Chapter 5 - The Cavalry in the Blizzard
Greg frowned, a flicker of genuine unease crossing his polished features. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the fact that Elena Ruiz isn't sitting in her office in Boston tonight," Daniel said, his voice echoing off the timber walls. "She's leading the State Police tactical convoy currently clearing the fallen pine trees three miles down Route 9. They heard every word you just said."
Vanessa let out a shrill scream of panic. "Greg! He's lying! Shoot him! Shoot him right now before they get here!"
Greg raised the revolver, his finger tightening convulsively on the trigger. "You shouldn't have done that, Daniel—"
CRASH.
The massive front window of the cabin exploded inward in a shower of jagged glass and frozen pine needles.
Before Greg could pivot toward the opening, a blinding wall of white light flooded the living room, accompanied by the deafening roar of a heavy-duty engine and the screaming wail of police sirens echoing up the mountain ravine.
"STATE POLICE! DROP THE WEAPON! DROP IT NOW!"
Three tactical officers in heavy snow-camouflage gear surged through the shattered window frame and the front door simultaneously, their assault rifles leveled with laser precision.
Greg froze, the revolver slipping from his fingers and clattering loudly against the wooden floorboards. He threw his hands into the air, stumbling backward into Vanessa, who collapsed onto her knees, sobbing hysterically as handcuffs were slammed onto her wrists with sharp, metallic clicks.
"Clear! Suspects secured!" an officer shouted over the howling wind.
Elena Ruiz stepped through the shattered doorway, brushing wet snow from the shoulders of her heavy winter coat. Her dark eyes swept over the chaotic room, lingering briefly on Rose, who was now being wrapped in a warm emergency thermal blanket by a female paramedic who had rushed in behind the squad.
Elena walked straight up to Daniel, her expression a mix of profound relief and simmering professional fury.
"You always did know how to pick the most dramatic case files, Daniel," Elena said, looking down at the scattered legal boxes visible through the open upstairs landing.
"It wasn't a choice, Elena," Daniel replied quietly, walking over to the sofa and scooping little Lily into his arms. The little girl buried her face in his shoulder, finally safe. "They brought the evidence right to my doorstep."
Elena turned to two state troopers standing by the door. "Take Vance and Mercer into custody. Transport them down the mountain to the regional detention facility. Make sure the digital audio logs from the AG's server are backed up as primary exhibit A."
Greg glared daggers at Daniel as the troopers hauled him toward the shattered window. "You think you've won, Cole? The trust has international loopholes you can't even imagine! My lawyers will have us out on bail by morning!"
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"Your lawyers are currently being audited by a joint federal task force for wire fraud and money laundering," Elena shot back smoothly without even looking at him. "Bail was denied before you even crossed the county line."
As Greg and Vanessa were dragged out into the blinding storm, the cabin finally grew still. The propane heater hummed softly, and the overwhelming scent of cedar and snow filled the room.
