Chapter 16: The Trap is Set
Three days later, public word leaked through anonymous financial channels that the Benjamin Brooks Foundation was about to release a second, unredacted tranche of documents—files that would expose every high-ranking political figure and syndicate member involved in the county’s historical land grabs from twenty years prior.
The reaction was immediate, violent, and desperate.
Deep in a secure underground parking garage downtown, a sleek black sedan idled near a concrete pillar. Inside sat Victor Vance—Marcus’s older, far more dangerous brother and the actual financial architect of the syndicate. He slammed his fist against the leather armrest as his phone buzzed with frantic security updates.
"I don't care how much it costs!" Victor snarled into the secure satellite phone. "Eliminate the boy, eliminate Jack Carter, and burn that damn foundation to the ground before those files hit the federal registry!"
"Consider it done, sir," a cold, mechanical voice replied on the other end. "Our team is moving on Raven Lake Lodge tonight."
Victor hung up, smiling darkly. He believed he was holding all the cards. What he didn't know was that the entire leak had been a digital honeypot engineered by Daniel and Caleb.
Back at Raven Lake Lodge, the lights were dimmed. The perimeter sensors glowed green on Daniel’s monitoring consoles.
"They're tripping the northern gate sensors," Daniel announced quietly, his fingers dancing across the keyboard. "Five vehicles. Heavy tactical gear. They think they're executing a silent raid."
Jack stood by the massive stone fireplace, sliding his leather vest on and cinching his heavy belt. He looked at Ethan, who stood nearby wearing a reinforced tactical vest over his black shirt, a secure communications earpiece flashing a steady blue light.
"Stay behind the reinforced panic barrier in the study," Jack commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
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"I'm not hiding, Jack," Ethan said firmly, holding up a secure encrypted tablet that mirrored Daniel's feed. "I'm the one they came for. I'm staying right here in the command center."
Jack stared at him for a long moment, then nodded once. "Alright. But stay sharp. The wolves are coming."
