Chapter 7 - Arthur's Debt
Elena crawled to Arthur's side. The older man was pale, his breath catching in his throat. ""Broken rib,"" he grunted between clenched teeth. ""Can still move.""
""We can't outrun those trucks on foot,"" Elena whispered, watching the flashlight beams dance along the ridge above.
""We don't need to outrun them,"" Arthur said, reaching into his pocket and pressing a small brass key into her palm. ""You need to reach the river. Three miles down this ravine is an old bait house. Behind it is a skiff with an outboard motor. That key unlocks the ignition.""
""I am not leaving you,"" Elena said fiercely.
""Listen to me, Elena!"" Arthur hissed, gripping her wrist with surprising strength. ""I stood by while Julian's father ruined your family. I watched them plant the explosives in your father's car, and I kept my mouth shut because I had a pension to protect. I am not letting his boy murder you, too.""
Elena stared at him, the weight of his guilt and resolve crashing over her.
""Go to the river,"" Arthur ordered. ""Take the river south across the state border. Reach District Attorney Miller in Riverdale. Give him this.""
He pulled a thumb drive from beneath the lining of his formal coat. ""The complete financial ledger of Project Cerberus. Every murder, every bribe, every stolen asset.""
Before Elena could protest, Arthur stepped out into the open, firing three rapid shots toward the ridge. The muzzle flashes lit the night.
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""Over here, you bastards!"" Arthur bellowed, drawing the searchlights directly toward himself.
Elena clamped her jaw shut, tears burning her eyes, and turned to sprint down the ravine toward the roaring water. A flurry of gunfire erupted behind her, followed by a heavy silence.
