Chapter 6 - The Chief’s Arrival
Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder by the second. But these weren't military sirens. They were the familiar, high-pitched wails of the local police department.
A black-and-white cruiser slid sideways onto the gravel driveway, kicking up dust and gravel. The driver’s door flew open, and a heavy-set man in a pristine police uniform stepped out, resting his hand casually on the butt of his sidearm.
Chief Vance.
“Well, well,” Vance drawled, scanning the burning carriage house and then looking down at me and the terrified housekeeper. “Looks like an unfortunate electrical fire. Step away from the property, ma’am. You’re trespassing on private estate grounds.”
I slowly stood up, letting my jacket slip back to reveal the full array of medals and my colonel insignia gleaming under the amber glow of the flames.
“Chief Vance, I presume?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm.
He squinted at my uniform, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “Colonel Gardner. You’re way out of your jurisdiction. This is a local municipal matter.”
“Is it?” I stepped forward, closing the distance between us. “Because arson, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice under federal interstate commerce laws tend to cross a few lines.”
Vance’s hand drifted closer to his holster. “I’m giving you one warning. Hand over whatever that girl is holding, get in your vehicle, and leave this county. Or you’ll find yourself booked for arson and trespassing.”
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The housekeeper clutched the charred ledger tighter, trembling uncontrollably behind me. Chief Vance signaled, and two local patrol cars rolled up behind his cruiser, four armed officers stepping out with their hands on their weapons.
The standoff was absolute. We were completely outnumbered by a corrupted local force.
