Chapter 9 - The Dead-Man Switch
Alejandro stopped dead in his tracks, his arrogant smile completely vanishing from his pale face.
He stared intensely at the small black flash drive resting firmly in my hand.
"You are bluffing, old man," Alejandro sneered, though his voice lacked its previous absolute confidence.
"This drive is currently connected to a dead-man switch on my personal server," I lied with perfect, unwavering conviction.
I explained that if my heart rate monitor stopped, the server would instantly mass-email the ledger to every federal agency.
The ledger contained the exact locations of his hidden drug labs, offshore accounts, and corrupt politicians.
The cartel mercenaries suddenly looked at each other in sheer, undeniable panic.
Alejandro's entire criminal empire would be completely dismantled in less than five minutes if he killed me.
"Let my friend go, get back in your helicopter, and never look for this boy again," I demanded fiercely.
Alejandro gritted his teeth in pure fury, realizing he was completely outmaneuvered by a desperate grandfather.
He aggressively nodded his head, signaling his heavily armed men to release Thomas immediately.
The mercenaries shoved Thomas violently onto the snow and backed away toward the waiting aircraft.
Alejandro climbed into the helicopter, glaring at me with a promise of future violence in his dark eyes.
The chopper lifted rapidly into the freezing night sky and disappeared completely into the dark clouds.
I rushed forward and helped Thomas to his feet, thanking God that he was still miraculously alive.
Suddenly, dozens of police sirens wailed loudly in the distance, growing rapidly closer by the second.
The real federal authorities had finally tracked the helicopter's illegal airspace violation directly to our location.
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Dozens of armored tactical vehicles violently breached the parking lot gates, completely securing the entire area.
An honest, uncorrupted FBI director stepped out of an armored car and approached us with a warm blanket.
