Chapter 8 - THE ESCAPE
A sleek black police launch slammed against the wooden pilings of the dock, its blue strobes flashing violently against the gray sky.
State troopers poured over the sides of the vessel, weapons drawn and raised.
"State Police! Drop your weapons! Hands on your heads now!" an officer shouted through a bullhorn from the deck of the boat.
The three men hired by Richard froze, looking frantically between the police launch and the thick woods behind them.
Marcus didn't hesitate for a single second.
He lunged forward, tackling the armed man closest to him to the wooden floor, disarming him in one fluid motion.
The remaining two guards dropped their weapons immediately, raising their hands into the air as troopers flooded the boathouse.
Richard stumbled back toward the water, his face pale as paper, realization dawning on him that his career, his freedom, and his life were effectively over.
Lily held Mia close to her chest, shielding the little girl's eyes as the troopers restrained Richard and his mercenaries.
Marcus stood up, dusting off his jacket, and turned to Lily with a slight, professional nod.
"I took the liberty of alerting the state prosecutor’s office the moment your phone signal moved toward the lake," Marcus explained calmly.
"We knew Eleanor would take the bait."
Lily let out a long, shaky breath, looking down at the heavy brass key still held tight in her right hand.
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"The bank in Chicago closes in two hours," Lily said, her determination restored.
"Let's go finish this."
