Chapter 11 - Dark Waters
In the pitch-black storm drain beneath the city, Ellie sprinted through ankle-deep water, holding Brinley close to her chest.
The dim light of her phone guided her through the rusted iron tunnels.
Suddenly, a flashlight beam cut through the darkness ahead.
"Ellie Carter!" a harsh voice echoed through the tunnel.
Ellie skidded to a halt. Two armed men in raincoats stepped into the tunnel, blocking the exit ladder that led up to the street level near the DA’s office.
"Give us the kid and the drive, lady," one of the men growled, raising a silenced pistol. "Reggie said no witnesses."
Ellie backed up slowly, her heart slamming against her ribs. She was trapped.
Suddenly, a loud splash echoed from the shadow behind the hitmen.
A dark figure emerged from the water like a phantom. It was Clara—the head housekeeper who had knocked Ellie out at the estate earlier.
Except Clara wasn't working for Reggie anymore.
Clara fired twice—swift, precise shots. The two hitmen collapsed into the rushing water with heavy splashes.
Ellie shrieked, backing against the cold brick wall. "Stay away from us!"
Clara lowered her weapon, wiping rain and mud from her cold face. "Relax, Ellie. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have made it past the coal chute."
"You shot at Jude!" Ellie yelled.
"I shot at the wall to make Reggie’s trackers think I was on their side," Clara snapped, stepping forward and pulling a dry coat from a waterproof bag. "Jude hired me ten years ago to protect his sister. I failed Elena. I won't fail her daughter."
Ellie stared at her in total disbelief. "You... you work for Jude?"
"I was his deep-cover operative inside his father's old guard," Clara explained quickly. "Now put this coat on the girl. We have fifteen minutes before Reggie realizes his hit squad is dead."
"Where are we going?" Ellie asked, her body shaking from cold and adrenaline.
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"To the courthouse," Clara said, helping Ellie up the rusted ladder. "Jude’s arraignment is in one hour. We’re going to blow Reggie’s story wide open in front of a federal judge."
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