Chapter 5 - Confrontation on the North Ridge
The thunderous chop of helicopter blades echoed over the tree line as Dominic reached the clearing at the top of the north ridge.
Through the pouring rain, the black helicopter lowered its landing gear onto the paved pad. Floodlights cut through the fog, throwing long shadows across the concrete.
Standing near the open door of the aircraft was Marcus Kane, holding a heavy metal briefcase containing the bearer bonds. Surrounding him were three armed guards.
Dominic stepped out from the darkness of the tree line into the bright beam of the helicopter's searchlight.
"Stand down, Marcus!" Dominic yelled over the roar of the engines.
Marcus turned, a bitter smile twisting his face. He gestured for his guards to hold their fire.
"You always were persistent, Dominic," Marcus shouted back. "Just like Thomas. Always taking what wasn't yours and pretending it was destiny."
"My father made mistakes, Marcus! But stealing from me, locking an innocent woman underground, and threatening a seven-year-old child—that makes you a monster, not a victim!"
"Elena saw what she wasn't supposed to see!" Marcus sneered, taking a step toward the helicopter. "And as for the child, she’s lucky I didn’t leave her down in that dark cell with her mother."
Dominic’s eyes narrowed. "You're not leaving this mountain."
Marcus laughed, stepping onto the skid of the helicopter. "It's over, Dominic. Look around you. You have no evidence, your estate is in dark ruins, and by morning, the board will accept my proxy signatures. You have nothing!"
At that moment, red laser dots appeared on the chests of Marcus's three mercenaries.
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From the surrounding woods, a dozen tactical officers from the State Police and federal authorities stepped out, weapons trained directly on the aircraft. Behind them came Russell Dane, holding up a satellite radio transmitter.
"The jamming frequency was disabled ten minutes ago," Russell called out. "The authorities were already on their way."
