Chapter 17
|
The armored SUV smashed through the chain-link gates of the private airstrip, the heavy metal shrieking as it tore apart. Emily braced herself as Carter aggressively swerved the vehicle onto the tarmac.
In the distance, the sleek white Gulfstream jet was already positioned at the end of the runway, its massive engines whining loudly as it prepared for takeoff.
"Hold on!" Carter yelled, flooring the accelerator.
The SUV rocketed down the runway, driving directly into the path of the accelerating jet. For a terrifying, breathless second, Emily thought the pilot was going to attempt to run them over. But the massive jet engines suddenly whined in reverse, the pilot slamming on the brakes. The plane skidded violently, stopping less than fifty feet from the hood of the FBI vehicle.
Dozens of heavily armed federal agents swarmed the tarmac, surrounding the aircraft. Carter drew his weapon, opening his door.
"Stay behind me, Emily," Carter ordered.
Emily stepped out of the SUV, the deafening roar of the jet engines slowly powering down. The heavy hydraulic door of the plane hissed open, lowering into a staircase.
Arthur Bennett stood at the top of the stairs, holding a sleek silver briefcase. He looked down at the sea of federal agents, his arrogant expression finally crumbling into absolute, undeniable panic.
"Arthur Bennett!" Carter shouted over a megaphone. "You are under federal arrest! Drop the briefcase and step down!"
Arthur ignored Carter. He looked directly at Emily, who was standing tall and completely unafraid behind the barricade of agents.
"You ruined me!" Arthur screamed, his voice cracking with toxic rage. "I gave you everything! I paid for your education! I built this empire for you!"
"You built a prison," Emily countered, her voice ringing clear and authoritative across the silent tarmac. "And I burned it to the ground. Walk down the stairs, Arthur. It's over."
May you like
Arthur stared at his daughter. He realized with crushing finality that he could not intimidate her, bribe her, or silence her. The invisible girl had become his executioner.
He slowly lowered the briefcase, raising his hands in defeat, and walked down the stairs into federal custody.
