Chapter 8 - The Ransom Call
Ethan arrived at the mansion five minutes later, finding state police cruisers already surrounding the perimeter with flashing red lights.
He stormed into his private study, tearing through desk drawers until he found a GPS tracking device paired to Lily's shoes.
Special Agent Jenkins arrived with a tactical FBI team, setting up digital tracking equipment on Ethan's primary landline.
At 4:15 PM, the phone rang loudly, echoing across the tense room filled with federal agents and surveillance tech.
Ethan pressed the speaker button, signaling the FBI technicians to initiate the signal trace instantly.
"I want forty million dollars transferred to my account in Zurich by midnight, Ethan," Veronica demanded without greeting him.
"Let me speak to my daughter right now, Veronica!" Ethan demanded, his voice trembling with restrained, explosive rage.
"You don't make demands anymore, Ethan," Veronica spat back. "Drop the cash transfer or you'll receive her pink t-shirt in the mail."
"Signal locked!" the lead FBI technician whispered, pointing at a map marker flashing red near the Port of Newark, New Jersey.
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"I'll give you the money, Veronica," Ethan lied smoothly. "Just meet me at the shipping terminal in two hours."
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