Chapter 5 - Temporary Freedom
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Ten minutes later, we were escorted out through the basement loading dock of the Cook County Courthouse to avoid the swarming media trucks parked out front.
A black, armored military SUV pulled up to the curb, idling softly. The driver’s side door opened, and Sergeant First Class Thomas Vance—my second-in-command from my special operations unit—stepped out, wearing full combat fatigues.
"Commander," Vance said, saluting sharply before opening the rear door for us. "The transport is secured. The perimeter is clear."
"Thanks, Vance," I said, helping Ethan into the back seat before sliding in beside him.
As the heavy SUV pulled out into the busy Chicago traffic, Ethan leaned his head against the reinforced glass window, watching the city buildings pass by in a blur.
"Where are we going, Maddie?" he asked softly. "Can we go back to the house to get my things?"
"No, Ethan," I replied firmly but gently. "The main house is currently sealed by federal agents executing a search warrant. We're heading to a secure military holding facility outside the city until the task force finishes processing the evidence."
"Are Mom and Dad really going to prison?"
I took a deep breath, looking at his innocent face. "If the federal prosecutor presents half of what Agent Vance showed the judge, they won't be coming out for a very long time."
Ethan stayed silent for a moment, tracing a pattern on his jeans. "I'm not sad," he whispered, his voice cracking slightly. "Is that bad? I feel like I should be crying, but... I just feel like I can finally breathe."
I pulled him into a tight side hug, burying my face in his hair. "You don't have to feel guilty, kiddo. They were supposed to protect you, not use you."
Sergeant Vance checked his rearview mirror, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Commander, we’ve got a problem."
I snapped back into operational mode instantly. "Talk to me, Vance."
"Black sedan, blacked-out glass, no license plates," Vance reported smoothly, pointing to the reflection in his mirror. "It came out of the court alley right behind us. It’s been matching our speed for eight blocks."
I turned slightly in my seat, peering through the tinted rear window. A sleek Audi sedan was tailing us at a distance of fifty yards, maintaining perfect tactical positioning.
"They're tailing us," I observed, reaching down to unlatch the safety harness on my M210 rifle case. "Ethan, get down on the floorboards between the seats. Right now."
Ethan didn't hesitate. He dropped to the floor, curling into a tight ball.
"Vance, break off the main highway route," I ordered calmly. "Take us down the industrial corridor on 35th Street. Let's see if they follow."
"Copy that, Commander," Vance said, slamming his foot onto the accelerator.
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The armored SUV roared to life, shooting down the exit ramp toward the deserted warehouse district.
Behind us, the black sedan accelerated sharply, tires screeching against the asphalt as it followed us directly into the dark.
