Chapter 3 - Footsteps on Gravel
Marcus grabbed Sarah’s arm, his eyes wide with alarm. ""Turn off the lights. Now.""
Sarah moved instinctively, flicking the kitchen switch and plunging the room into shadows. Lily was still asleep upstairs in her crib. The low thrum of the idling SUV engines vibrated through the floorboards. Men in dark raincoats stepped out into the downpour, their movements disciplined and precise.
""Who are they, Marcus?"" Sarah hissed, shoving the soaked journal into the front pocket of her hoodie.
""Global PetroMaritime security,"" Marcus replied under his breath, peering through the curtain gap. ""David found something in the deep-sea pipeline data before the explosion—structural sabotage. The explosion wasn't an accident. They made him disappear to keep the insurance payouts and hide the leak.""
A heavy knock shook the front door. A firm, authoritative voice echoed from the porch: ""Mrs. Miller? This is Special Investigator Hayes from federal maritime affairs. Please open the door. We have updates regarding your husband's effects.""
""They don't know I came here,"" Marcus whispered. ""Take Lily out through the cellar storm door. My truck is parked half a mile down the ridge in the tree line.""
Sarah hesitated, glancing toward the staircase. ""What about you?""
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""I'll buy you five minutes,"" Marcus said, pulling a heavy wrench from his coat pocket.
Suddenly, the kitchen window shattered as a gloved hand reached through to undo the interior latch.
