out a heavy, metallic device wrapped in black tape.
A glowing red light blinked ominously on the side of the stolen prototype.
"Place her under arrest," the captain ordered, and two officers aggressively grabbed my wrists.
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Before they could lock the handcuffs, my security chief cleared his throat loudly.
"Captain, you might want to look at the name engraved on the back of that device," my security chief suggested calmly.
