Chapter 10 - Safe House Protocols
The safe house was a nondescript single-story brick home hidden behind an overgrown pine grove in upstate New York. Inside, the furniture was sparse, covered in dust sheets, but the basement was fully equipped with medical supplies, satellite communications, and tactical gear.
Marcus helped Clara onto a metal examination table, working quickly with shears to cut away the bloody sleeve of her uniform. Victor sat Julian at a nearby table with a glass of water and a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.
"Drink, Julian. You're safe now," Victor said softly, running a hand through the boy’s messy hair.
Julian looked up, his eyes bright with unshed tears. "Daddy, Helena said you were going away forever. She said I had to go with the bad men so you could be free."
A sickening coldness settled in Victor's gut. Helena hadn't just plotted; she had psychologically tortured the boy before the assault. "Never, Julian. I will never leave you. Do you hear me?"
Julian nodded slowly, sipping the water.
Victor walked over to the examination table where Marcus was finishing bandaging Clara's shoulder. "Agent Vance. You want to explain what division you actually belong to?"
Clara hissed as the bandage tightened, then looked up at Victor. "Department of Justice, Special Financial Crimes. Four years ago, Sarah contacted us because she suspected Sterling Enterprises was being used as a global laundering front for Greek maritime cartels. When she got sick, she realized they were killing her. She offered me total access to her private ledger if I agreed to stay under deep cover to protect Julian."
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"Where is that ledger now?" Victor demanded.
Clara looked Victor straight in the eye. "It's coded into Julian's medical trust documents. And Cross knows it."
