Chapter 5 - The Trap is Sprung
The storm outside the safehouse matched the turbulence of the situation. Colonel Bennett had moved Emily to a highly secure, undisclosed military housing unit on a nearby base where civilian authorities had no jurisdiction, and where Ryan’s family could never reach her.
Emily sat by the window, watching the rain lash against the glass. Her belly was noticeably rounder now, and she could feel the gentle kicks of her baby. Despite the safety of the base, a lingering sense of dread hung over her.
"He's not going to stop, Dad," Emily said softly as her father walked into the room carrying a cup of warm tea. "Ryan is obsessed with control. He lost his job, his family's reputation is ruined, and his father has disowned him to save his own career. He has nothing left to lose."
Colonel Bennett placed the tea on the table and sat opposite her. "I know, sweetheart. That’s why we’ve set a trap."
The Colonel knew that Ryan’s narcissistic personality would prevent him from fleeing without trying to take "what was his"—which, in his twisted mind, was Emily and the baby. Through a controlled leak in their legal team, the Colonel had allowed information to slip out that Emily would be leaving the secure military base for a routine, off-site specialized medical checkup at a private clinic in downtown Chicago on Friday afternoon.
It was an irresistible bait.
Friday arrived, dark and foggy. A black SUV with tinted windows pulled out of the military base, escorted by a single unmarked security vehicle. Inside the SUV sat a decoy—a highly trained female military officer wearing Emily’s maternity coat, her head covered by a hood.
Colonel Bennett and a team of tactical officers watched the live feed from a surveillance van parked two blocks away from the medical clinic.
"Target spotted," Sergeant Miller radioed in. "A silver sedan has been tailing the transport vehicle since it left the highway. It’s Ryan."
"Do not engage yet," Colonel Bennett commanded, his eyes fixed on the monitors. "Let him make his move. We need the intent on camera."
The SUV pulled into the parking garage of the medical clinic. The decoy stepped out, walking slowly toward the elevator lobby. Suddenly, the silver sedan roared into the garage, blocking the exit.
Ryan jumped out of the driver's seat. He looked disheveled, his eyes wild and bloodshot. He was holding a heavy taser and a roll of duct tape.
"Emily!" he screamed, running toward the decoy. "You ruined my life! You’re coming with me! We’re leaving this city, and you’re going to give me my child!"
Before he could reach her, the "decoy" turned around, drawing a service weapon with lightning speed and aiming it directly at his chest.
"Federal agent! Drop the weapon and get on the ground!" she shouted.
Ryan froze, his eyes widening in shock. He turned to run back to his car, but the exit was instantly blocked by three black tactical vans. Doors flew open, and heavily armed military police and federal agents poured out, surrounding him.
"Drop to your knees! Hands behind your head!"
Ryan looked around wildly, realizing he was completely trapped. He dropped the taser, falling to his knees and weeping hysterically as officers slammed him onto the cold concrete and cuffed him.
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From the shadows of the garage, Colonel Bennett stepped out. He walked slowly up to the kneeling, defeated man.
"You thought you were a predator, Ryan," the Colonel said, looking down at him with utter disgust. "But you were just prey waiting to be caught."
