Chapter 7
THE BETRAYAL OF TRUST
The silver skull mask skittered across the polished floor.
The LED flashlight beam illuminated the intruder’s face.
Mira gasped aloud, her hands flying to her mouth in shock.
Dr. Vance dropped his flashlight, letting out a horrified groan.
It wasn't a hired mercenary or an unknown assassin.
It was Sarah Miller, the estate’s trusted head archivist.
Sarah’s eyes widened in sheer terror as she was exposed.
She clutched her bleeding ankle where Bruno had bitten her.
"Sarah?" Bastian breathed out, his voice laced with disbelief.
"You... you’ve been with the family for twelve years."
Sarah let out a bitter, ugly laugh, blood pooling on her lip.
"Twelve years of organizing your dusty ledgers, Bastian."
"Twelve years of watching you step on everyone to reach the top."
"You destroyed my father’s company just like Rosalyn’s."
"You swallowed our assets, forced foreclosure, and walked away."
"You didn't even remember his name when you ruined him."
Mira looked down at little Evan, who was barely conscious now.
The boy’s eyes were drooping heavily against his mother’s memory.
"Mr. Calder, we don't have time for a confession!" Mira cried.
"Evan needs the antidote right now! Where is she keeping it?"
Bastian knelt beside Sarah, grabbing her collar tightly.
He hoisted her upright with terrifying physical strength.
"Where is Rosalyn?" Bastian demanded, his voice shaking.
"Where did she take the antidote?"
Sarah smiled weakly, blood dripping down her chin.
"You’re too late, Bastian."
"The antidote isn't in the house."
"It’s at the private airstrip ten miles away."
"Rosalyn is already on her private jet headed for Zurich."
"And Evan has less than thirty minutes before his lungs shut down."
The words hit Bastian like a physical blow to the chest.
He stared at Sarah in stunned, paralyzed horror.
Ten miles through a blinding, flooding autumn storm.
Blocked roads, fallen trees, and a locked perimeter.
"No," Bastian whispered, his fierce composure cracking.
"No, my son is not going to die tonight."
Mira stepped forward, her face set with unbreakable determination.
She knelt beside Evan and lifted him into her arms.
Her white apron was stained with dust and tears.
"Mr. Calder, listen to me," Mira said firmly.
"There is an old utility ATV in the estate’s back shed."
"It has heavy-duty off-road tires and a winch."
"It can navigate the flooded timber trails behind the property."
"It cuts the distance to the airstrip down to four miles."
Bastian snapped out of his momentary despair instantly.
He looked at Mira with profound respect and burning hope.
"Let’s move," Bastian ordered, scooping Evan into his arms.
"Dr. Vance, tie her up and lock her in the vault."
They raced down the secondary servants' staircase into the dark.
The storm outside battered the ancient walls of Calder Manor.
Mira led the way through the labyrinthine underground cellars.
They reached the heavy wooden back exit leading to the shed.
Mira unlatched the heavy iron bolt with wet, freezing fingers.
The door swung open to reveal the pouring rain and roaring wind.
The utility ATV sat waiting under a corrugated tin roof.
Bastian climbed into the driver’s seat, settling Evan safely between them.
Mira climbed in right beside Bastian, gripping the safety bar.
"Hold on tight, Evan," Mira whispered in the boy's ear.
Bastian slammed his foot down on the accelerator pedal.
May you like
The engine roared to life with a deafening mechanical scream.
[Cliffhanger: As the ATV tears through the estate gates, a massive bolt of lightning strikes the main highway bridge ahead, collapsing it into the roaring river below.]
