Chapter 8 - The Fugitive
Mark scrambled out of the smoking vehicle onto the wet highway asphalt.
The two transport guards were knocked unconscious in the front cabin.
An unmarked black SUV was idling near the guardrail.
"Get in!" the driver shouted, holding the passenger door open.
Mark hesitated for a brief second.
If he ran now, he would be a hunted fugitive.
His life as he knew it would be completely over.
"If you get arrested again, your daughters die, Mark!" the driver yelled.
That was all Mark needed to hear.
He lunged into the passenger seat of the black SUV.
The driver slammed his foot onto the gas pedal.
The SUV sped away into the stormy night, leaving the burning wreck behind.
Mark breathed heavily, clutching his bruised shoulder.
He looked at the driver.
The man was in his late fifties, with grey hair and a scar across his left cheek.
"My name is Marcus," the driver said without looking away from the road.
"I used to head security for your father's firm," Marcus added.
"Why are you helping me?" Mark asked, trying to catch his breath.
Marcus reached into his coat and pulled out a small keycard and an address paper.
He threw them into Mark's lap.
"Because ten years ago, I didn't stop them from killing your father," Marcus said grimly.
"I won't let them kill you too."
"Where are my daughters, Marcus?" Mark asked desperately.
"Sarah didn't put them in state custody," Marcus revealed.
"She bribed the CPS agents you saw at your house."
"They took Lily and Emma to a private compound in the woods upstate," Marcus said.
Mark's blood ran ice-cold.
"A private compound?" Mark repeated.
"It's owned by a shell company controlled by Judge Vance," Marcus explained.
"They're keeping them locked away until the trust money transfers next week."
Mark gripped the keycard tightly in his hand.
"Then take me there right now," Mark demanded.
Marcus looked at Mark through the rearview mirror.
"You don't even have a weapon, Mark," Marcus said coldly.
May you like
"And that compound is guarded by armed professionals."
"If you go there now, you'll just get yourself killed."
