Chapter 5
The Chase at Terminal 4
The neon signs of John F. Kennedy International Airport blared through the heavy rainstorm as Beatrice’s black SUV pulled up to the curb of Terminal 4. It was 10:45 PM. Julian’s flight to Zurich was scheduled to board in exactly forty-five minutes.
Marcus, a trusted security specialist hired by the Montgomerys, stayed with Leo in the parked vehicle, ensuring his oxygen tank was secure, while Beatrice and Elena hurried through the sliding glass doors into the bustling departure terminal.
The crowd was a sea of moving suitcases, tourists, and flashing flight boards. Elena’s heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. "How do we find him? There are thousands of people here."
"He won't be using the main check-in counter," Beatrice said, scanning the first-class lounge entrance. "He has cash and a premium ticket. He'll try to blend in with the business travelers."
They split up slightly, keeping each other within eyesight as they bypassed the main ticket lines. Elena walked past the security checkpoint entrance, her eyes darting through the crowd. Suddenly, she spotted a familiar silhouette near a coffee kiosk.
It was Julian. He was wearing a baseball cap pulled low, a heavy leather jacket, and carried a single, expensive duffel bag. He looked nervous, his eyes constantly checking his watch as he reached into his pocket to pull out a dark blue passport cover.
"Julian!" Elena’s voice rang out, cutting through the ambient roar of the airport announcements.
Julian froze. He turned around slowly, his face turning an unearthly shade of white as he saw his wife standing twenty feet away. Instead of apologizing or stepping forward, his survival instinct kicked in—he turned and bolted toward the premium security line.
"Stop him!" Beatrice shouted, appearing from the opposite side of the corridor, signaling two Port Authority police officers stationed near the metal detectors. "That man is traveling under a fraudulent identity and carrying stolen corporate cash!"
Julian threw his duffel bag at the first officer, trying to push through the glass barrier of the automated gate. The alarms began to blare, a high-pitched, deafening scream that drew the attention of hundreds of passengers.
Elena ran forward, her service training making her faster than she looked. She tackled Julian from behind, her fingers ripping the leather jacket from his shoulders as they both crashed onto the polished linoleum floor. The duffel bag burst open, and thick stacks of hundred-dollar bills poured out, scattering across the floor like autumn leaves.
May you like
"Get off me!" Julian screamed, struggling as the two police officers slammed him face-first onto the ground, pulling his arms behind his back. "You're ruining my life! I was doing this for us, Elena! I was going to send you the money!"
Beatrice stepped over the scattered cash, looking down at him with utter disgust. "Save it for the judge, Julian. You aren't going to Zurich. You're going to a state penitentiary."
