Chapter 10 - THE MIDNIGHT RAID
At precisely 2:00 AM, the heavy wrought-iron gates of the dining club rattled under the force of aggressive pounding.
Four local police cruisers blocked the front entrance, their red-and-blue emergency strobes painting the marble columns in garish neon.
Captain Hayes marched up the stone steps, waving a crumpled judicial search warrant like a badge of absolute invincibility.
"Open up in the name of the state! We have reason to believe illicit contraband is being harbored on these premises!" Hayes bellowed.
Inside the grand foyer, Elena stood by the reception desk, wearing her light blue uniform shirt as if nothing were amiss.
The heavy oak doors unlocked automatically, swinging open to reveal a dozen armed tactical officers storming the hallway.
"Hands on your head! Nobody move!" Captain Hayes screamed, drawing his service pistol and aiming it directly at Elena's chest.
Elena raised her hands slowly, her facial expression completely serene, her breathing calm and controlled.
May you like
"You're raiding the wrong building, Captain. Check your jurisdiction before you make a career-ending mistake," Elena warned quietly.
Hayes laughed harshly, stepping closer to cuff her wrists with heavy steel zip-ties. "Save your fairy tales for the holding cell, sweetheart."
