Chapter 7 - The Midnight Runway
Pierce stood in the center of the terrace, the cold wind whipping his silver hair. He held the driver’s phone, reading the coordinates for Private Hangar 4 at Le Bourget Airport.
Commissioner Laurent had sprinted up the stairs upon hearing the commotion. When the officer saw the shattered glass, the armed intruder on the floor, and the GPS tracker, every trace of doubt vanished from his face.
""Attempted kidnapping and home invasion,"" Laurent said darkly, unclipping his handcuffs and snapping them onto the driver. ""The magistrate's custody alert is officially suspended.""
""I don't just want it suspended,"" Pierce said, staring directly into Laurent’s eyes. ""I want Derek Vance intercepted before his jet leaves French airspace.""
""Le Bourget is outside our district jurisdiction,"" Laurent warned. ""By the time we coordinate with airport border control, his private charter will have cleared the runway.""
""Then I will ground it myself,"" Pierce replied.
He turned to Claire. Her eyes were red, but the trembling had stopped. A fierce, protective maternal instinct had hardened her demeanor.
""Stay here with Marcus and four armed guards,"" Pierce commanded.
""No,"" Claire said firmly, standing up with Leo wrapped securely in a sling against her chest. ""I’m coming with you. He stole my life, Dad. I want him to look me in the eye when he falls.""
Pierce looked at his daughter, recognizing the unbreakable Sterling resolve coursing through her veins. He nodded once. ""Let's go.""
Ten minutes later, Pierce’s convoy of three black SUVs tore through the northern ring road toward Le Bourget, sirens blaring and flashing red lights cutting through the thick fog.
In the lead vehicle, Pierce tapped his tablet, routing a priority call to the Director of Civil Aviation.
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""This is Pierce Sterling. Close Runway Two at Le Bourget immediately. Any aircraft attempting takeoff without my authorization is carrying stolen sovereign assets.""
On the dashboard screen, the radar display tracked Derek's chartered Gulfstream warming up its engines on the tarmac.
