Chapter 8 - The Ledger’s Cipher
Deep inside the waterproof packet, beneath the forged will and the mechanical sabotage receipts, Marcus unfolded a small, handwritten letter written in Sophia’s elegant script. It had remained concealed between the double-layered parchment of the original title deed.
To Marcus, the letter read. If you are reading this, Victoria has taken everything. She thinks the vault at the docks is hers, but the key is with the shepherd at St. Jude’s. Trust Nathan. Protect our daughter.
“St. Jude’s,” Frank whispered, leaning over Marcus’s shoulder. “The decommissioned parish near the old harbor.”
“Father Thomas used to run youth shelters with Sophia before the church was closed,” Marcus said, securing the child carrier snugly. “If Cross is alive, that’s where he’d be waiting.”
Lily reached up, her small fingers touching Marcus’s jawline. “Mommy’s church?”
Marcus’s heart tightened. Sophia had brought Lily there when she was barely an infant, praying for a peaceful life far from the ruthless corporate machinations of the Sterling empire.
“Yes, baby. Mommy’s church,” Marcus answered softly.
Suddenly, a loud metallic thud sounded from the catwalk directly above them. A red laser dot painted the wet concrete floor just inches from Frank’s boots.
“Move!” Marcus barked.
A burst of automatic gunfire tore through the maintenance locker, chewing through the steel shelves and shattering the wood panels behind them. Marcus pulled Frank around the concrete pillar, using the massive bridge support as cover.
Above, two tactical operatives in full combat gear descended down the steel access ladder, their weapon-mounted lights carving through the mist.
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Marcus didn’t have room to engage in a prolonged firefight with Lily strapped to his chest. He turned toward the narrow mooring dock where a municipal patrol skiff sat moored in the shadows.
“Get the engine turning, Frank! I’ll suppress!” Marcus ordered, drawing the sidearm he had retrieved from the supply cache.
