Chapter 38 - The Federal Convoy
The first vehicles arrived thirty minutes later.
Black SUVs surrounded the ferry terminal while armed federal agents ordered everyone to leave the underground facility. Their commander identified Eli as a protected witness taken from government custody.
Eli hid behind Mara.
“I’ve never seen them before.”
The commander produced documents containing Eli’s photograph, fingerprints and medical history. According to the records, his legal name was Samuel Kessler, and he had disappeared from a secure residence six weeks earlier.
Mara noticed something strange.
The childhood photograph attached to the file had been taken inside Raven House.
“They created these records after finding him,” she told Daniel.
Elias stepped between Mara and the agents.
The commander studied him.
“Mr. Kade, your cooperation agreement requires you to surrender the child.”
Mara looked at Elias.
“What cooperation agreement?”
Elias closed his eyes.
He admitted that after waking at Blackwater Pier, he had been approached by a federal task force. They promised to help him locate the original Elias if he monitored Mara.
“Were you ever my husband?” Mara asked.
“I don’t know.”
The commander extended his hand toward Eli.
The boy refused to move.
Then every vehicle in the convoy unlocked at once.
Their radios transmitted Celeste’s voice.
“The task force has been compromised. Ask Commander Holt why his fingerprints belong to a man buried in Virginia.”
One agent slowly turned toward Holt.
May you like
Holt raised his hands.
But his face was already changing.
