Chapter 11 - The Counter-Strike
""Premeditation,"" Mark muttered, holding the flash drive tightly. ""She planned the incident, called the transport crew in advance, and then staged the domestic call when I caught her in the act."" Tom nodded. ""It proves malicious intent and false reporting, but local courts won't look at it while Vance controls the docket. The county judge plays golf with Ashley's father. You have to bypass the county entirely. You need federal jurisdiction.""
Frank walked over to the office safe, spinning the combination dial with rapid, practiced movements. He swung the heavy steel door open and pulled out a manila envelope containing a thick stack of hundred-dollar bills and a key with a brass tag. ""There’s a federal magistrate named Kathryn Hayes in the capital district,"" Frank said, setting the envelope on the desk. ""Ten years ago, she prosecuted institutional child trafficking. She hates Arthur Vance’s political machine with a passion. If you put the forged transfer papers, the dispatch logs, and Lily’s medical records on her desk, she can issue a federal emergency stay.""
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""The capital is a three-hour drive,"" Mark said, checking his watch. It was 7:15 AM. ""If the state police put out an amber alert, I won't make it past the toll plazas."" Tom shook his head. ""They haven't issued an Amber Alert yet because they'd have to prove Lily is in physical danger from you, which their own falsified report contradicts. They only have a misdemeanor custody warrant. But Vance’s private extraction team has no legal boundaries. They’re driving unmarked SUVs and scanning the main arteries.""
Lily walked out of the back office, her small hands holding her teddy bear against her chest. She looked up at the three men, sensing the heavy gravity in the room. ""Daddy, are we leaving again?"" she asked softly. Mark walked over and scooped her up into his arms, kissing her temple. ""Just one more drive, Lily. We're going to see a judge who is going to make sure no one ever scares you again."" Frank tossed the keys of his personal unmarked heavy-duty diesel truck to Mark. ""Take mine. It’s got blacked-out glass and state commercial plates. They’ll be looking for old wagons and family sedans. Move now.""
