Chapter 8 - AMBUSH AT THE BRIDGE
The lead pursuing SUV rammed hard into their rear bumper.
The violent impact threw Leo and Lily against the front seats.
Raymond cursed loudly, grabbing his pistol from the console and firing three shots back through the shattered rear window.
The bullets sparked against the armored windshield of the chasing truck.
"Hold on!" Raymond roared, turning the steering wheel sharply toward a narrow suspension bridge over a roaring river.
The mountain road was slick with ice and torrential rain.
Up ahead, two police cruisers had blocked the middle of the bridge, their red and blue lights flashing wildly.
"They've set up a roadblock!" Lily shrieked, pointing at the police cars.
"Those aren't real cops!" Raymond yelled, pulling the emergency brake hard.
The SUV skidded sideways across the wet asphalt, stopping just feet away from the wooden bridge railing.
The three pursuing SUVs boxed them in from behind, cutting off all retreat.
A dozen armed men in black gear stepped out of their vehicles, raising heavy weapons.
Victor Sterling stepped out from the center vehicle, holding a golden-plated handgun.
He walked calmly toward their trapped SUV, completely unbothered by the heavy downpour.
"It's over, Raymond," Victor's voice projected over a loudspeaker.
"Give me my daughter, hand over the micro-drive, and I will let you die quickly."
"Never, you monster!" Raymond barked back through his open window.
"She knows what you did to her mother!"
Victor chuckled softly, a chilling sound that sent shivers through the cold air.
"Do you really think anyone will believe a traumatized, disabled child over a respected philanthropist?" Victor mocked.
"The media already knows she was kidnapped tonight by a rogue uncle and a dangerous street criminal."
"If you die on this bridge, the story ends perfectly."
Victor raised his hand to order his men to open fire.
Leo looked at Lily, then at the roaring, black river hundreds of feet below the bridge.
May you like
"Uncle Raymond..." Leo whispered, his heart pounding out of control.
"Can this truck jump that railing?"
