Chapter 16 - The Trap is Set
Marcus burst into Hailey’s office, panting, a printout in his hand. "Ma'am! We got a hit on the surveillance network. Priscilla Thorne’s cell phone just pinged a tower near the Catskill Mountains. Our local contacts confirm there's activity at an old cabin owned by the Thorne family."
Hailey stood up, her eyes narrowing. "Are Jasper and Dominic there?"
"We don't know," Marcus admitted. "But the thermal imaging from our drone flight shows at least four heat signatures inside the perimeter. It’s highly likely they are using it as a temporary command base while they plan their next move against the estate."
"I'm going," Hailey said, grabbing her coat.
"Hailey, no," Finnley said, entering the room, his face etched with worry. "It’s too dangerous. It’s an open area, isolated. It has 'trap' written all over it. Let me send our tactical team first."
"If we send a full tactical team, they will see them coming from miles away and slip into the woods," Hailey argued, her voice filled with desperate determination. "They want me, Dad. If I go, accompanied by a small, elite security detail, we can catch them off guard before they realize we've bypassed their perimeter. I have to do this. I cannot live another day wondering if my son is safe in his own crib."
Finnley looked at his daughter, seeing the same unyielding strength that had built the Robertson empire. He knew he couldn't stop her.
"If you go, I go with you," Finnley said firmly. "And we take the heavy gear. We don't play by their rules anymore."
Three hours later, two black, armored SUVs sped through the winding, snow-covered roads of the upstate mountains. The sky was a heavy, dark gray, threatening a massive winter storm.
Inside the lead vehicle, Hailey checked her earpiece. "Marcus, do we still have the signal?"
"Yes, ma'am," Marcus’s voice crackled through the comms. "The ping is stable. You are five minutes away from the coordinates. Be careful, Hailey. The weather is deteriorating fast, and satellite coverage is getting spotty."
The SUVs pulled off the main road, navigating a narrow, unpaved dirt path surrounded by towering pine trees. The wind howled through the branches, kicking up clouds of white snow.
Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the front of the lead SUV.
The vehicle was lifted into the air, crashing back down onto its side with a deafening screech of tearing metal. Hailey’s head slammed against the window, her vision turning black for a second.
"Hailey! Hailey, get out!" Finnley’s voice screamed through the smoke.
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The doors of the second SUV flew open as the Robertson security guards stepped out, weapons raised. But they were immediately met with a hail of gunfire from the surrounding tree line.
Dominic’s trap had sprung.
