Chapter 53 - the digital hunt
Julian relocated his operations to the heavily fortified underground bunker beneath the Cross estate. He completely bypassed the federal authorities, knowing their bureaucratic protocols would only get Clara killed.
He utilized the family’s elite, private intelligence network, spearheaded by the brilliant Marcus Jr. They didn't look for Clara; they looked for the anomaly in the matrix.
"Whoever took her possesses military-grade cloaking technology," Marcus Jr. analyzed, his fingers flying across multiple illuminated keyboards. "But they made one mistake. The burner phone used to send the ransom text pinged a rogue cell tower for exactly three seconds."
"Where?" Julian demanded, his voice devoid of any human emotion.
"An abandoned, high-security naval shipyard on the eastern seaboard," Marcus Jr. confirmed. "It’s a fortress. Solid concrete walls, automated defense turrets, and heavy mercenary patrols."
Julian didn't hesitate. He walked over to the massive steel vault at the back of the room, spinning the heavy combination lock. He pulled out a matte-black tactical rifle and a customized combat knife.
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"Get the extraction team ready," Julian ordered coldly. "We leave in ten minutes."
👉 read part 54 to see the assault begin.
