Chapter 19 - Battle on the North Lawn
Heavy rain misted through the dark oak trees as Richard moved silently across the foggy north lawn.
He wore dark tactical gear, using night-vision goggles to scan the tree line near the breached perimeter fence.
Three shadowy figures carrying tactical flashlights and silenced pistols were advancing stealthily toward the house.
They were professional mercenaries hired by Victor to retrieve Eleanor's secondary financial ledgers hidden in the wall safe.
Richard maneuvered behind a large stone fountain, waiting until the lead intruder stepped into the open moonlight.
With lightning-fast military precision, Richard lunged from the shadows, disarming the first intruder with a lethal strike.
The second intruder raised his weapon, but Richard swept his legs, slamming him hard onto the damp turf.
The third mercenary attempted to flee back toward the fence, but two estate security guards intercepted him with tasers.
Within three minutes, all three intruders were disarmed, zip-tied, and pinned to the wet grass.
Richard knelt beside the lead intruder, removing his tactical mask.
"Who sent you?" Richard demanded, his voice colder than the autumn rain.
The mercenary spit blood onto the grass, coughing bitterly.
"Check the yacht at Stamford... Victor is leaving the country at midnight with the boy's original birth trust records!" the man confessed.
Richard stood up, turning to his lead guard.
"Hold these men for the FBI. I'm going to the Stamford Marina."
Maria ran out from the house porch, wrapping a dark coat around herself.
"Richard, wait! You can't go alone!" Maria shouted.
"I have to end this tonight, Maria, for good," Richard insisted, jumping into his dark SUV.
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"Then I'm coming with you," Maria said fiercely, hopping into the passenger seat before he could object.
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