Chapter 7 - The Road to Nashville
At 8:00 AM on Friday, forty heavyweight cruiser motorcycles rumbled down Main Street in tight formation.
The Iron Hawks Brotherhood—Marcus's former military veteran motorcycle organization—had arrived from three states to escort the family to the federal courthouse in Nashville.
At the head rode Bear, a towering Marine veteran who embraced Ethan like family.
"We looked for you for eighteen years, kid," Bear said.
"Your mother Emily was the sweetest girl this club ever knew."
As the convoy surged down Interstate 65, three blacked-out utility vans sent by Vance attempted to ram the pickup truck off the highway.
With military precision, the Iron Hawks executed a defensive box formation, shielding the truck and forcing the attackers into a state police roadblock at Exit 82.
At the federal courthouse, twelve-year-old Maya cried because she had lost her lucky charm bracelet in the house fire.
Ethan gently removed the heavy silver hawk-and-anchor ring from his neck and wrapped the sterling chain around Maya's small wrist.
"You're the guardian of the anchor today, Maya," Ethan smiled, kissing her forehead.
Inside Courtroom 1A, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sterling played Emily's cassette tape over the courtroom sound system.
Emily's soft, radiant voice filled the massive chamber:
"Hi, my sweet baby Ethan... The doctors say my fever is getting worse... but I wanted to make sure you had my voice... A man named Harrison Vance came to my bedside offering to take you away. I told him no. I told him nobody would ever separate us... Be brave. Be honest. And always buy breakfast for a stranger who needs a friend."
The entire courtroom, including hardened federal marshals, broke down in tears.
Judge Montgomery slammed her gavel down with furious authority.
May you like
"Harrison Vance, I order your immediate remand into custody without bail. All assets of Apex Holdings are officially seized under the RICO Act!"
The gallery erupted into a standing ovation as Vance was led away in chains.
