Chapter 12 - The Wall of Steel
The Coast Guard cutter’s spotlights swept violently across the armada of fishing vessels. The loudspeaker boomed again, the commander’s voice tense and strained: Identify yourselves! You are obstructing a federal investigation! Stand down or you will be boarded!
Over the marine radio, Captain Henderson of the lobster boat Iron Maiden answered coolly: ""Apologies, Commander. We have engine trouble and heavy drift in the fog. Navigating blind out here. Suggest you maintain a safe distance of five hundred yards.""
As the patrol cutter attempted to maneuver around the perimeter, two large trawlers swung their sterns wide, neatly cutting off the patrol vessel's approach without making direct contact. Caleb seized the distraction, slipping The Sea Wraith through the shallow tidal flats of Dorchester Bay, where the heavy government cutter could never follow without running aground.
""We’re entering the Old Navy Yard,"" Caleb announced, throttling down. ""Arthur Sterling’s private security won't look for us here. It’s decommissioned.""
They bumped softly against the weathered pilings of Pier 4. Waiting in the shadows of an empty warehouse stood a beat-up cargo van, its hazard lights flashing rhythmically. A woman in a dark business suit stepped out into the rain.
""Eleanor!"" Clara gasped, recognizing the woman. ""Is that Sarah Jenkins?""
Eleanor nodded, relief flooding her chest. Sarah had been Eleanor's personal estate attorney and closest friend before Julian had systematically isolated Eleanor from her inner circle over the past three years.
They disembarked quickly, Caleb covering Liam with his heavy raincoat. Sarah rushed forward, embracing Eleanor carefully to avoid the wounded shoulder.
""Eleanor, thank God you’re alive,"" Sarah whispered urgently, opening the van’s side door for them. ""Julian has filed emergency probate papers with Judge Harrison—one of Sterling’s pocket judges. The hearing to declare you legally deceased and liquidate the Vance Family Trust is set for ten o’clock this morning at the State Financial Center.""
Eleanor checked her watch. It was 8:45 AM.
""We have seventy-five minutes,"" Eleanor said, climbing into the van and pulling Liam onto her lap. ""Sarah, do you still have access to the original biometric registry from the private clinic where Leo was born?""
Sarah smiled, pulling an encrypted tablet from her leather briefcase. ""I never destroyed the records Julian asked me to purge. The original newborn footprint scans and blood profile are right here. All we need is a certified laboratory match.""
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""We don't have time for a full lab run,"" Clara said, leaning forward.
""We don't need one,"" Eleanor said, her eyes burning with resolute coldness. ""We are going to walk straight into that boardroom and deliver the proof in front of the entire board of trustees.""
