Chapter 17 - Total War
Though the flash drive was lost in the ocean, the federal raid on Julian’s mansion yielded secondary server backups that Vance had forgotten to erase in his arrogance.
Three days later, the Department of Justice formally indicted Julian Vance on thirty-four counts of racketeering, attempted murder, state-sponsored terrorism, and first-degree homicide for the death of Detective Vance and Elena’s father.
Mark sat in the hospital room beside Elena’s bed as she recovered from shoulder surgery. Maya and Lily were fast asleep on the sofa, clutching their stuffed animals, their small faces finally free from the shadow of terror that had haunted them for weeks.
Federal agents stood guard outside the door, but this time, they were there to protect survivors, not hide targets.
Elena reached out, taking Mark’s hand into hers. Her skin was warm, her grip strong and steady. "The doctor says we can go home next week, Mark. A real home. Far away from here."
"Wherever you want to go," Mark smiled softly, kissing her knuckles. "Montana, Maine, anywhere with blue skies and quiet woods."
May you like
"No more hiding," she whispered.
"No more hiding," Mark agreed.
