Chapter 7 - The Decoy
The realization hit me like a physical blow to the chest.
The private jet was nothing more than an expensive, elaborate decoy to waste the FBI's crucial time.
"David is terrified of flying," I suddenly remembered, recalling a random conversation from a family dinner years ago.
He would never attempt to flee the country on a small aircraft, no matter how desperate the situation.
I desperately racked my brain, trying to think of where a paranoid billionaire would hide a kidnapped infant.
"He has a secret hunting cabin in the Appalachian Mountains," I told Ms. Vance, grabbing her arm.
He used the heavily fortified cabin for illegal, off-the-books meetings with corrupt politicians.
The FBI quickly redirected their strike team, loading us into a tactical helicopter to cover the distance.
A sudden, violent thunderstorm erupted as we flew over the dense mountain range.
Lightning flashed across the dark sky, illuminating the treacherous peaks below us.
The helicopter was forced to land several miles away from the cabin due to the severe weather conditions.
We had to hike the rest of the way through the thick, muddy forest in the pouring rain.
My surgical wound began to bleed, soaking through my bandages and staining my clothes.
"Emily, you need to stop and wait for the medics," Sarah begged, supporting my weight.
"I am not stopping until my son is in my arms," I gritted my teeth, pushing through the agonizing pain.
We finally reached the edge of the tree line, spotting the massive, log-style cabin glowing warmly in the dark.
The federal agents silently surrounded the perimeter, signaling for us to stay low.
I crept toward the large picture window, peering cautiously through the rain-streaked glass.
Inside, David was pacing furiously back and forth, holding a beautiful, antique wooden bassinet.
He was screaming into his cell phone, his face red with uncontrollable rage.
"You idiot, you brought the federal government right to my doorstep," David roared at the person on the phone.
I strained to hear the rest of the conversation over the roaring thunder.
"I don't care about your inheritance anymore, I am taking the boy and leaving you behind," David threatened.
May you like
He was talking to Michael, his own son.
Michael had secretly betrayed his father, trying to steal the baby and the trust fund money all for himself.
