Chapter 12
Julian rushed back inside, finding Margaret calmly arranging flowers in the kitchen vase. "Margaret, pack a bag immediately; we are leaving for the Connecticut safehouse within the hour," Julian commanded urgently.
Margaret dropped her pruning shears onto the marble counter, turning to look at Julian with profound confusion. "What is happening, Julian? I thought Senator Sterling was behind bars," Margaret asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Julian handed her the black-and-white photograph of her walking in Central Park just moments ago. Margaret’s eyes widened in horror as she stared at the image, her hands flying up to cover her mouth.
"They aren't finished yet, Margaret; someone from the syndicate is still loose and tracking our every move," Julian explained grimly. Without another word, Margaret hurried upstairs to pack her belongings while Julian contacted federal protection services.
Federal Prosecutor Miller answered his encrypted line on the first ring, listening intently as Julian detailed the new threat. "We liquidated Sterling’s inner circle, Julian, but intelligence suggests a rogue private security firm was running their wet-work operations," Miller warned.
"Find them before they find us, Miller, because I will protect my family by any means necessary," Julian stated coldly. "We're dispatching a tactical unit to your penthouse right now to escort you both to a secure federal bunker," Miller confirmed.
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Julian hung up the phone, grabbing his leather folder and securing his personal firearm from his executive safe. As he walked toward the front hallway, the apartment's smart home system suddenly malfunctioned with a loud electronic screech.
All the smart locks simultaneously clicked open, and the interior security lights flickered out into absolute darkness.
