Chapter 13 - Midnight at Pier 8Rain poured in torrential sheets over Elliott Bay. Pier 8 was a derelict, abandoned shipping terminal, its wooden planks rotting into the dark, churning water below.
At 11:15 PM, a black Maybach pulled up to the edge of the dark pier. Julian Vance stepped out wearing a heavy trench coat, holding a leather briefcase tightly against his chest.
Out of the shadows of a rusted shipping container stepped Gideon—a tall, imposing man with a scarred face, wearing a soaked oilskin jacket.
"You're late, Vance," Gideon growled, wiping rain from his eyes. "Where's the money?"
"It's all here," Julian said nervously, his voice shaking above the roar of the wind. "Two million in bearer bonds. Now give me the original hard drive with the offshore transfer logs from four years ago. Once this is done, you leave the state and never come back."
Gideon smirked, pulling a small metallic drive from his pocket. "It's a pleasure doing business with an affectionate father."
Julian snatched the drive and threw the briefcase toward Gideon.
Gideon caught the bag, popping the latches to verify the bonds inside. But before he could close it, bright floodlights suddenly roared to life from three industrial cranes surrounding the pier.
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"POLICE! DROP YOUR WEAPONS AND GET ON THE GROUND!"
Sirens blared into the night air as SWAT vehicles blocked the entrance to the pier, their headlights blinding both men.
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