Chapter 9 - THE TACTICAL ESCORT
The heavy oak doors burst inward, showering the foyer with wood splinters and smoke.
Four men clad in tactical black uniforms, carrying submachine guns, charged through the haze. "Nobody move! Drop your weapons!"
"This is an official court proceeding!" Captain Miller yelled, firing a warning shot into the ceiling.
Before the mercenaries could raise their rifles, the massive glass windows along the outer wall of the chambers shattered into a million sparkling fragments.
"STATE POLICE! DROP YOUR WEAPONS!"
A sleek, blue-and-silver State Tactical Response helicopter hovered directly outside the third-story window. Through the shattered frame, four heavily armed State Troopers rappelled into the room, flashbangs detonating in a blinding flash of white light and thunderous sound.
The mercenaries were tackled to the floor within seconds, their weapons kicked away as plastic zip-ties snapped around their wrists.
Commander Harris of the State Troopers stepped through the smoke, pulling off his tactical helmet. He walked straight to Eleanor and gave a crisp salute.
"Judge Vance. The Governor has personally authorized an emergency protective detail for you and your family. The State Attorney General’s squad is currently raiding Judge Sterling’s office and the First National Bank headquarters."
Eleanor nodded sharply. "Thank you, Commander. But my granddaughter needs an emergency medical transfer to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital immediately. Her bone marrow donor is standing right beside me."
Commander Harris turned to David, eyeing his orange jumpsuit, then gave a respectful nod. "The medical transport helicopter is waiting on the courthouse roof, sir. Let's get your daughter to the hospital."
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David looked at Eleanor, tears brimming in his eyes. For twenty-six years, he had been hunted and discarded by the world. Now, standing under the protection of state troopers, he finally felt the power of a mother’s love.
"Go, David," Eleanor whispered, squeezing his hand tightly. "Save our girl. I will handle the snakes."
