Chapter 14 - The Hidden Escape Tunnel
While federal agents continued their search of the estate, Marcus Vance accompanied Daniel down into the Prohibition-era escape tunnel beneath the west wing. The narrow passageway was carved from solid granite, lined with ancient bricks, and illuminated by emergency lighting.
"This tunnel runs three hundred yards straight under the hill to the boathouse on Lake Seneca," Daniel explained, holding a flashlight as they walked down the damp stone corridor. "Richard was heading right for this door when we intercepted him."
At the end of the tunnel, behind a heavy reinforced steel door, lay the private boathouse. Inside, floating in the dark water, was a sleek, black high-speed racing boat equipped with twin 500-horsepower engines.
Marcus stepped onto the wooden dock, shining his light into the boat's cabin. On the passenger seat rested two leather duffel bags.
"Check those bags, Marcus," Daniel suggested.
Marcus unzipped the first duffel bag. Inside were stacked wrapped bundles of hundred-dollar bills, along with four untraceable bearer bonds worth five million dollars each. In the second bag were six forged diplomatic passports under various aliases, complete with international entry visas.
"He had his entire escape pre-planned," Marcus said, looking up at Daniel. "If he had made it to this boat, he would have been in international waters within two hours, floating on a yacht bound for South America."
"And he was going to take Lily with him as a human shield," Daniel said, his voice trembling with anger. "He would have raised her in exile, teaching her to hate us."
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"He failed, Daniel," Marcus said quietly, placing a firm, reassuring hand on Daniel's shoulder. "He failed because you fought for your family. And because Emily survived when no one else could have."
Daniel looked out through the open boathouse doors at the calm, rain-washed surface of Lake Seneca. The storm had finally passed, leaving behind a quiet, starlit sky. The long night of terror was finally giving way to the dawn.
