Chapter 7 - THE TASK FORCE ARRIVES
Solokov froze, his cruel smile vanishing in an instant.
From the dark upper rafters of the timber mill, the low, rhythmic hum of multiple heavy military helicopters began to vibrate through the wooden structure. High-powered floodlights slammed through the shattered roof panels, blinding the mercenaries below with blinding white light.
"FEDERAL TASK FORCE! DROP YOUR WEAPONS IMMEDIATELY!" a voice thundered from above through a heavy PA system.
"What?!" Solokov gasped, stepping back as his mercenaries panicked, raising their weapons toward the ceiling.
Sarah stepped out of the shadows, holding up her smartphone. The screen displayed a green confirmation bar: DATA TRANSMISSION COMPLETE. FEDERAL WARRANT ISSUED.
"I didn't wait until we reached Ontario to send the ledger, Solokov," Sarah said, her voice filled with quiet victory. "The boat’s satellite uplink transmitted the entire database ten minutes ago while you were chasing us across the reef."
"Shoot her!" Solokov screamed at his men.
Andrew dropped from the secondary gantry onto the nearest mercenary, disarming him in a fluid motion and taking him down to the floor.
Simultaneously, tactical assault teams descended down fast-ropes from the hovering helicopters, smashing through the upper windows of the mill. Flashbang grenades detonated across the lower floor in a series of deafening concussive pops and blinding flashes.
The battle was swift and absolute.
Within ninety seconds, Solokov’s mercenaries were disarmed, pinned to the floor, and zip-tied by heavily armed federal agents.
Solokov himself was slammed against a heavy wooden support beam, his pristine charcoal coat torn, his wrists clamped in heavy steel handcuffs by the lead federal agent—Director Marcus Vance, Andrew’s estranged older brother who headed the International Maritime Crime Division.
Marcus turned to Andrew, wiping rain from his face, a rare, relieved smile breaking across his weathered face. "You took your sweet time calling me, little brother."
"Sarah had it handled," Andrew said, stepping over to Sarah and pulling her into his arms.
Marcus looked at Sarah, offering a respectful nod. "Welcome back from the dead, Sarah. The evidence you sent just initiated forty-two simultaneous raids across six countries. Solokov’s entire network is being dismantled as we speak."
Solokov was dragged past them, his face twisted in pure hatred as he glared at Sarah. "You destroyed everything..."
Sarah met his gaze without a single trace of fear. "You destroyed yourself the moment you touched my family."
The mill was suddenly filled with the warm, reassuring chatter of federal agents securing the perimeter. Andrew walked back to the stack of oak timbers, pulling Leo, Maya, and Emma out into the light.
The children looked at the federal badges, then at their father, and finally at Sarah.
"Is it over, Mom?" young Leo asked softly.
May you like
Sarah dropped to her knees, gathering all three children into her arms, pressing her face into their soft hair as tears of profound relief finally spilled down her cheeks.
"Yes, my baby," Sarah whispered, her heart overflowing. "The night is over. We’re finally going home."
