Chapter 10
Chloe didn't panic; she calmly turned away from the beach path and walked toward the local Coast Guard station. The heavy wooden door creaked open as she stepped inside, seeking immediate federal jurisdiction and protection.
The duty officer, a weathered veteran named Chief Petty Officer Miller, looked up from his communications console. "Evening, ma'am, what can the Coast Guard do for you out here in Osprey Cove?" Miller asked politely.
"I need to report an unregistered surveillance vehicle parked at the cliff overlook with hostile intent," Chloe stated clearly. Miller’s expression turned serious instantly; he picked up his radio headset and dispatched a local patrol unit.
Within minutes, flashing red and blue lights illuminated the foggy cliffside as local deputies converged on the black SUV. The vehicle slammed on its brakes, executing a reckless U-turn before speeding away down the winding coastal highway.
Deputies gave chase, but the suspect vehicle vanished into the thick mountain fog of the Redwood National Forest. Miller offered Chloe a hot cup of coffee while filling out an official incident report at his wooden desk.
"You've got powerful enemies, don't you, miss?" Miller asked shrewdly, studying her calm demeanor. "Enemies who underestimate the reach of federal intelligence," Chloe replied with a cool, confident smile.
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She realized her vacation was over; you could not outrun a war when you were born to command the battlefield. She dialed her mother’s encrypted satellite phone number while walking back toward her rented Jeep Wrangler.
"Mother, they found me in Oregon; the syndicate is trying to tie up loose ends," Chloe reported calmly. "Get on my private jet immediately, Chloe; we are launching a preemptive strike against their remaining assets," Katherine ordered.
