Chapter 6 - Shadow Protocol
Outside, a sharp crack echoed through the grounds, sounding like a muffled firecracker.
"Stay down!" Marcus ordered, instantly pushing Elena and Leo behind the solid steel frame of the library desk.
The remaining security guard drew his sidearm, taking a defensive stance at the doorway. Marcus picked up his radio. "Jenkins! Status report!"
Static hissed through the radio before Jenkins’s strained voice came through. "Breach at the north gate! Victoria met two men from the SUV. They cut through the service perimeter! They're attempting to re-enter through the conservatory!"
"Lock down Sector B!" Marcus shouted into the receiver. "Do not let them reach the central corridor!"
He turned to Elena, his eyes piercing. "Victoria doesn't just want to escape. She knows the legal system will strip her of custody permanently after today. She’s trying to snatch Leo by force right now so she can cross state lines before the federal warrants are active."
"What do we do?" Elena asked, her voice shaking despite her efforts to remain brave. Leo began to whimper again, sensing the sudden spike in adrenaline filling the room.
"There is an emergency vault behind the bookshelf," Marcus said, pointing toward a false wall lined with ancient encyclopedias. "It was built by my grandfather during the Cold War. It has independent air filtration, hardened steel doors, and zero external network access. No one can breach it without heavy industrial tools."
"And what about you?" Elena asked.
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"I am going to handle my wife and the mercenaries she brought to my home," Marcus said quietly. "Take Leo inside. Do not open the door until you hear three distinct knocks, a pause, and then two more."
Elena swallowed her fear and nodded. "Be careful, Marcus."
