Chapter 12 - The Iron Compact
The black waters of Elliott Bay slowly calmed as the sun climbed above the Seattle skyline. Julian Vance knelt in zip-ties on the wet timber of the pier, guarded by Tristan, whose finger remained resting on the trigger guard.
Leo joined them, limping slightly, his laptop tucked beneath his arm. ""The harbor police frequencies are jammed, but we only have about fifteen minutes before the Coast Guard responds to the distress beacon.""
Clara stood between Cole and Elena, staring at the shattered harbor. She looked down at her grease-stained hands, then at the two men and woman who shared her blood. ""All this time... my life was a lie? My parents weren't dockworkers who died in a ferry accident?""
""They were,"" Cole said gently, his deep voice carrying no trace of the violence from minutes before. ""They were our father’s most loyal friends. They raised you because Dad knew that being a Montgomery was a death sentence for anyone who couldn't defend themselves.""
""And now?"" Clara asked, lifting her chin. ""Am I supposed to run away with you?""
""No,"" Elena said, stepping forward and taking Clara’s trembling hands into her own. ""We’re done running. Julian’s family built their empire on forged documents, extortion, and our father’s silence. It ends today.""
Leo opened the encrypted drive on his screen. ""Julian’s father, Victor Vance, is hosting the annual Pacific Maritime Summit at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in four hours. Every city official, judge, and foreign shipping executive under their payroll will be in the grand ballroom. If we present the authentic charter documents there, Victor’s legal hold on the port collapses instantly.""
""And if they try to shoot their way out?"" Tristan asked, a cold smirk touching his lips.
""They will,"" Cole said. ""Which is why we aren't going as guests. We’re going as an eviction notice.""
Clara looked back at the small office where she had spent the last five years of her life. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her brass locker key, and tossed it into the bay.
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""I know the underground freight tunnels that connect the docks to the downtown hotels,"" Clara said, her voice steady and resolute. ""They were built during Prohibition. Victor Vance’s security won't even know we’re beneath them.""
Cole looked at his youngest sister, seeing the unbreakable fire in her eyes. ""Show us the way.""
