Chapter 7 - The Last Ally
We walked through the muddy woods until dawn broke over the horizon.
We finally reached a desolate highway and managed to hitch a ride in the back of a farmer's pickup truck.
I knew there was only one person left in this country who owed me a blood debt.
Judge Thomas Vance was a federal magistrate whose life I had saved during a cartel hit ten years ago.
I used a stolen burner phone at a gas station to call his private, unlisted number.
"Vance, it is the ghost from Miami," I said when he finally answered.
Vance let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"I heard the chatter on the secure networks, Marcus, they say you went rogue and kidnapped your daughter," Vance warned.
"Richard bought the agency, Vance, I need federal protection and a secure transport out of the state," I demanded.
"Meet me at the old steel mill on Route 9 in exactly one hour," Vance instructed before hanging up.
We stole a rusted sedan from the gas station parking lot and drove toward the rendezvous.
The steel mill was massive, rusted, and completely abandoned.
I parked the car in the shadows and left Lily hidden in the backseat.
I walked into the massive warehouse, my pistol drawn and ready.
Judge Vance's luxury town car was parked in the center of the concrete floor.
I cautiously approached the vehicle, noticing the driver's door was wide open.
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I looked inside and saw Judge Vance slumped over the steering wheel, a single bullet hole in his forehead.
Before I could react, the massive steel doors of the warehouse slammed shut, locking me inside.
