Chapter 17 - The Pursuit
Emerging from the hidden tunnel near the edge of the estate's sprawling gardens, the night air was biting and cold. The rain had begun to fall in heavy, slanted sheets, soaking Emily’s dress within seconds.
In the distance, the loud, whining roar of a twin-engine private helicopter echoed across the estate's private helipad.
"They're taking the family chopper to the international airport!" Daniel shouted over the sound of the rain and engine noise.
He sprinted toward the estate garage, with Emily right on his heels. Arthur, exhausted and unable to run, took cover inside the gardener's shed to call the state police from a landline.
Daniel kicked open the side door of the executive garage, slamming his hand against the key rack and grabbing the fob for his custom matte-black SUV.
"Get in!" Daniel yelled, throwing open the passenger door for Emily.
She leapt into the passenger seat, pulling the seatbelt tight as the powerful V8 engine roared to life. Daniel slammed the vehicle into gear, tires screaming against the slick concrete as they tore out of the garage and onto the winding private drive leading toward the helipad.
Up ahead, through the sweeping windshield wipers, they could see the helicopter's rotors spinning rapidly into a blur. Margaret and Vanessa were halfway up the passenger boarding steps, carrying heavy metallic briefcases.
"They're about to lift off!" Emily cried out, pointing through the glass.
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"Not on my watch," Daniel growled.
Instead of stopping at the perimeter fence, Daniel accelerated, driving the heavy SUV directly onto the open tarmac, cutting off the helicopter's ground clearance path!
