Chapter 14 - The Reckoning
Marcus surfaced ten feet downstream, gasping for air, coughing up river water. He stumbled toward the bank, reaching blindly for a sidearm in his holster, but his fingers found only an empty sheath.
High above the gorge, the deep, unmistakable hum of multiple heavy military engines shattered the morning sky. Three white-and-blue Department of Homeland Security Black Hawk helicopters flared over the canyon rim, accompanied by state tactical units descending on rappel lines from the bluff.
""Federal agents! Lay down your weapons! Clear the riverbed!""
Marcus looked up into the blinding glare of half a dozen spotlights. The evidence had hit the Washington servers. The jurisdictional block was broken; Marcus was no longer the hunter, but the fugitive.
Daniel pulled himself out of the freezing water, crawling back onto the gravel where Rachel sat. She pulled him into her arms, pressing her forehead against his chest, feeling the wild, rapid rhythm of his living heartbeat.
Kane slumped against the bridge pillar, a tired, bloody smirk spreading across his beard as he watched federal marshals surround the screaming, thrashing Marcus Cole down in the shallows.
""It's over, Danny,"" Kane whispered, closing his eyes against the cold rain. ""You can come home now.""
May you like
Daniel turned, wrapping his arms around both Rachel and Ethan, pulling them into a tight circle against the damp stones. ""We're going home,"" Daniel promised, his voice cracking with tears of relief.
Then, from Kane's pocket, a tiny red diode began to flash rhythmically.
