Chapter 38 - Admiral’s Gambit
Before we could mobilize, the cabin's satellite phone rang—a high-pitched electronic chirp that shattered the stillness of the room.
I signaled Chloe to remain completely silent. I drew my sidearm, tapped the speakerphone button, and waited.
"Lieutenant Hayes," a voice purred through the speaker. Smooth. Cultured. Perfectly calm.
Vice Admiral Vance.
"Admiral," I answered, keeping my heart rate locked down. "I assume you're calling to congratulate my father on the estate transfer?"
A dry chuckle came through the line. "Your father was an amateur, Evelyn. A greedy little bureaucrat who thought he could bargain with global maritime logistics. His death was an unfortunate administrative necessity. But you... you are a decorated officer. You understand chain of command."
"You killed Marcus's crew," I said, my knuckles turning white against the gun frame. "You sabotaged the *Hampton*."
"The *Hampton* was carrying proprietary tech that belonged to a consortium far larger than the United States Navy," Vance said dismissively. "Your brother refused to see the future. He became an obstruction. Just as you are becoming right now. Where is the drive, Evelyn?"
"Come find it yourself, Admiral. Lake Tahoe is very cold this time of year."
"I don't have to look for it," Vance replied coldly. "I have two drone platforms hovering over Donner Pass right now. You have twelve minutes before a Hellfire missile levels that cabin. Walk outside with your hands raised and the hard drive in your grip, or your sister burns with you."
The line went dead.
May you like
I looked at Chloe. The terror in her eyes was absolute.
"Get your boots on," I said, slinging the MPX over my shoulder. "We're going into the water."
